The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-02-23


repaving Of the rOadways in several To-
calities il has been hard 10 get about
on the wheel with pleasure. Then add
10 these dlscomforts the clustering winds
at freezing temperature. and II is no
wonder that few bicycles have been seen
upon the road.
THE SEASON '96.
The opening Of the season is showing
development by the increased number Of
new models seen on the street. The deal
ers are getting in their orders made
months ago. and the activities Of last
season will soon be renewed in all the
bicycle agencies.
Tho bicycle magazines. which were last
year modest and moderate size periodicals.
have grown this season TO be books Of
large size and magnificent appearance.
rivaling in materials and contents the best
illustrated literary monthlios.
The 1,l05 different names OF bicycles that
appear in the register are all more or
less advertised. and the bicycle journals
are Teaping a rich harvest.
TIE BICYCLE BILL.
The bicycle bill which passed The House
last week has not passed the Senate, and
has. therefore. not yet become law. The
stanton indicator. in regard 10 this
bill. says:
If the Legislature. in passing what may
bill. is considering the interests Of the
farmer alone, IT had better go slow. Be
fore II meets again many young farmer
will have begun 10 use a bicycle. Nobody
knows better than he the cost Of keeping
riding horse, and a machine that is get
ting cheaper In price every day and that
don't eat $l4 hay or anything else, ex-
cept a spoonful Of machine oil now and
then, and that requires no watering or
grooming. will sooner or later be as great
favorite in counties as il is i'm the cities
There are two sides TO the bicycle law
one you can see now and another very
different one you will see before two
years rolls around"
THE JAPANESE WHEEL
There has been a great deal Of talk
In cycle circles lately about the japanese
bicycle. which, at the price Of twelve
dollars. was 10 crowd the American
manufacturer out Of the market.
Due manufacturers have evidently
nothing 10 fear for a Chicago man
who is touring IN Asia, has been in
Vesugating the matter, and reports
the results of his experience in the BIZ
cycle factories at Yokohama.
He says the japanese wheel. though
evidently modelled after the American
style looks decidedly odd t.) the Ameri-
car The tubing" he continues SIS on
sL scale. the chains are heavy, while
the sprockets are big, wide-toothed con-
trivances, resembling coarse g-wheels,
rather than fine. delicate machinery.
The gear on the Japanese wheel IS
low. and the wheels are as heavy as
those made in England. The factories
are scantily supplied with power and
machinery. All of the light parts Of
the machine such as the tubing. balls
and tires are imported. The Japs do not
seem TO be able to make them. The best of
Nhe machines are sold in Japan at from
$40 TO $50 each. and sill the japanese de-
mand exceeds the supply"
While the Japs cannot supply their
own demands. IL Is not at an likely
that they are going to make much of an
impression on the American market.
And If this wheel is the clumsy thing
this correspondent represents il as be-
ing, IL only confirms what has been gem
orally assumed since the story was first
published. C.. that Sl2 or even SO BIZ
cycles are impossibnities. Too much that
is fine IN material and workmanship is
required in their construction 10 admit
OF any such ridiculous prices.
MISS WILLARD SPEAKS.
Miss Frances Willard. president Of the
Worlds Woman's Christian Temperance
Union. and a hearty advocate OF cycling,
says:
Breezy. outdoor life has an inextin-
whom 1 have exchanged condolences on
the subject, but the impeding costume
and the cOnVontiOnalitics of society have
checked their development. and given
them over 10 furnace-air, fabby muscle,
and sluggish circulation. Unfortunately
the magazines for children and young
people accept the situation as they ma
IL, instead OF trying TO create better
one: descant on Sports for Boys who
are sure TO disport themselves extern
svely, without suggestion, and are 81
lent about Exercise for Girls
Mothers give whip and sled 20 their
sons CwhOse innate sense of control needs
10 abotting. and who have the freedom
OF all outdoors without 50 much as
saying. by your leave), and doll ana
Get OF dishes TO their girls, whose ma
ternal instincts arc sufficiently Goblin
planted TO need no special forcing, and
who will Keep house all their lives long
anyhow. and with a steadiness that can
not fail TO make them fractional women,
physically, al least.
"a more philosophical view Of education
by toys (the old-fashloned home kinder
earten. whose influence doubtless reaches
farther than We think, instead of in
tensifying unduly traits already inherent.
would change the playthings sQuarely
about thus developing more strongly the
fatherly nature Of one. and evolving the
COuFdkC ui.i ply olAAti FhNArAA "a '-t'
other.
Let us also have tho cycle domesti-
Gated, as well as tho saddle-horse, bow
and arrow. and lawn tennis. Speaking
OF the last delightful game (whose inven-
tor ought 90 be canonized by wOmankindD,
reminds me OF what our girls ruefuily
declare. with many doprecating glance
n wardrobes TO be mendod; II takes
half the fun out OF this game. when we
stumble over our skirts And one who
watches girls at other sports might add.
commiseraiingly: Yves, and when you
arc betrayed by your high heels. well
nigh smothered by your tight waists. or
blinded by tho sun. from which no friend
" hat brlm shields you"
FOR FEMI-CYCLERS.
The writer for women cyclists in the
Cycling West says:
We bicycling girls need no longer be
bothered with the Notwithstanding
dudes who como spoOaing around the
front doorsteps. poisoning the clematis
and plants about the porch. who cheat
us out OF our beauty sleep and who are
proof against all hints that We prefer
thear room 10 their company. II we
hAvo = father CT biz AnathaR to assist