Evening star., 1896-02-15
TANING CYCLISTS.
Proposed Charge of Toll on Mont.
Eomcry County Roads.


Somcry County Roads.
Two measures have been introduced in
the Maryland legislature the object Of
which is to make cyclists pay toll for
the privilege of using certain roads. The
condition of the Maryland roads in a good
many instances is notoriously bad. rhe
residents Of the county do little toward
keeping the pubic highways in repair, and
the commissions and boards having this
matter IL charge do little toward improv-
ing the reads, and when n highway does
receive attention generally its condition is
terrible for wagon purposes and vile for
cycle riding.
The astute politician secs chance to vir-
tualiy XII two birds with one stone. lie
sees way o. having the condition of the
roads improved without a cent of cost to
the rss:d ents, and yet secure the approval
of majority OF his constituents. The
problem is to be solved by-n2k king cyclists
pay toi, for the purpose, and as the cy-
clists live ia Washington, the District of
Columbia VIII virtually pay for the MAIN
;euanca of the roads
Mr. Hutton, a member of the house of
delegates from Montgomery county. is the
author of one Of the measures. His bill
amends the charter OF the Washington,
Colesville and Ashton Turnpike Company
so as to permit the corporation to charge
toll for traction engines and bicycles SO
far as traction engines are concerned ii is
but fair that toll should be charged, as
these machines can injure a road more
than a wagon in travelling. Senator Tai
bott has introduced a similar bill in the
state senate, granting the same power TO
the NSShir gton and BrookeVille Turnpike
Company.
One thing worthy of note is the fact that
there appears 10 lie considerable diversity
of opinion in the county in regard to the
wisdom Of passing these bills, especially so
far bicycles are concerned. MANY con-
tend ti2at as large portion of the county
has become a faVorite resort for wheelmen
from Wasl ington and other localities, no
action should be taken that will in any
way have a tendency to annoy them pre-
vent their coming. Without a doubt the
opposition to the measures comes from
those VINO receive large share OF the
( patronage of waeelmen.
There Is no sensible reason that he
advanced for taxing n bicycle for road use.
A bicycle rider can do no harm to a roads
condition, but, on the other hand. il has
more of a tendency to improve the high
way. In many instances the Uheelman IS
obliged 10 take TO path riding on account of
| the miserable condition of the road. 4 le-
gal question can he raised in the event cf
| the passage of these bills as to whether Il
| bicycle can he taxed. In Pennsylvania and
/ sever ii other states the tax on bicycles al
| toll gates was declared by the courts 10
| he unjust and unlawful
The delegates Of Prince GEORGES and
| other counties in Maryland finding the law
/ tc work satisfactorily in ntgomery will,
! in all probability. Introduce similar meas
ures for their own counties.
| Even more than this is apt TO occur. as
the movement may spread into Virginia.
| and Alexandra and Fairfax counties he
! given authority to charge cyclists toll on
the main highways. Then the riders Of
| this city will he barred on all sides, and
the Conduit road he the only free road in
| this vicinity.
Every rider is in favor of good highways
| But they all object 10 an unjust discrirl-
| nation They injure the roads in no man.
-
goats Of them and compel them TO pay for
| the privilege of riding over rough ana bad
| roads. which are made by construction
, and by use of the county residents-the
| very people who seek TO shift the cost Of
| maintenance.
The Race Starting Machine.
The Australian starting machine consists
of two bands Of strong webbing, each about
four inches in width, made fast at both ends
Of frame, which slides upward and away
| from the horses at an angle of 10 degrees.
The lower band is about four feet above
| the ground. the upper perhaps q foot higher.
The fra. le to which the webbing is fixed
runs to a cable attached to pulley. which
| is about fourteen feet higher, on post some
twelve feet beyond the starting post The
| power to draw this bar is supplied by a
! heavy elastic band. The frame before he
ing released upon its flying journey, is held
| In position by trigger on both sides Of the
| track, lne connection between the Trigger
! being wire stretched across the track.
As soon as the horses are lined up facing
the webbing, which is perhaps about foot
away. the starter pulls lever, which re-
leases the triggers, sends the webs flying in-
| simultaneously and Mostly upward and out
ward and the horses are off in a line.
Local Sporting Notes.
The season for killing wild turkeys, par
tridges and rabbits in Montgomery county
/
The residents in the vicinity of German
town. Md, have been holding clay pigeon
contests, which was the occasion for some
excellent shooting. The entrants We're not
limited to the immediate vicinity, but en-
braced sportsmen from Montgomery and
, | surrounding counties. a contest was sched
uled for this afternoon.
| The chase of the Chevy Chase Hunt Clut
| came off Monday, but the ground was toe
| heavy to make first-class sport. There was
| a field of sixteen present at the start a
Silver Spring. The drag extended for q
| distance of about five miles, and ended neal
the Rock Creek power house. 1t is ex
trenely likely that only a limited number
of hunts will be given the balance of tn,
| season.
A Friendly Opportunity.
From the woonsockct Or. L. Reporter.
A Georgia undertaken has adopted move
method of advertising his business. His ad
yeltiserlent reads: Funerals on the install
= mort plan. Two collars Q week VIII par1
ncur hest friend