The evening times., 1895-10-29
SINS FRIENDS ARE ANGRY
They Protest Against Unfair and
Uncalled-For Criticism Of Him.
Movements of Crack Cyclists Here at
Home and In Many Other Parts
of the Country.

The criticisms being showcred on the
head of Fred Sims are not pleasing 10
Sims friends in this city, and he has
many of them.
The charge that Sims only took one first
on the national circuit, and that he got
most of his races in pot hunting expeditions
is not denied, but there was, they say,
the very best OF reasons for his not doing
better among the big riders.
1t is IA fact that canEot be disputed hon
cstly that Sims ran against a great deal
OF hard luck during the racing season
This has been commented upon by almost
every authority on cycling In the coun-
try. If it had not been for the many
falls and accidents that overlook him he
would surely have masR. most -creiitable
showing against the very best of them.
As for Ids not standing well up among
the crack a jacks, the one race he made ut
Manhattan Field shows that assertion to
be unmerited. .-
In that race Sims broke eight worlds
records, and finished the ten miles in the
remarkable time of 81 minutes and 80
seconds, which has gone down in cycling
history as one Of the very best fcais of
the year.
As TO pot hunting. many n top notch rider
goes pot hunting. On these expeditions Sims
ranagainst some OF the yer specdliest riders
i'll America. Until a very few months ago
The now world famed Tom Cooper was
pot hunter uT the rankest kind. The best
OF them do it. As to Fred's suspension, he
simply knocked johnson, of Cleveland
down for insulting him. THIS. OF course was
not overlooked by the cycling authorities
but If it had been regarded as a heinous
offense Fred probably would not be in
good standing again. johnson was also sus-
pended.
And as for the road race pacin. business.
IL criticism is indulged in at all il is not
manlike to give it all to one man and cheat
all Of the other fellows out of what right
fully belongs to them. There were thirty
five starters in the road race, and up to
date about five have been heard of who
are supposed TO have been neglected in
the pacing way, but if things keep on as
they are now going it is probable that it
will be satisfactorily shown that not a soul
has a Kick coming.
The Dupont road race question Is the
all absorbing topic among the bicycle riders
again to-day. Owing to the failure OF a
number or the witnesses to come forward
with affidayits, nothing was done on Satur-
day, but another meeting of the ;nvestigat-
ing committee is To be held tonight. 1t
Is reported that at this meeting protest
may be lodged against young Thompson for
accepting pace. Up ito Friday night Thomp-
son appeared TO bc one OF the few men who
rode in the race agansit whom no unfair
had been charged. and he stood Il good show
to get the time prize.
Every hour the matter seems to become
more complicated, and as way to get
out or the Thousand and one difficulties
that are bcsettiDg the committee il has
been suggested that the race of last Monday
be declared no race and that it be run over
again, with such rules and restrictions
as will insure absolute fair play. Whether
the suggestion viii be carried out it can't
yet be said, bat there are many who advo-
cate this plan, believing il to he the only
way that the matter can be satisfactorily
settled
Another outcome of the trouble may
bring about a race of twenty miles over the
Conduit course between Sims and Mudd-
The wheel dealers whom Sims and Mudd
represent have become much interested in
the road race controversy, and it is said
each is willing TO make right stiff wager
on his rider and that already one agent
has agreed to PIT up il the other VIII. There
are q number Of opinions as to how such
q race would result. but the general notion
seems to be that Sims, in good shape, ought
to win.
Nearly 1000 people attended the bicycle
races at Ogden. Utah, yesterday. Bald
won both the mile and half mile open
events. but he got hard race in both from
Kiscr, the Dayton boy, who is showing
great. form just now. Murphy was third
in both races.