San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1895-09-30
EFFECT OF THE BIKE.
Last Years Output of Bicycles Val
ued at $37, 100000.

ued at $37, 100000.
John c. Freund, editor of"MusiC
Trade" a New York journal, has
the following interesting things to
say about the bicycle and influence
on different trades:
"Quite a number of the out of
town dealers with whom | have
come in contact during the past
few days have referred to the BIZ
cycle craze and its influence on
their business. All seem to admit
that this influence has been quite
serious. Some think, however,
that while it may have stopped a
good many sales of musical instru-
ments in the spring and summer
it will not have nearly so much
effect on the fall trade, as by that
time the weather will have become
too cool or to inclement for the
great majority of riders, especially
the Womenn
ITO give some idea of the enor-
nous growth of the bicycle bust
ness, / may say that recent esti-
mates place the number of ma
chimes marketed this year alone at
over 500 900, while the annual
capacity OF the bicycle factories
has been raised to relrly 100000
machines; and even with that the,
dealers have been quite unable TO
meet the demand, especially for
the leading brands. Tits said that
the popular Columbia Co. is now
nearly $4,000 machines behind or.
ders,
"Let us accept the figures, 100000,
as about the number OF bicycles
that have been sold this year. Sup.
pose they have been sold at an av-
erage price OF $75 apiece, we should
get the enormous sum OF S37, 800.
600 as the money paid out by the
public for this one item in a single
year.
"But this Is not all.
"There are no signs OF any abate.
ment in the craze. On the con.
trary, it looks as il the public
would next year pay nearer $50,
100000 for bicycles than the $751;
100000 they are believed to have
paid this year.
"This great army Of riders pene-
tratiDg in all directions will soon
exert influences that will ulti.
mately rebound to the benefit OF
the musical industries, by helping
n ofir fhi pnnarallxy
ALREADY in large as well as in
small towns, suburban real estate
has considerably grown in value.
The man who hesitaued to take a
house more than a mile or so from
his place of business, hesitates no
longer, and is ready, by the aid of
his "bike," to live even five or six
miles away. This gives him a
cheaper rent, and consequently
some surplus for other things.
"The necessity Of having an ap-
propriate bicycling costume has
given an impetus to the clothing
and gents furnishing trades.
"The arrival OF parties of hungry
and thirsty bicyclers has aroused
up many country boniface, and
he has put his house ia order and
improved his table.
"But the largest influence .eXer-
cised by the bicyclers has been in
the way of road improve ment.
What good roads mean in the de.
velopment of country, their enor.
nous influence on civilization, only
those who have gwen the question
some consideration can appreciate.
perhaps those who will suffer
most by the new revolution are
the breeders Of horses, carriage
makers and livery stable men.
"Fhese will probably suffer per-
manently. The musical industries,
however, will be but temporarily
affected, and will soon recover their
normal prosperity.
"The bicycle is a great promoter
OF sociability; the basis OF all so.
liability is, after all, the home,
and what is home without a piano,
organ, guitar or mandolin"
The Roseberry ministry in Eng
land was overthrown largely on
account Of its efforts to bring about
local option. Sir William Vernon
Harcourt, one OF the ministers, and
a rank prohibitionist, was defeated
for Parliament.
A petition against the sale of
beer by the Benedictine monks at
st. Vincent's Abbey, near Lstrobe,
Pa, has BEEN sent to Mgr. Satolli,
the apostolic delegate at Washing
ton, by some priests OF the Pitts
burg Catholic diocese. 1t recItes a