S?2 
Grant Day. 
The bicycle lias advantages for sight-seeing tbat are not 
always appreciated. Under certain conditions no better 
means for viewing parades could be devised. 
On the occasion of the Grant parade, at the dedication of 
ijtrant's Tomb, in which an army of men marched equal to 
ihat which Greece has in the field against the Turks, the 
bicycle was peculiarly adaptedfor gaining an insight into the 
most interesting features. 
On the west side of Riverside Drive the new cycle path 
runs to within a very short distance of the tomb, and is also, 
along its whole extent, within a few feet of the top of the 
bluff overlooking the Hudson, thus affording a view of the 
naval parade as well as the land pageant. While the cycle 
path was crowded with pedestrians before the parade began, 
ibe moment the first horsemen appeared, the spectators 
rushed to the edge of the main driveway, and the path was 
comparatively deserted. The cyclist then had half a mile or 
more of unobstructed riding. As a rule, he could see over 
the heads of the crowd ; but where this was not possible it 
was an easy matter to secure a belter view by leaning his 
machine against a tree and standing on the seat. 
When tedious delays occurred, he had something to sit on, 
with tree or fence for brace, and when any particularly in- 
teresting feature came along he could follow parallel with 
the course and see as much as he desired. 
The best part of the parade, in the opinion of a rider who 
gives his experience, was President McKinley, taken both 
subjectively and objectively. The wheelman followed him 
and noted how the roar of applause from the nearest of tbe 
million odd spectators burst out and kept, pace with his ad- 
vancing carriage, while the President bowed and smiled, and 
looked as pleased as a boy who has received a flattering com- 
pliment, Grover Gleveland, who followed close behind, 
looked Uase acd relieved. No doubt the nest best thing to 
being a newly-elected President in the first blush of conquest 
is to be a new ex-President with a freedon from the respon- 
sibilities of office just attained. 
Riverside Drive was an extremely bleak and chilly place 
during the parade. The wind blew with the force of a hur- 
ricane, and it had a bitter rawness suggestive of pneumonia. 
Ambulances were frequently called lor to carry away per- 
sons suifering from chdls and like ccmplaints, and some of 
the half -frozen spectators remarked, "Grant will kill as many 
at this dedication as he did before he died." 
As a general thing, the people who suffered were those who 
had to keep still to retain aOvantageous positions. The bi- 
cycle rider who could wheel up and down was not troubled 
with congested circulation. 
WHEELING NOTES. 
Caetek Harrison, the recently elected mayor of Chicago, 
is a member of the L. A. W,, and an enthusiabtic wheelman. 
No doubt a part of the tremendous majority with which he 
went into office is due to this fact. Chicsgo has a large bi- 
cycle vote, and the wheelmen gave enthusiastic support to 
tbe man who, as a cyclist, rode 4,400 miles last year, includ- 
ing twelve centuries, and who pledged himself to keep the 
streets clean. 
Already the new mayor has shown appreciation for this 
support by using his influence to bring to a favorable issue 
the State Bicycle Baggage bill, which had become shelved 
in the Legislature, and seemea fated to meet an untimely 
end. 
The result of the yacht conference of last week is doubt- 
less disappointing to many who participated in it, as much 
less was done than was possible, and, as we believe, desira- 
ble. At the same time such positive action has been taken 
as to assure the continuance of the work through the sum- 
mer, with its probable successful completion, so far as the 
first stage is concerned, in the early fall. 
The opportunity that, though not lost, was by no means 
fully utilized, was a rare one; the gathering being most sat- 
isfactory in point of numbers and the character of the repre- 
sentation. New York was represented by several of the men 
who are directly responsible for the very successful organiza- 
tion and maintenance of the Sound Y, R. A., by the organ- 
izer and head of the older New York Y. R. A., and by able 
and inflential representatives of the two large clubs not con- 
nected with the Union. The New York Y. C, of course, was 
not represented; but that was not to be expected. But one 
representative was present from Boston, but he, both per- 
sonally and as the President of the Massachusetts Y. R A., 
was in every way qualified; and he took an active and useful 
part in the discussion. Canada was represented by Com. 
