The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-06-16
Class ID Men Can Classify Themselves
without Prejudice.

Albert Mott, one OF the members of the
L. A. w. committee on rules and regula-
tions, says in Sporting Life: ut is plain
TO most of those who are acquainted with
the history OF bicycle racing and of the
League OF American Wheelmen that the
latter body has always assumed jurisdic-
ton over tie former in all its ramifica-
tons. The position or Chairman Gideon on
the subject, and of President Wilson could
at any time be read i'm their actions in
connection with the sport, as well as their
official utterances That position was and
is that the league recognized all classes
in the special sport II fostered and in
tended to keep clean. The league has made
a study of surrounding the sport with all
the safeguards possible. and will continue
to do So The conditions have been such
that race promoters have not programmed
professional events at their meets to any
great extent, put When tney nave appneo
for sanctions for professional races they
have been granted. This would seem to
make the situation plain to even super
fetal observer, but it has not done so, ap-
parently, and. therefore. Chairman Gideons
bulletin this week contains matter that
SHOULD not, but probably will, create sur
prise. 1t is. in effect, that the league has
participants in the contests. whether they
be Glass A, Class B or professionals. must
race under league rules and sanction, and
that they are all subject TO the same dis
cipline. If professional violates the league
rules he will be disciplined. If he fouls a
rider he will suffer the usual penalty. If
he does anything TO court il ne will be sus-
pended from track racing, the same as any
other racing. racing man decides for
himself what class ne will occupy by the
class OF events he completes in. If he does
not classify himself consistently the racing
board does it for him. Simply that and
nothing more. 1t has been so from all
a 1f-Uq f,iz 0f ho lpao
There is really nothing new in this week
bulletin OF the racing board. 1t merely
conditions and the quite general msunder-
standing appeared to make 1t advisable TO
do so.''
The Glass B men have been handicapped
In their work by uneasiness caused by i'm
pressions formed by reading the matter
contained in the general press from the
pens or enterprising reporters, who rightly
want to give their subscribers live reading.
peppered with hot STUFF. Most of the 3
men have been led to believe that they were
subjects of special investigation and in dan
nothing to specially investigate against any
one of them but John 5. Johnson. and IT
has acted in his case. There is continual
watch and supervision of them all estab-
Ished, but no particular one Is under spe-
cial Suspicion All racing men. of what
tiny, and they have nothing whatever to
fear If they do not violate any Of the racing
rules; The manufacturers who hire teams
OF Class Is men have been somewhat en-
barrassed also by unauthorized announce
ments of what the racing board were doing
or were about to do with members of their
teams. All this made IL but an act of JUS
tice for the chairman to authoritatively an
nounce the situation and correct any msap-
prehension. He has done all that this week.
so that he who runs may read. In few
words the situation is this:' The league
controls bicycle racing in this country, both
amateur and professional The racing board
knows of no reason why any present mer-
Der of Glass Il should be removed to the
professional class They can if they choose
classify themselves without prejudice.
BicycIists Have Great Privileges.
Riders of this city have cause to congrat-
ulate themselves that the city fathers have
thrown no restrictions around them. 1t is
the only city of it's size where there is alb
solutely no legislation on the subject and
where riders may do as they please and are
amenable TO the courts only when they do
something that INJURIES some one. In all
other cities Of this size Wheelmen are COM
PEELED to have bells on their wheels and
must not appear at night without lanterns.
Some cities even go SO far as TO regulate
the ringing of the bell. 1t must be rung on
approaching a crossing. In Philadelphia IL
must be rung when fifty feet from the
crossing and again when ten feet away, and
woe to the hapleSS rider who fails to do
so. There have been comparatively few ac-
cidentS of serious nature reported in this
city that were caused by wheelmen. There
is a growing tendency in the city TO re-
strict wheelmen and il VIII be the fault