New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-12
nv THE OPEN AIR


The riders Of bicycles are now so formidable
in numbers and in zeal that legislatures bow
before them, and e;en the most naughty ana
arrogant OF Aldermen hasten to do their nd
ding Our State Senate and Assembly were
pretty nearly unanimous in adopting the Dill
which will compel the railroads to carry wheels
without charge as the personal baggage OF pas
senccrs 1t is evident that the wishes Of the
devotecs Of the "safetes" carry great weight
at Albany and elsewhere. In everything ex-
cept the backward weather the times smile upon
the armies Of enthusiasts who hnd their great
est delight in pushing pedals and April Will
soon beam bcniGnantly upon the hosts of vota-
ries OF good roads. The chief problem before
riders is the finding OF sufficient Of easy
access for their enjoyment without crowding.
So many men, women and children are now
adopts with the handle-bars, and SO big are the
throngs of rapidly advancing pupils in the
schools, that ere long our parks and boulevards,
our avenues and our streets. may be far too
narrow for the lcgions Of eager riders. Mean
while the makers Of wheels are rubbing their
hands and chortling in their JOY as their bank
accounts go jumping up 10 stupcndous totals.
The baseball zcalots in this capital are not SO
cheerful and exultant AS are the manufacturers
ball club was managed in such way last year
as TO deserve much severe criticism, and the man
agement was covered with public disesteem as
with garment at the end OF the season Cnforti-
nately the men who control the organization are
showing this year the same lack OF Judgment,
the same narrowncss Of views and the same
peeyish pctulancc which made them unpop,
ular In 1900 The outlook for the NewforH
Baseball Club Is distinctly diScouraging. and
many admirers of the game are likely TO seek
ton for their gricfs and dlsappointmcnts
over the defeats Of the NewYork nine by de-
voting themselves to golf or some other form ~
entertainment In fact. they may possibly be
come 80 Respondent and SO desperate as to aban-
don baseball altogether.
The drivers Of fast trottcrs are not much more
jubilant than the followers Of the so-called Ma
| tional Game. They We're anticipating with the
| highest hopes the use OF the Speedway this sea
| son. But the work on the Speedway was put
in the hands OF Tammany contractors. and for
a considerable time Tammany oiiiCc-hodcrs ap-
proved careless and unsatisfactory construction.
The result is, as witty afterdinncr speaker
remarked recently: I'VE have on our hands a
''Tammany Speedway, and the trouble Is that
'the bottom has dropped out Of H." Hence fast
|
way at an early day, and JerOmc-ave. IL In
| chaotic condition The men who hold the rcins
over the Arions and Sunos OF the road are
not, as a rule, richly endowed with the patience
OF Job, and, naturally. they are Inclined 10 find
fault while their opportunities for their favortc
diversion are so restricted as they now are.
| But II the baseball worshlppers and the lovers
| Of swift trottlng stock are downhcartcd. the
wcarers OF Scotch golfng suits. the Keepers OF
wlckets, the members Of yacht clubs, and the
| friends OF the Thoroughbred have reasons Tor
rejoicing Golf links abound and So do steam
and sailing yachts while Of cricket players there
Is no lack. Adorcrs OF rapid running on the
racctracks feel sure that the contests OF the
turf in the Empire State will be more attractive
| In 1896 than ever before and better managed.
| High-class sports OF many varieties will flourish
in the United States this year. Great tlocks OF
Americans In search OF pleasure will 20 10 Eu-
rope in 1896 as they have gone In many previous
years But II they look around little, nicli-
gent Americans can find plenty OF fun nj home.