Jarvis, of the Royal Canadian Y. C, President of the 
Y. R. U. of the Great Lakes, and by Mr. Ambrose of 
the Royal Hamilton Y. C. President of the Lake Y. R. 
A. of Ontario; these gentlemen having had a double experi- 
ence in similar work both in the Lake Y. R. A., organized in 
1884 as a union of the yacht clubs on the Canadian and 
American sides of Lake Ontario, and last year in the organ- 
ization of Union of the Great Lakes. The American repre- 
sentatives from fresh water were ex-Com. Berriman, of the 
Lincoln Park Y. C. of Chicago, owner of Yencedor, repre- 
senting the Lake Michigan Y. A., and Com. Richardson of 
Toledo, representing the Interlake Y. A. of Lake Erie. 
From the Par West was Mr, Macdonough of the Pacific Y. 
C, representing the Pacific Inter-club Y. A. The Delaware 
River was represented by Mr. Bancroft of the Corinthian 
Y. C. of Philadelphia, a veteran in club work, and by Mr. 
J. W. Jeanes, and the Great South Bay was also represented. 
Practically the only localities not represented were the Gulf 
and Southern coasts and the smaller interior lakes of the 
middle West. 
Nearly all of those present were specially qualified by ex- 
perience in the line of club work and interclub organization, 
as well as by familiarity with the wishes and needs of their 
clubs, for the task in hand. 
It was plainly evident that the feeling of the majority was 
in favor of immediate action to the extent of forming an 
organization with a name and the necessary oflicers; many 
believing that the real work of securing satisf ctory rules 
could be better accomplished in this way than by deferring 
until the rules were made by a committee. Had a vote been 
taken on any of the different motions to organize at once, 
the motion would have had a decided — probably a two- 
thirds — majority. At the same time there was an obvious 
disinclination to press the matter in the face of the limited, 
but very positive, opposition to immediate action. It is 
worth noting that the men who had traveled from 500 to 
1 000 miles in sleeping oars to attend the meeting were in 
favor of action, while those who had merely come up town 
after lunch by the Broadway cable cars were strongly 
against anything more than the appointment ot a committee 
to report in the future. 
FOREST AND STREAM, 
I' In the course of the meeting a very decided difference of 
opinion became apparent. On the part of some, the main 
end in view is the adoption of uniform racing rules by indi- 
vldua-l and separate clubs, with no more of an organization 
than is necessary. This much was done ten years ago in the 
conferences of the New York, Larchmont, Seawanhaka and 
Atlantic clubs, by which the uniform classification by water- 
line length was agreed upon, each club still being absolutely 
independent of the others. 
_ In our opinion, such a loose cooperation as this cannot ex- 
ist among the large number of clubs throughout the coun- 
try, and it is a mere waste of time to attempt it. 
With the best possible management, and with a reasonably 
good measurement rule in hand, an immense amount of 
work is still to be done among the body of the clubs before 
one measurement rule is universally accepted and enforced. 
This work can only be done by a strong and permanent or- 
ganization, having the confidence of the clubs, and with a 
certain amount of authority that shall be recognized by all. 
If such an organization is not possible, then it is useless to 
labor for unity of action among independent and disunited 
clubs. 
It is entirely too narrow a view of the subject to put the 
measurement rule in the first and only place, as the sole end 
and aim of yachting. Its importance cannot be denied, but 
there are many other things to be obtained by tbe intelligent 
cooperation of yachtsmen and yacht clubs. The true object 
of such an association as we hope to seeshould be to promote 
all the interests of yachting, to bind yachtsmen into one 
common fraternity, to promote intercourse and a good feel- 
ing between different sections, to utilize the combined skill, 
enthusiasm and intelligence of American yachtsmen for the 
advancement of the sport, both socially and technically. 
