The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-07-23


Now, if the above named cities, out
side of tho first two named, had been
obliged to use either horse power or
steam they would have had no suburban
roads, but as they had water going to
waste ct all hours OF the day and night,
trey had no difficulty in building and
keeping up little electric roads which
have placed cheap homes within easy
reach OF mechanics. This led up to
decneaee in the demand for good and
syaiisble work horses because weak or
crippled horse has no business in front
of heavily loaded street car. The rea-
son why this depreciation has not af-
fected prices for thoroughbred horses
because the Thoroughbred horse lin
America, but not in England, France or
Australis) is valuable only for gambling
purposes.
Another prime cause in the decline of
borsaHs~iI In VIC Ihpiu futIoduVtiUu of
the bicycle for all purposes of metropol-
tan business. A man can buy good
wheel for $50. the interest on which is
about "a cents per day. Now, saving
that the man lives out mile from his
place of business and goes home to his
lunch at noon. that caves him the differ
ence between 234 cents and 90 cents each
day for car fare, Chief Glaes estimates
the number Of bicycles in Los Angeles &C
SOMETHING above 5000. If that be cor
rect, then the street railways of Los
Angeles are losing $500 per day through
the introduction OF the bicycle.
just where the economy OF the bicycle
comes in may be easily seen. A large
family grocery house in San Francisco
used to keep three horses and buggiee
and three men TO drive out in quest of
orders. In April last they decided to
cut the city up into four districts and
hire another man. Then cams the
question OF another horse and buggy
and its monthly expense OF food and
washing. The junior member of the
firm spoke up then and advised the pur-
chase of bicycles, two of which could be
bought for the price of buggy, to say
nothing about a horse. They bought
four bicycles and found that their solict.
ors got back to the store with their or
ders at least an hour earlier each day,
and the cost WAS reduced to about moth
ing. They now have five bicycles in
use.
If my good friend Robinson, of the
Boston dry goods store, had invested the
same amount of money in thorough
breds as he did in trotters he would have
got his money out Of the plant before his
death. But the average New Highlander
does not take kindly to the production of
thegslloping horse. He regards him % an
expensive toy at best, whereas he is to-
day tine only horse in whoee breeding
there is one dollar of profit. My shrewd
old friend, Simeon G. Reed of Pasadena,
did not have to let a brick house fall on
kD Lnv, 1T L. A.. =. VI.
Ia one sort OF horse with which the BIZ
Cycle cannot hope to compete. Still, the
bicycle is great institution. And a
sense of candor compels me to state my
belief that, had Colonel Breckenridge
taken Miss Pollard out for a ride ION
bicycle built for two." instead of the
''close carriage" which has now passed
into history. there would have been no
$4,000 verdict for breach of promine
against the distinguished bluegrass con-
gresham. But 1t is just az l tell you.
The knockdown and slaughtering of
prices for trotters is due almost entirely
to the introduction of the bicycle and
the electric railway car.
xxx
The Los Angeles detachment Of trot-
ters and PAGERS ia by long odds the best
that has ever left this city to take part
in the campaign along the central cir
cult. and they go out on Monday alter
moons train headed for the BREEDERS
meeting at San Francisco. There are
so many good green ones that 1 do not
feel like particularizing. Old Mckinney,
the hero OF the home-stretch, is absent
this year, but Durfee says the old war.
rior has earned his rest fairly and
thoroughly. Gossiper goes out a very
much improved horse. and can probably
tool as fast as ever Mckinney did, but 1
have no idea he lie any such q CAM aiQn
horse on circuit which is to last nearly
four moHths. Several of Gosslperis
colts have shown we'll in private work
this year, and he will be more In de-
mand as sire next year than he ever
has been. Ned Connolly, who cut such
q fiGpre with Irene Orocker last wear.