The record-union., 1896-02-06
MEN OF THE WHEEL.
The Late Meeting of the Cycle Board
of Trade.
Something About Glass B and the
Riders Who Are Preparing to
Break Records.
(From Cvcle Tonics.l

F'rom Cycle Topics.)
The infinite good the Cycle Board Of
Trade will ultimately do for wheeling
cannot be estimated at this period, but
that the board is a powerful factor in
cycling was evidenced at the recent ses-
sion in New York, when the associate
members made rush to become stock
holders in the now sound corporation.
l. was a magnanimous proposition on
the part of the stockholders to vote a
sentiment in favor Of disposing of sur
plus stock to associate members at the
rate at which the shares were pur-
chased when the organization began its
life. When the Cycle Board of Trade
was incorporated its future was very
uncertain, but several of the prominent
makers subscribed for the stock and the
order was Incorporated under the laws
Of New York State. But the manu-
facturers who kept aloof are now ready
to join forces with the stockholders.
and as there will be about $4,000 in
the treasury there is a rosy tint, indeed,
about the future prospects. AT the
meeting of the Executive Committee
some alterations arose over the ap-
pointment of a, Secretary. r. L. Cole
man was slated for President, and had
pledged himself to A Kennedy Child
for Secretary. This did not agree with
the views of other members of the Ex-
ecutive Committee, and the conse-
quence was the withdrawal Of Mr.. Child
at the eleventh hour and the election of
James Mckee, who will make an able
officer.
The Stearns team is not idle at Santa
Monica, Cal, where the riders are gath
cred. They have gone for few records
up to date, II. B. Gleezen, their trainer,
preferring to wait until the sextet ar
rives. The boys are in the finest pos
sible condition, and Manager Gleezen
feels that they will soon be fit for the
ride Of their lives. He earnestly be-
lieves that there will be a decided
change in the record table before an
other two months shall have passed.
Glass B gained immense favor at the
New York cycle show when several
manufacturers came out openly with
declarations that they would support
class 3 racing teams in case the L. A.
W delegates to the National Assembly
voted to sustain the class. It is a gen.
eral sentiment that class B should be en-
couraged in preference to professional
ism, and so many expressions were
heard in favor of 1t that the National
Assembly delegates will do well to
abide by the general opinion. The rid
ers themselves are for class B. They
are not ready to jump to professional
ism, for they realize that the public is
not ready to accept this class, and
should the public look with disfavor on
the pro riders, racing would soon be
While the L. A. w. Off
eials will not openly express their views
on this question, it is the impression of
the manufacturers that class B will be
the first choice. E. G. Bald has not
signed for the year, Eddie preferring to
wait the outcome of the discussion at
the convention in Baltimore in Febru-
ary. Other B riders are also suppress
ing any desire to sign contracts until
that time.
Harry Wheeler, the professional
rider, who was a competitor of thinner
mans in France, will ride again this
year. He has not signed, but stated
recently that he would soon so with
some team With a couple of months
training he expects to ride as fast as
ever.
A. G. Batchelder is not a candidate
for the office Of Racing Board Chair
man. Mr.. Batchelder stated to the
editor of "Cycle Topics" recently, that
he preferred to have Chairman Gideon
inasmuch as that gentle
man deserved the Office for the pains
taking and indefatigable efforts he has
made to compel the cycle riders to live
up to the mandates laid down by the
Racing Board MIR. Batchelder is GER
tain of being the Handicapped for New
York State. He is by far the best man
who ever held that office. Batchelder
knows every rider of any prominence
in the country, and gauges their ability
to nicely. In another year, perhaps,
Batch" will be ready to assume the
of the National Racing
Board.
A G. Batchelder announces that the
National Assembly should take some
steps to protect the Handicapped. Mr..
believes that every rider
who enters for handicap event should
be compelled to compete or stand pun
When the ladder of q race is
figured out from a scientific standpoint,
and several competitors refuse to ride,
it makes a bad break in the calcuIa-
tions and in many instances some of
the riders close to scratch withdraw
after seeing that their chance for win
ming are futile. 1t is a fault that should
ind a speedy remedy.
The race for the L. A. w. Presidency
Is becoming spirited indeed. A c. Will
lison. the present incumbent, is can
vassing for denomination, and has
Tor an opponent Sterling Elliott of Bos-
ton, an old league worker who is inter
ssted in good roads. Chairman Gideon
will accept reappointment to the Chair
of the Racing Board. Mr..
Gideon last year set out to develop re-
forms he believes will work to the best
interests of the sport. Howard E. Ray
nond had two years in Office, and was
for class b. Give Gideon a
chance to prove that this class for rae
ng men is distinctly worthy of encour-
igement! He is trying earnestly to ar
i've at this conclusion himself, though
Ie was trifie suspicious few months
ago.
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