The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-08-07
WHEELMEN UNDER A BAN,
The Racing Board Questions
the Status of Prominent
Class A Riders.
THAT CIRCUIT THE CAUSE.
Racing Men Who Follow 1t VIII Be
Suspended by Chairman
WEIGH.

The racing board of the League of Amer
lean Wheelmen has issued its bulletin II,
and it will create stir among the class A
men of the coast. For some time past
Chairman Welch has been particularly
active in his efforts to either make the
men live up to the rules which define
class A or else join class B. Briefly stated,
the class A clause provides that the rider
must be an amateur who has not engaged
in cycling or any other recognized sport
for cash remuneration, nor competed
with professional or class B rider; who
has never exchanged, sold, bartered or in
any way realized cash on a prize won by
him; who has never competed for a prize
valued at over $50; he must not compete
beyond radius of 200 miles from his legal
residence, nor go without his own State;
he must pay all his own training and trav-
cling expenses.
Recently a cycle racing circuit has been
formed, which is TO commence on August
IL and close IN September embracing all
the cities in this vicinity where a good
track or an enterprising club exists. Pet
aluma Santa Rosa, Woodland, Sacra-
mento, Stockton, Gilroy, Santa Cruz, San
Jose and many other places were on the
circuit.
Besides all the well-known class B men
hereabouts, number of class A riders de-
cided to follow the circuit. Then the
question arose in Chairman Welch's mind,
"Who will pay their expenses? Surely
they cannot afford to do this for nothing"
And, as the L. A. w. rules are very arbi-
trary and permit the racing board to place
in class B any man upon whom just sus-
picion rests, Mr.. WEIGH decided that if
any class A rider followed the circuit it
would be sufficient evidence to warrant his
suspending him, and upon investigation,
placing him in class B. The riders who
would be most affected by this ruling are:
F. NJ. Byrne, G. W. Conger, J. E. Edwards,
p. G. Alexander, d. E. Whitman, T. A.
Mcfarland, g. A. Moody, o. B. Smith, r.
J. Sherman, R. E. Dow, G. Nj. Smith, z. Il.
Mott, G. Hardenbrook and V. A. Benson.
1t is stated on good authority that }. h.
Edwards intends to go into class b anyway.
Sherman will not ride, and Hardenbrook
and Benson probably will not either. If
any of the others wish to follow they must
swear to a statement before notary,
which contains the following interroga
tories:
Have you received, or are YOU promised, or
are you to receive, or are you receiving, any
remuneration, compensation, expense money
or merchandise for riding any make of cycle
from the makers thereof or their agents, or any
person for them, or the makers or manufaet-
uTers of parts or appliances for bicycles OF any
kind, or their agents, or any person foF them.
or any other person or persons, directly or in
directly? Or is any one receiving or to receive
for you on account of your riding any such
expense or remuneration?
State who pays your expenses, including
entry fees. Are you allowed expenses from
any club, manufacturer or any one interested
in cycling?
If you pay your expenses yourself from whom
or from what do you derive the income neces-
sary TO pay such expenses?
Do Won sOlemnlV swear that are
amateur of class A, according to the definition
of class A of the L. A. w. rules?
There are few Of the above-name class
A men who can swear to such an affidavit.
Probably Alexander is the only one; and
some of them frankly admit that they can
not. Under these circumstances they can
not follow the circuit, and if they do they
will be suspended and eventually have to
ride in class B. The penalty is severe in
this way: There are already many fast
men in class b, and these class A men
would have much less chance of winning
prizes, while in class a they are at the
head. and are always sure of something.
As the racing board says they cannot fol-
low the circuit, it means the downfall of
that project, as without these men the
class A races will be slow and uninter-
esting.
Here is the racing boards bulletin No.
II:
SANCTIONS GRANTED.
August and 6, San Diego Racing Association,
San Diego.
August g. z, and 9, Ariel bicycle Club, Vallejo.
August IA and 15 Napa Cycling Club. Napa.
NATIONAL CIRCUIT DATES FOR CALIFORNIA.
November l and 2, Bay City Wheelmen San
Francisco.
November z, 8 and 9, Garden City Cycers, San
jose
November 16, Santa Rosa Wheelmen, Santa
Rosa.
November 81, %, %, Los Angeles wheelmen,
Los Angeles.
November %, Orange County Wheelmen, Santa
Ana.
November so, Riverside Wheelmen, Riverside.
NEW PACIFIC COAST RECORDS APPROVED.
One-third of mile competition, U. P. A.-C D.
Bates San Jose, July A, 1895, al Id. Two-thirds
OF mile comp, l.. z. Al. a. Mcfarland, San
Jose, July A, 1895, rs l5 Two-thirds OF a mile
comp, U. 2. B.-W. A. Burke, San Jose, July 4,
1895, "a 4-5. One mile COMP u. r. Az. A.
Mcfarland, 2:11 3-5.
The racing board is charged with the duty of
enforcing the provisions of the League of
American Wheelmen relating to the govern
ment of cycle racing in the United States and