The herald., 1896-10-26

feat, said: johnson certainly had the
fastest pacemakers, but did not appre-
ciate this in time. My men were going
at a fair clip, when Johnson came up
from behind with rush. I thought the
triplet that was pacing me would be
able to hold the gait, but they had just
paced preceding race, and did not even
get a chance to be rubbed down. Under
such circumstances it was no wonder
they were unable to get away. But
should have watched for an opportunity
and jumped behind Johnson. I did not
do 1t, however, and must wait for
good opportunity to get even.
The long looked for championship has
not been settled, and there are three
kings. According to the report Of cir
cult follower, Cooper and Bald are tied
for first place. A report sent out early
last week gave Bald the championship.
But 1t was not taking into consideration
another rider who Is classed among the
fastest on the circuit. Tom Butler of the
Stearns team has as much license to be
called the champion as either of his RI
walls. Butler did not join the circuit till
1t had progressed we'll north, and did
not follow it to any extent after the
Springfield meet. He had not the op-
portunities to fatten his percentage that
were at the disposal of his competitors.
Withal Butler is the phenomenon Of the
year, if he cannot wear the champion
ship crown. He does that in the minds
of the American public.
A new bicycle hat for fall wear has
just been brought out and has instantly
become popular. Ever since the United
States army adopted the picturesque
soft hat Of the cowboy, so distinctively
American, for its field equipment, the
world of fashion has been gradually ac-
n O. q q a fxrtan a nd I'M
the past summer it was quite generally
used for bicycyling, golfing, coaching
and other similar sports. 1t has proved
particularly effective for riding in the
fall, however, and at present is having
a great run. E. V. Connect & Company
of New York have prepared some special
styles of soft hats for this particular
purpose and they have sold at sight
wherever shown. The new bicycle hat
is well porportioned, made from fine
stock by skilled labor, handsomely
trimmed and finished in attractive color.
If racing men will not abide by the ad-
vice of their trainers what use are their
trainers? They might be employed as
'rubbers down." but no manufacturer
Is going to pay princely salary to sllp-
port such an individual when the lSoor
can be hired for so cents day. No bet
ter illustration Of the foolhardiness of
recent incident at Chicago, where Frank
| Waller the long distance champion, was
beaten in a 24-hour race, because he
disregarded the admonitions of his train
! er. Waller was sure winner of first
place, $1,000 in coin of the realm, and
would doubtless now hold several
American records. He wanted oysters
| and his trainer refused to diet him on
this sea food. Waller grew obstrepu-
Gus, and ate the bivalves in large guam
| titles. Waller was beaten. There is no
need to point out the moral
{ If there is a man in America today
capable of giving Jimmy Michael, the
| Welchman, brush in an hour race it is
| Nat Butler of Cambridge, Mass, who
is rapidly convalescing from the effects
| of the bad spill he had at Springfield,
| which retired him with broken should
| er bone. Butler is one of those orange
riders who have been chasing around
the country and winning fat prizes. He
| is a handicap rider from the word go, and
| has won more of these events than any
rider in the country. Butler has been
matched to meet Michael, and will
doubtless compete with the foreigner
at the Coliseum at Chicago some time
| in November.
The Southern circuit, arranged by the
racing board, has been abandoned be-
cause a certain tire concern could not
| send its team on that loop. 1t has been
said that racing could live without the
bicycle manufactures. If this is not re-
pudiated by the action taken by the rae
ing board, there is no illustratio forth
| coming on the point at all. Professional
racing would be a sorry article were it
not for the fact that the maker is inter-
! ested in the game and giving it sup
port.
! Australia will be the Mecca for many
| racing men the coming winter. The big
| purses offered, and the hand of welcome.
that extends the 5000 miles, is an in
ducement many of the cracks find hard
| to refuse. Some of them are now max
ing arrangements to journey to the An
| tipodes
i The following is the form of guarantee
| to be given with all 1897 bicycles, and
which was adopted by the board of d.
rectors Of the National Cycle Board of
Trade at their last meeting:
1--WE agree with the purchaser of each
.......... bicycle to make good, by repair
or replacement, when delivered at our
factory, transportation prepaid, any i'm
| perfection or defect in material or man
ufacture of such bicycle not caused by
rnisue or neglect, provided that the
| factory serial number shall be on such
bicycle at the time the claim is made
! and that all imperfect or defective parts
shall be referred to us before any claim
for repair or replacement shall be al
lowed. This guarantee continues for
six months from the date of the sale
by the agent"
At the same meeting it was the gener-
| ally expressed sentiment of the board
that the conduct of racing in all it's as
poets shall be left entirely in the hands
of the League of American Wkeelmen.
There Is a rumor in the air that A. A.
| Zimmerman will return to the track
The old war horse claims he is no "has
| BEEN" and refuses to be classed with
that aggregation. He was wonderful
rider in his day, and the only distinct
champion America ever had. But it
must be remembered that Zimmerman
had not the best of competitors in his
day, that now characterize the compe-
tition of the three riders who are strug-
Cling for the supremacy. Should Zim-
| norman return to the path his advent
will be marked by rousing reception
from the public for Zimmerman is pop
ular; he was once the champion.
Here is the latest bulletin of the racing
| board:
Bulletin No. q. Oct. 20, 1896.
Sanctions granted-October 81, Gar.
den City Cyclers, San Jose. CAL; Novesn-
Der Z. Los Angeles Road club, Los An
geles, CAL; November rs, Los Angeles
h1ntt ayy