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FEDERATION OF WHEELMEN.
Combination of the Bicycle Clubs of California.
In response to a call issued by a committee of the San Francisco Bicycle Club, the oldest association of wheelmen in the State, a largely attended meeting was held last night at the rooms of that organization on Golden Gate avenue. The following clubs wero represented, either by the three delegates to which each was entitled or by proxies: Bay City Wheelmen, Alameda Bicycle and Athletic Club, Olympic Club Bicycle Annex, San Francisco Bicycle Club, Capital City Cycle Club of Sacramento, Fresno Wheelmen, San Jose Road Club, California Cycle Club, Pacific Road Club, Alameda County Wheelmen, Oriental Cyclers and Monterey Bicycle Club, After considerable preliminary conversation the meeting was called to order, and T. R. Knox, president of the San Francisco Bicycle Club responded to a unanimous call to act as temporary chairman, M. S. Lavenson of Sacramento being chosen as temporary secretary. After remarks by Mr. Knox and R. Welch explanatory of the objects for which the meeting was called, a draft of the proposed by-laws was read in order to invite discussion.
Brief but spirited and pertinent addresses were then wade by Messre. Dunnigan, Mastick, Lavenson, Wynne and Cobden. President Wynne of the California Club was especially happy in his remarks, touching lightly on recent club conflicts, which were more imaginary than real, and strongly urging all the organizations to act as unit in future. Thomas S. Cobden spoke in his usual humorous vein, but dealt largely in facts and closed by pointing out the necessity of all the clubs joining the League of American Wheelmen.
Harry Greene of Monterey, one of the veterans of the league on this coast, explained the advantages of membership in such powerful organization. A. H. Greeley of Fresno pledged the support of the San Joaquin Valley to the scheme of a federation of clubs.
Telegrams and letters were received from several far distant clubs regretting their inability to be represented at the convention, but heartily approving of the idea.
The sentiment of the meeting was unanimously in favor of forming an organization to be known as the California Associated Cycling Clubs. Secretary Lavenson stated that it would be impossible for him to act further than on this occasion, and H. T. Wynne was chosen in his stead. After considerable desultory discussion, which revealed a pleasant spirit of harmony, the meeting adjourned, to meet next Saturday night at the Bay City clubhouse on Van Ness avenue.
The evident success of the recently proposed scheme for a closer federation of the wheelmen of California marks the beginning of a new and more progressive era in the annals of cycling op the Pacific Coast.
The success of the meeting held on Saturday night at the San Francisco Clubhouse, at which preliminary steps were taken in the formation of an association of California clubs, is most gratifying to all who have the best interests of wheeling at heart. The utmost harmony prevailed, and it is hoped and expected that the few clubs not represented will send delegates to the next meeting, which will be held in the parlors of the Bay City Wheelmen on Saturday evening, August 13. The most important work done at the first meeting was the adoption of the following articles of association, subject, of course, to revision by the various clubs to which they will be officially submitted as soon as permanent organization is effected:
In order to promote the general welfare and usefulness of cycling clubs, and to secure harmony of action, together with the practical benefits to be derived from personal acquaintance and association and from the consideration of subjects of importance to the cycling interests of this state, especially in order to foster and encourage the growth of the League of American Wheelmen within this State, and to cooperate with that organization in creating public sentiment in favor of highway improvement and in influencing legislation favorable thereto; and in order to encourage racing both on the path and road - first, by establishing and contesting championships to be known as Pacific Coast championships, and second, by assuming control of regulating and legislating for road-racing within this state, and by receiving and passing upon all claims for records made on the road, whether in competition or against time, at stated distances or between certain well-known points - a federation of the cycling clubs of California is formed by the adoption of the following articles of association:
Article 1. The name of this association shall be the California Associated Cycling Clubs.
Article 2. Any cycling club within the State of California may become a member of this association upon the payment of such annual dues as shall be provided by the by-laws, subject to the approval of a majority of the board of governors; and any club may be expelled from this association upon a vote of two-thirds of those present in person and by proxy at any regular meeting of the board of governors.
Each club shall, prior to the 10th day of August in each year, elect three delegates to the board of governors.
Article 3. The administration of the affairs of the Association shall be vested in a board of governors consisting of three delegates from each club, to be elected annually as hereinbefore provided. It shall have the power to make bylaws for the guidance of the association and to generally direct and decide to all matters not provided for in this constitution.
The officers of this association shall be a president, two vice-presidents and a secretary-treasurer, to be elected annually by the board of governors at its first meeting after the 10th day of August.
Article 4. At any meeting of the board of governors a delegate may hold and vote the proxies of one or all of the other delegates from his club, and a delegate may give his proxy to the secretary-treasurer with instructions as to use, and a proxy so given shall be voted only in accordance with such instructions.
Article 5. There shall be the following standing committees of the association, each to consist of three members, and, except as otherwise ordered, to be appointed by the president, subject to the confirmation of the board of governors: Executive and finance, to consist of the president and the two vice-presidents; membership and inter-club relation, rules and regulations, political action, championships, road racing and records.
Article 6. These articles of association can be altered or amended only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the clubs of the association.
The L. A. W. has a formidable war on its hands. Many of the Western delegates to the annual meeting, at Albany, feel they were mistreated and that the Eastern divisions did not give proper consideration to the interests of Western wheelmen. There is strong talk of secession in Colorado, Utah, California and other Western States, and it looks as if a formidable Western league might soon be organized.
The proposed split comes mainly on the rock of Sunday racing. E. S. Hartwell, ex-treasurer of the L. A. W., has stirred up the Denver wheelmen and several important meetings have been held.
The L. A. W. leaders in Northern California are badly divided on the subject of secession. While many prominent men favor a split, others are as strongly against it. H. F. Wynne, vice consul for the California division, is strongly in favor of the organization of a Western league, and of severing connection with the L. A. W. He says the league membership last year cost California $598, from which not one cent's worth of benefit was derived.
George Stratter of the local Racing Board, and Stanely Scoveren, secretarytreasurer of the Caliíornia division, agree with him. On the other hand, A. P. Swain, president of the California Associated Cycling Clubs, and G. C. Strong, the first league member in the State, are in favor of maintaining the league intact. Swain declares if the matter were submitted to a vote the L. A. W. members would decide to stay with the old organization. The racing men generally favor secession. No immediate action on the matter is expected.
Several Western professional riders have started a boycott on the National meet of the L. A. W., to be held in Philadelphia, and it is difficult to see how all this dissension is to be healed.
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