The general atf airs of such a body should be in the hands 
of a representative council or committee of a dozen or so; it 
should have, in this committee or another, a court of last re- 
sort to which the clubs would gladly appeal all disputes 
with a certainty of a fair and impartial decision that would 
relieve them of responsibility; it should have committees 
composed of experts competent to deal with such things as 
measurement formulae, limitation of construction and knotty 
points in the sailing rules. We should be glad to see it go 
even further, and after the manner of many technical soci- 
eties, such as the Association of Naval Architects in Great 
Britain and our own Society of Naval Architects and Marine 
Engineers, make its annual meetings both interesting and 
of permanent value by the presentation and discussion of 
papers on yachting topics Such meetings in New York, 
Boston, Toronto, Chicago, Philadelphia, Toledo or Buffalo, 
from year to year, would make a fitting ending to the racing 
season and weld the yachtsmen of the country into a really 
national body. 
There is nothing impossible or chimerical in such a plan; 
it is nothing more than is done to a greater or lesser extent 
by other associations devoted to sport or business. Great 
as the difference is between yachting and canoeing, the ex- 
ample of the latter sport, in forming a suscessful national 
organization for many of these ends is not beneath the notice 
of yachtsmen. 
We are quite in accord with those who at the meeting 
counseled against hasty action and were in favor of going 
slowly; but at the same time, we believe that if any action is 
to be taken the time has come for it. There has been enough 
done in preparing the way for an organization; that way is 
now clearly open, and the sooner it is entered upon the bet- 
ter. The need for caution and deliberation only comes when 
the association is positively organized, with adequate, but 
simple executive and legislative machinery in operation. 
Then is the time to go slowly in the extension of the general 
plan as experience shall indicate, in the elimination of points 
of difference in phraseology, etc., in the sailing rules and the 
systematization of general racing methods; in the thorough 
consideration of the measurement question and the gradual 
adoption of a new rule. 
We have no doubt whatever that the meeting in October 
will result in the formation of an associatian \srMch will in- 
clude the great majority of American yacht clubs, of course 
using the word in its broadest sense to include the continent 
of North America. Whether it will include practically all 
of these clubs except the New York Y. C, and what success 
it will meet with in the first year or two, depends now en- 
tirely upon the action of the new committee; whether it at- 
tempts too little in providing for a mere concert of clubs on 
the measurement question; whether it attempts too much in 
providing a scheme of elaborate and extensive details, some 
of which will be objected to by different clubs; or whether it 
takes a middle course in providing for a strong but simple 
organization that may extend itself as experience directs. 
No professional stenographer was present at the meeting 
on Saturday, and no attempt was maue to take down in full 
the continuous and animated discussion. Our report is com- 
piled from notes carefully taken, and is, we believe, correct 
in substance; but if any of the speakers are misquoted, or 
any material errors have been made, we shall be glad to 
know the facts. 
The telegram from the commodore of the Philadelphia Y. 
C. expresses the sentiments of many yachtsmen and yacht 
clubs throughout the country; it is a pity that some of the 
views that found expression and carried much weight at the 
meeting were so much less broad and progressive. 
The Yacht Conference. 
STEW TOKK, SATURDAY, MAT 1, 
The conference of representatives of the yachting associa- 
tions and clubs of the United States and Canada was held as 
arranged, at the Fifth Avenue Hotel, New York, on Satur- 
day, May 1. The meeting convened at 3:40 P. M,, the follow- 
ing delegates being present: 
Yacht Racing Association of Massachusetts. — Lewis M. 
Clark. 
Yacht Racing Union of the Great Lakes. — ^milius Jarvis. 
Lake Yacht Racing Association. — E. H. Ambrose. 
Interlake Yachting Association.— G. O. Richard.son. 
Lake Michigan Yachting Association. — E. C. Berriman. 
Yacht Racing irnion of Long Island Sound.— Stuyvesant 
Wainwright, E. B. Hart, .Tr.; O. H. Chellborg, Charles T. 
Pierce, C. P. Tower, F, B. .Jones and Oliver E. Cromwell, 
Pacific Interclub Yachting Association. — J. M. Mac- 
donough. 
Greaf South Bay Y". C. — John R. -Suy dam. 
Brooklyn Y. C— P. H. JeEinnott, Louis Wunder and Wil- 
liam Cagger. 
Hempstead Bay Y. C— J. W. Williams. 
Larchmont Y. C. — John F. Lovejoy and Oswald Sander- 
son. 
