The Wheel: Journal of Bicycling, Vol 6, No 4
Articles in this issue
- Signed "F. J.," an account of two Citizens' Club members (including Mr. M. E. Graves) scouting Washington for the coming L.A.W. meet, describing the Arlington Hotel headquarters opposite the White House, the five-thousand-seat cinder race track, and the banquet planned at Willard's Hotel.
- The Maryland "Secretary" answers The Owl and Karl Kron, arguing the League should cordially invite non-League riders to join its Washington parade rather than exclude them by coercion, likened to England's policy toward Ireland.
- A letter signed "R. B. R." urges the L.A.W. to appoint a committee to compile a uniform military-style drill and field-organization manual modeled on U.S. Army cavalry tactics, so clubs can parade in concert at national meets.
- A Washington correspondent reports final meet arrangements, confirming the Arlington headquarters and Willard's banquet and detailing the roughly twelve-mile parade route rerouted west of the Capitol after an 1882 act forbade processions on the Capitol Grounds.
- P. N. Myers, Secretary and Treasurer of the K.W.C., reports Kentucky's legislature passed a bill championed by Mr. Merriweather of Jefferson fining anyone riding a bicycle or tricycle on the highways of Jefferson, Kenton and other counties, with wheelmen raising funds to test its constitutionality unless Governor Knott vetoes it.
- Corresponding Secretary Duane E. Fox announces the Capital Bicycle Club's annual spring races at the Athletic Park on May 17, 1884, with a one-mile novice race and one- and three-mile handicaps, entries closing May 15th.
- Albert Trego, chairman of Maryland's railroad committee, lists reduced Baltimore & Ohio round-trip fares (bicycles carried free from most cities) from Chicago, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Pittsburg, Philadelphia and elsewhere for wheelmen attending the Washington meet.
- A dated calendar of forthcoming fixtures, including the Citizens' BC race meeting, Woodside and Morgan's transcontinental start on May 1, the L.A.W.'s Washington business meeting, parade and championship races, and the C.T.C. American Branch meet at Poughkeepsie.
- A department of club news and officer-election results from across the U.S. and Canada, covering the Washington Cycle, Heights Wheelmen, Brooklyn, Trojan Wheelmen, Akron and Pawtucket clubs, plus the Montreal Bicycle Club's record 932-mile season.
- A poem signed "J. G. D." in Swinburnian cadence, answering verses on the supposed terrors of cycling by celebrating riders' fearless hearts, elation of speed, and liberating escape from the weary world.
- An experienced Philadelphia rider (signed "H. S. W.") gives a detailed turn-by-turn road guide between the cities via Jersey City, Newark, Elizabeth, Plainfield, Bound Brook, Somerville, Hopewell, Trenton and Camden, with road surfaces, mileages and an optional Delaware & Raritan Canal towpath detour.
- Boston correspondent "Lewee" reports wet weather hampering riding, Boston horses' calm around bicycles versus New York's, praise for Colonel Albert A. Pope funding counsel against the Kentucky bill, and club gossip including the Massachusetts BC's new clubhouse and English professional Robert James's planned move to Boston.
- An editorial appeal and pledge list (totaling $338 so far) toward a $500 fund for the League's championship race meeting, with $50 from Col. A. A. Pope, $100 from the New York State Division and other named subscribers, donations addressed to Frank A. Egan.
- Fred Jenkins reprints the full appeal filed by Pennsylvania and Maryland officers (including Chief Consul George Sanderson Jr. and Albert Trego) against the Board's barring of non-League clubs from the parade and his own expulsion, and exposes the Corresponding Secretary for mailing an unofficial counter-circular alongside the official appeal.
- The official department, over the name of Cor. Secretary W. V. Gilman, listing new applicants for League membership by state division (Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Missouri, New York, Connecticut, Ohio and others), published per Article III so members may file objections.