The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-08-07

the present board is prepared to discharge IBIS
duty in its fullest sense. For the rider who de-
sires to adhere to the strictest canons or ANA
teur sport there is provided class A. For the
one who is unwilling or unable to meet the ex-
penses OF racing, or desires to receive CON-
pensation therefor in the form OF salary or
otherwise, there is provided class Is, III Wh1cn
the only restrictions are that the prize must
not be money or devisable one, and must not
be sold. Whoever considers these restrictions
burdensome may find perfect freedom among
the professionals, to whom in their relations
with each other and with race promoters the
board will extend its protection.
The greatest abuses of the leagues rules and
the boards confidence are committed by those
men who obtain from rGce-promoters or the
trade expenses and other concessions, and yet
seek to remain in class A. When men travel
from town TO town, hundreds OF miles from
their homes, in attendance on race meetings.,
under the care and direction of representatives
of the trade, there can be but one inference
Such men enjoy advantages which twas never
contemplated the class men shouia haHe,
and their presence in that class is an injustice
TO those who are yet amateurs and are strug-
Cling to develop themselves with their own re-
sources. When the class man develops such
ability as to command the attention OF race
promoters or the trade, and is apparently re-
ceiving assistance from those sources, his place
is in class B, and there he will be transferred
by the board under the general provisions,
which authorize it to act on clrcumstantlaI
evidence.
The provision permitting class rider to
the boundaries of his State was framed without
reference to the extent of California. In future
class riders in California competing outside
of a limit of 200 miles from legal residence,
except by special permit of the racing board,
win be considered proper subjects for CLASS
legislation. R. NJ. WEIGH,
Representative National Racing Board.
San Francisco, August D, 1898.
A CALL reporter called on Chairman
WEIGH of the racing board yesterday, and
ho ha6 To
bulletin he had issued and its effect on
racing men. Mr.. WEIGH is pleasant man
to talk to, and is very familiar with the
league rules and cycle racing, having been
connected with the League of American
Wheelmen on this coast since its organlza-
ton in 1886. He said:
So much of the bulletin as relates to the attl-
tude of the board toward class A men mas Deel
submitted to Chairman Gideon, and is Issued
with his approval There are about dozen sus-
poets who have been called upon TO explain.
Some have made explanations that are setls-
factory, Others have availed themselves OF the
privilege OF making sworn statement, one or
TWO will accept the situation and voluntarily
go into class B. With those who remain III
class A, ! shall take the position that In future
they, must act consistently. sworn state
ment simply closes q pending 1nVestlgatloh, IL
provides no immunity for the future circuit
chasing is no part of the role OF a class A man.
The place for class man is at home, to com
pete when the circuit reaches his town or
comes within q reasonable distance, say q day
journey of il. There are OF course eXcep-
tions-men with whose circumstances l am
familiar and whose reasons for following the
circuit / understand. 1t must not be under
stood that am unfriendly to the proposed
Pacific Circuit. On the contrary / am willing
and anxious to aid it in every possible way,
and l consider that the position am taking
with the men will benefit it. The towns are
full of men. The presence OF the stars
would simply discourage the local men. Ihey
wesld not ride, or special closed races would
have to be provided for them. In the absence
OF visiting men the local men Will come out
in force and impart strong local color to the
meetings, and if the ranks are REINFORCED by
some of the present A stars the result WILL De
still more satisfactory.
1t is an established fact that the National
Circuit will come to California. The dates
given in to-day's bulletin form a mere
skeleton. The choicest dates have, of course
been secured by the first applicants. Other
dates will undoubtedly be followed. The cir
cult closes in Northern California at Santa
Rosa November IT, and then goes on TO South
ern California. In addition TO the towns in that
part of the State already scheduled Pasadena
will undoubtedly take q date, and so will
other places. After the circuit closes most of
the men will remain in California to winter,
and there will be some great racing during the
winter and early spring. There is a great boom
ahead for cycle racing in California.
Byrne, Edwards, Whitman, Mcfarland,
Moody, Dow, Mott and G.. NJ. Smith had
intended to follow the circuit. If they can
snow 10 the saIlsIactlon OF the hacihS
Board that while doing so they will pay
all their own expenses of every kind and
indicate from what source they receive the
money, and the board is convinced that
they receive no remuneration for riding a
certain make of wheel or tires and that no
club is backing them, they may go. But
if the board has the slightest intimation
otherwise they will be at once suspended.
1t looks as if the circuit had received its
deathblow. The racing board intends
class B men of note are to be investigated
next, and Oscar Osen, practically the only
professional on this coast, may soon have
some company he will be proud of. Every
racing-man who has violated a rule is
covering up his tracks and hopes he will
escape Investigation. 1t is the class A
men the board is after now, and the class
men will have their turn next.