Atlantic Y. C. — ^Vice-Com. Frederick T. Adams and New- 
bury D. Lawton. 
Marine and Field Club.— Charles M. Brooks and W- S. 
Elliott. 
New York Yacht Racing Association. — A. J. Prime, E. 
Langerfeld and George Parkhill. 
Corinthian Y, C, of Philadelphia.— A. F. Bancroft and .J. 
A. Jeanes. 
New York Athletic Club — Mayhew W. Bronson. 
The invitations to the conference were sent to all known 
yacht associations and clubs, and to athletic and other clubs 
having yachting departments. The total number of clubs 
represented directly or through the various association.s was 
108. After the roll of representatives was read by Mr. Jones, 
secretary of the Sound Y. R. U,. it was proposed that a 
[May 8, 1897. 
chairman and secretary should be elected, Com. .Jarvis sug- 
gesting that it be understood that these officers were only to 
■serve for this meeting. Nominations for chairman were 
called for, and Mr. Cromwell was nominated and elected. 
Mr. Jones was nominated for secretary, but he declined and 
nominated Mr. W. P. Stephens, who was elected. 
The chairman formally opened the session by a few re- 
marks, after which the question of holding an open or execu- 
tive session was then considered, and on motion of Mr. A. J. 
Prime it was decided to hold an open session, thus allowing 
the representatives of the various papers who were present 
to remain. The secretary read the following: 
Philadelphia, Pa., May 1.— Chairman of Yachtsmen's 
Convention, Fifth Amnue Hotel: The Philadelphia Y. C. 
will heartily cooperate in any movement for the advance- 
ment of yacht racing and the development of yachtsmanship. 
I expected to attend the convention, but am prevented by 
sickness in family. Please read to delegates. 
(Signed) Francis Shunk Brown, Com., P. Y. C. 
Mr. Cromwell then spoke on the purpose of the meeting, the 
necessity for an organization, its name, and similar details, 
asking that all present would express their opinions. For 
some time no one seemed anxious to speak, Mr. .Jones finally 
taking the floor. He spoke of the pressing necessity for uni- 
form racing rules, and as the best means of attaining this 
end of the formation of some sort of union or association of 
the various yachting bodies; mentioning the existing differ- 
ences, the difficulties encountered in the past, and the grow- 
ing need of uniformity in rules at least. 
For a time no one was disposed to follow Mr. Jones. 
Finally Mr. Stephens took the floor. His remarks were to 
the effect that, while uniform racing rules, and in particular 
the measurement and classification rule, were most essen- 
tial, there were many other directions in which the general 
interests of American yachting should be encouraged by the 
cooperation of all yachtsmen; that the condition of the meas- 
urement question to-day is such that there was little hope of 
immediate and successful action; but that the way was now 
open for the formation of a national association for the pro- 
motion of yachting in all its branches; that thefir-st step was 
to organize and adopt a constitution, and that this might be 
easily done. The second step, of adopting uniform sailing 
rules for the general management of racing, was also easily 
possible; and that the third step, the formulation and adop- 
tion of- an entirely new rule of measurement, was not only 
impracticable at present, but might well be left until the 
executive and legislative machinery of the new organization 
was complete.- 
Com, G. O. Richardson, of Toledo, moved that the meet- 
ing proceed to the organization of a permanent association. 
Mr. Sanderson, of the Larchmont Y. C, stated that his club 
was in favor of a uniform system of racing rules, but that 
its delegates were not instructed to go further than a scheme 
for mutual cooperation, and that they could not vote on a 
motion to organize an association. He also asked whether 
all clubs interested had been invited to representation at 
this meeting. Mr. Jones replied that invitations had been 
sent to all clubs in the United States and Canada that were 
known to the committee. Mr. Prime suggested that the roll 
of the clubs be called. 
