The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-04-19
THE ARMSTRONG BILL.
THE RAILROADS. MUST CARRY b.
CYCLES As BAGGAGE.
The Effects of Baseball on Road Riding
Have You Subscribed TO the
Missing Link.

keep 10 the right.
To a wheolman the street sprinkler is
typical Of the second deluge.
The bicycle carnival viii doubtless make
many now riders among the smart set.
il you would enter begin TO learn now.
A few poor riders would kill the beauty
Of the carnival
BE honest with yourself. Ride over
the missing link track and then so and
subscribe towards its completion
A ride IN the country Is 10 commune
with nature IN her freshest beauty.
Lakeside Park grows in popularity A
spin through the bright afternoon sum- a
rest at the Lakeside, refreshments at
the cafe. and a delightful ride nome
through The cleaning makes up the de-
lights of "a most enchanting outing.
Miss May Handy. who Is TO lead the
proposed bicycle carnival, is now in Bal
timore.
More attention is being paid this sea
son To costume among bicyclists of both
sexes than ever before. Tho wheeiman
IN ordinary dress is now rather the eX-
ccption than the rule.
The hills of Richmond are rot inviting
10 whcclmen, the uneven payments are
not encouraging. and the rough streets
are very disagreeable. but all are heaven
Is COMPARED TO that great bicycle
squelcher. the street sprinkler. The man
who win regulate the practice OF street
sprinkling 10 some reasonable hour and
Quantity viii be the greatest public
benefactor of the age. Gentlemen OF the
street Committee. who shall he be?
Ficycles as baggage is now the cry
among wheelmen all over the North.
New York's example is being followed I'm
many other States, and ii looks a. II the
railroads will all have to come TO H..
The Norfolk and Western IS the only road
IN this State requiring bicycles TO be paid
for, and little do they know how many
passengers they have lost on this account.
There IS a noticeable dimihution In the
number of wheelmen on the road IN the
early afternoon since the league ball
games commenced, and the increased
number after the BAH is over shows why
It is so.
MISSING LINK TRACK.
Now is the time that the missing link
track begins 10 be useful. The dust in
the road from Broad street TO the bridge
Is about two or three inches In depth
and I'm the worst Of conditions for riding.
The Missing-Link Track is in superb
condition. and much used by all classes
of cyclists, from the umid beginner to
the veteran rider. As soon as there is
another rain the track will be again
rolled. SO as to smooth out any wavyness
that may be IN it.
Sixty hundred and fifty dollars IS the
amount required TO complete the track
and make the connection between the
Boulevard and Major Ginters beautiful
roads. All parties who have not handed
f...t, aaa - g.
50 at once. No contributions under one
dollar allowed. Please make your con-
trIbution a. large as possible.
Ladies are especially requested 10 sub
scribe.
All subscriptions must be handed in or
sent 10 the treasurer OF the Misslng-Link
Track.
THE ARMSTRONG BILL.
The Armstrong bill, providing that all
railroad companies in the State Of New
York shall carry bicycles free Of charge
as baggage. when accompanied by their
owners. was passed by the Assembly al
Albany last Wednesday by an almost
unanimous vote and the governors sig
nature viii make 1t law.
This bll hes been before New York's
lcgisl}'ive body for nearly three months
during which time the officers Of the
League OF American Wheelmen have been
making a most earnest light for its Pas
sage.
us importance is not alone for the re-
suit in New York State. 1t Is the first
attempt which has been made TO compel
the carrying Of wheels as baggage, all
previous efforts having been in the line
OF showing the railroad companies that
81 was 10 their advantage TO cater 10
wheelmcn. Through the hard work OF
tho different chaiUnen OF the transporta-
ton commltte Of the national organiza-
ton. the league has for years been en-
abled 10 secure these rights on at least
q portion Of the roads, and ar times on
nearly ali OF them. Railroad men have.
however. viewed the constant increase OF
this traffic with dislike. and various at
tcmpts have been made al trunk line aud
baggage agents meetings - bring about
a change. Unanimous action has never
been possible. for the simple reason that
the Baltimore and Ohio Company, which
w~s the first 10 cater 10 wheeimen' ana
- Invariably stood by them, has always
refused 10 enter into any agreement TO
make charges fer the transportation Of
bicycles.
WHY 1T WAS DONE.
Last year il was decided that the mat
ter should be- left 10 the option OF the va
rious roads, and an previous agreements
wac dc clared null and void A number
Of roads Immediately put "a tariff into et-
feet that made the carrying of bicycle
sgHeWhat OF a luxury. Hence the action
~ the league. With the passage OF SUCH
q law i'm New York IL should not be a an
ncult matter TO secure the introduction
Of similar bills in other State legislatures.
The league has not asked the rail
roads 20 check two pieces OF baggage.
but simply TO carry the wheel free when
accompanied by the owner The princi-
pal objection has been that the 22-poupd
bicycle required more care in handling
than the lJ0-pound trunk. and II coI-d
not be piled on TOP of anything or thrown
around indiscrhbnately
That 1T rs a trine harder 60 manage
must Doe admitted. and that il Is liable TO
be unruly when the train strikes "A curve
IL also indisputablo. but this is the fault
OF the railroad company I'm not providing
proper facilities. A few "meat-hooks" IA
the roof OF the car would do away with
all OF the trouble for then the wheels
could be easily hung out OF the way and
out Of danger. This plan has been tried
sad found TO work admirably and many
clubs and dealers who find economy OF
space desirable can testify TO the desira-
bllity OF the method.
The passage OF the Armstrong Dill is the
opening wedge In a movement which il Is
20 be hoped viii bs thoroughly successful.
The demand Is "a just one. and as its fair
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