The herald., 1896-06-22
THE WHEEL

So much has been said of late about
failures in the cycle trade, price cut
ting and the closing of factories that
word from keen observer in position
to study the situation in all Its phases.
will be of timely interest. interviewed
on the subject this gentleman said
There are fewer failures in this busi-
ness than any other, and as for price
cutting, that evil has been turned aside
by the counsel Of wiser heads. Con-
cerning the report of the closing of cycle
factories, advise you to place little be-
lief in them. 1t Is true that several have
shut down temporarily, but the trouble
with these is due directly to labor dis
sensions." The person interviewed was
r. Lindsay Coleman. president OF the
national cycle board of trade. and also
Of the Western Wheel works. Mr.. Cole
man has just been authorized by the ex-
ecutive committee of the board OF trade
to make all arrangements for the next
two national cycle exhibitions.
The cut which has been inaugurated
in the price of high grade bicycles
may not force general reduction i'm
mediately, but it is evident that the re-
duction cannot much longer be post
poned. Competition in bicycle making
Is now greater than In any other line OF
steel-working, but nevertheless there
Is still difference of several hundred
per cent between manufacturing cost
and the retail selling price of the So
called "high-grade" bicycles. One of
the beSt-known manufacturers in the
country is quoted as saying that the
wheel made by him to retail at S100 costs
less than $30 OF course, a great deal
of this difference goes for pushing the
goods on the market for retailers
profits and in other ways. But conceding
that, 1t still remains probable that the
highest-grade bicycle now sold might
easily be manufactured and retailed at
$50 with handsome profit for all who
handle 1t.
Bicycles are too high. A few dollars
will cover the cost of the raw material
in them. The cost is almost wholly la
Dor cost, and without any reduction of
wages it will allow so per cent cut in
present prices for gh-grade" goods.
The cut will certainly come. If it is
STAYED off this year it will probably come
next. The time is not very far off when
every family except the very poorest
can afford to own a bicycle of the best
make.-New York Times
Following is the program of the race
meet to be given by the Citrus Wheel
men at the Santa Monica track on the
afternoon of July 4th:
One-third mile dash, amateur; one
mile, open, amateur; two-mile handi-
cap, amateur; one mile, open, profess
sional; three-mile handicap profess
sional; amateur coasting contest
There will be prize list of $450O value
with 5000 added for special time made
In the different events.
The club has thought best to place the
admission at the popular price of 25
cents, and it is predicted that it will be
made the most interesting event in the
cycling season.
The divisions for the Journal-Exam-
iner yellow Fellow" transcontinentaJ
relay race have been decided upon and
the district managers appointed. The
following schedule has been arranged
by Arthur r. Grant, who represents 10.
=. Stearns d Co. as manager of the
relay and Henry Doyle, the plenipoten-
tiary of the New York Journal:
First division. San Francisco to Ellxo
New, 600 miles; S. G. Chapman, San
Francisco Examiner, division manager
Second division, Elko, New, to Rock
Springs, Wyo., 459 miles; George Mullet
Il Co.. Salt Lake City, Utah, division
managers
Third division. Rock Springs. wyo.,
TO kearney, Neb., 900 miles; Erswell Cy-
Gle company, Cheyenne, Wyo., division
managers
Fourth division, Kearney, Neb, to
Carroll, Ia, 220 miles; William Lisle
Dickey & Co., Omaha, Neb., division
managers.
Fifth division Carroll, Ia, to Clinton.
Ia, 225 miles; c. L. Hibbard, Cedar Rap
ids, Ia, division manager.
sixth division, Clinton, a., to South
Send' !nd., 22O miles; A. L. Jordan, st.
Louis, Mo-, division manager.
seventh division, South Bend, Ia, to
fremont, o., l6O miles; w. G. Alexander,
Toledo, O., division manager.
Eighth division. Fremont. O.. to Con-
neaut. o., 21O miles; Collister & Sayle.
Cleveland, O., division managers.
Ninth division, Conneaut, O., to Roch-