The Wheel: Journal of Bicycling, Vol 6, No 7
Articles in this issue
- Commander N. Malon Beckwith issues detailed instructions for the L.A.W. parade on May 20, 1884 in Washington D.C., covering formation order, division structure, riding conduct, and the full parade route from the Arlington Hotel through Pennsylvania Avenue and back.
- The League's official organ committee presents three competing proposals for the L.A.W.'s official publication: from H.E. Ducker of the Springfield Wheelmen's Gazette, from E.C. Hodges & Co. of the Bicycling World, and from Baird & Company of the Amateur Athlete, with full terms and pricing for each.
- George A. Wells of New York questions the financial accounting of the 1883 Springfield tournament, arguing that attendance figures of 50,000 cited by the Springfield Gazette imply gross receipts far exceeding the deficit reported by the Springfield Bicycle Club, and demands an explanation of where the money went.
- The L.A.W. rules committee proposes amendments to the League constitution covering presidential powers, the annual race meeting, mail voting procedures, the Racing Board's authority, and a revised definition of amateur status excluding paid teachers of athletics.
- The board of trustees of the Citizens Bicycle Club of New York, signed by President T. McKee Brown and others, formally announces the club's withdrawal from the L.A.W., citing concern that its membership has come under the effective control of the national organization.
- Correspondence from Washington D.C. covers preparations for the L.A.W. annual meet, including Capital Bicycle Club spring races on May 17th featuring a five-mile race between Hanna, Borden, and Stuart, a polo match against Smithville N.J., and news that cross-country riders Woodside and Morgan have abandoned their planned New York to San Francisco ride.
- Richard Nelson of New York writes a sharp attack on L.A.W. Treasurer and Corresponding Secretary W.V. Gilman, accusing him of improperly delaying a mail vote and enclosing a partisan private circular at League expense during the Jenkins membership dispute.
- L.A.W. President N. Malon Beckwith announces the appointment of Fred A. Fielding of Bozeman, Montana as Chief Counsel for Montana, along with Knight L. Clapp of Staten Island and F.B. Graves of Rochester as additional New York State Representatives.
- Professional cyclists Woodside and Morgan write from Washington D.C. to explain their decision to abandon their projected bicycle ride from New York to San Francisco after their first two exhibitions proved financial failures, though they express confidence they could complete the journey in seventy days under better-organized conditions.
- Frank A. Egan, New York Representative to the L.A.W., reports remitting $209 in donations to the League Relief Fund from contributors including Col. A.A. Pope ($50), A.L. Fennessy ($20), and N. Malon Beckwith ($10), bringing the total cash subscriptions to $359 with $45 more pledged.
- Boston correspondent 'Lewee' reports on the Massachusetts Club's delegates to the Washington meet including Col. A.A. Pope and E.W. Pope, the election of E.W. Pope as club Captain, and local cycling news including Harry Tufts receiving a nickel-plated Expert Columbia and a planned three-day Brockton tournament in the fall.
- Brief editorial notes report that Mark Twain has become the latest convert to wheeling, comment on the Springfield Club's lobbying at Washington, note the new Duryea saddle for Star Bicycles, and announce the Kings County Wheelmen race meeting on June 21st at the Williamsburgh Athletic Club's five-lap track.
- Editor Fred Jenkins publishes a full account of his dispute with the Springfield Bicycle Club over $49 in unpaid subscriptions, acknowledging he was hasty to accuse the whole club when only individual members had declined to pay, publicly apologizing, and requesting reinstatement to active L.A.W. membership at the Washington meeting.
- The official list of new L.A.W. membership applicants (numbered 1680 through 2039) covers candidates from Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Indiana, Missouri, Ohio, Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, with instructions that objections must be filed with the Corresponding Secretary within two weeks.