Com. Jarvis stated that he was not specifically instructed 
by the Royal Canadian Y. C. as to his action as its represent- 
ative, but that the club was heartily in accord with the pro- 
posal, as understood, to form an association. He stated 
further that the delegates present were perfectly free to act 
as individuals and form an association which the clubs 
might subsequently join. He spoke of the necessity for 
some immediate action, and of the opportunity offered in 
the presence of so many representatives, finally oft'ering a 
motion to the effect that the meeting should proceed to or- 
ganize an association, and that to such end a committee 
should be appointed to prepare a form of organization and 
report at once to the meeting. He stated that he had pre- 
pared a draft of a constitution, and suggested that as others 
present had given attention to the same subject, they should 
present their ideas to the meeting and to the proposed com- 
mittee. Mr. E. C. Berriman seconded the motion. 
Mr. Jones suggested that it would be well to hear from 
those, if any, who were opposed to the formation of an asso- 
ciation. Mr. N. D. Lawton, of the Atlantic Y. C, took the 
fioor and urged that the meeting should go to work slowly, 
that nothing should be done at present beyond the appoint- 
ment of a committee to prepare a scheme of organization 
and report in the fall at another meeting of delegates, at 
which a permanent organization might be effected. Mr. 
C. P. Tower, of the New Rochelle Y. C. , spoke in favor of 
immediate action, but suggested that all of the delegates 
present should be heard. Mr. Sanderson seconded Mr. Law- 
ton's amendment, speaking in favor of a temporary commit- 
tee to prepare a scheme of organization which should be 
submitted to all the clubs prior to the fall meeting. 
Mr. Prime offered a motion that it was the sense of the 
meeting that uniform racing rules could only be adopted 
througu th.e formation of a permanent association. Mr. 
Berriman spoke, urging some immediate action while the 
delegates from a distance were present. Com. Jarvis spoke 
in the same strain, asking for immediate action in theformar- 
tion of a permanent body with a brief constitution setting 
forth the main principles of the association, and leaving the 
completion and perfection of the rules, etc., until the organ- 
ization was in permanent working shape. He spoke particu- 
larly of the opportunity now offered, and of the danger of 
losing it by failure to take positive action. 
Mr. Jones offered an amendment to Mr. Lawton 's motion, 
that an organization be at once formed and a committee ap- 
pointed. Mr. Tower spoke again, suggesting a preliminary 
organization covering the main points, the details to be per- 
fected later. 
Vice-Com. Adams, Atlantic Y. C, suggested that the roll 
of delegates be called with a view to ascertain how many 
were qualified to act in the organization of an association. 
Mr. P. H. Jeannot, of the Brooklyn Y. C, stated that his 
club was in favor of an association, but that its delegates 
were not prepared to vote for it at the meeting. Mr. C. Y. 
Pierce, Riverside Y. C. spoke strongly in favor of imme- 
diate action. He remarked very pointedly that the delegates 
had come together at great trouble and loss of time to do 
something which they were now evidently afraid to do. 
Vice-Com. Adams stated that it was not possible for the 
Atlantic Y. C. delegates to vote for immediate action in the 
formation of an association. 
Mr. Tower made a motion that a committee of five be ap- 
pointed to retire and prepare a skeleton scheme of organiza- 
tion, reporting back to the meeting. Mr. Jarvis spoke again, 
and Mr. Prme urged the passage of Vice-Com. Adams's 
motion to ascertain what delegates were qualified to act at 
once. The chairman asked Com. Jarvis to withdraw his 
original motion for immediate organization and the appoint- 
ment of a committee in favor of Vice-Com. Adams's motion, 
but Com. Jarvis stated that, without intending any dis- 
courtesy to the proposer of the second motion, he was not 
willing to withdraw his, as it was perfectly practicable for 
the delegates present to act as individuals in organizing. 
Mr, L. M, Clark, President of the Y. R. A. of Massachu- 
setts, offered the following motion; Resolved, That it is the 
sense of this meeting that linifqrm racing rules should be 
adopted throughout the United States and Canada; and that 
for this purpose some kind of a national association be 
formed, Mr. Jones and one or two others seconded the mo- 
tion, whereupon Com. Jarvis and Vice-Com. Adams with- 
drew their respective motions. Mr. Clark's motion was put 
by the Chair and carried. 
Mr. J. P. Lovejoy of the Larchmont Y C. oft'ered the fol- 
lowing motion: Resolved, That a committee of seven be 
appointed by the Chair to draft a plan of organizatioa and 
