Birmingham state herald., 1896-07-28
UP-TO-DATE NEWS
FOR THE WHEELME BIN

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 There has never come to the attention of the writer a case where child car ried on bicycle has been injured. Still 1t seems an extremely hazardous piece of business to strap an infant into sean on the front of a machine, with no pos sble avenue of escape In case of acei- dent That children thus carried through a wish to give them pleasure and with the utmost care and consideration, there is no doubt. Yet the risk of killing or injuring the helpless mites of humanity is so great, be the rider ever so careful, that l cannot understand how parents and relatives will take the chances. Es- pecially is it dangerous in crowded city thoroughfares and parks.
 Unless all signs fail the bicycle and bloomer literature will be even more voluminous and bewildering the coming season than last.
 Those interested in a track here are anxious to know what has become of the one we were to have had here by August 1. A proposition was made to several members of the cycle club by well known wheelman to build first-class track near the city if they would agree to lease it for a number of years and conduct race meets on 1t. His proposl- t1OD was accepted dIu LII dSSoCidtioh was organized for the purpose Of leasing the grounds and the capital stock was paid in by the members. Officers were elected and everything was in readiness to give a big meet about August l. The parties who were to have built the track have been putting up excuses from time to time until MT. Snider who was to have the management of 1t for the asso- citation, has decided to wait ten days longer and If by that time work has not been begun will call n meeting of the as- sociation and decide what to do regard ing the building of one by themselves It looks at present as if the parties mak- ing the proposition have made a clear crawfish We need track in the city very badly, and there is money in the venture if some enterprising citizen would build one.
 It was rumored on the streets and pub lished in the papers during the first part of last week that w. E. Lum and Ben J. Pepperman of Montgomery and w. H. Pickens and Carl L. Stockin of this city had been transferred to the professional class by the racing board of the League of American Wheelmen. The report was in circulation while all of the gentlemen were attending the Montgomery races, and none. of them could be interviewed regarding the truth of the report. Messrs Pickens and Stockin returned from the Capital City on Thursday and were very much surprised to learn of the pubhca- tlon Mir. pickens says that the racing board have written him regarding the Demopolis meet, but he gave them sat- isfactory answer and has not heard from them since. Mir. Stockin said that he has never been investigated since the meet here and that there Is no truth In the re- port that he has been declared pro fesh." MT. Pickens states further that while Messrs. Lum and Pepperman had been investigated, they sent in satisfac- tory answers and he does not believe they will do anything with them. "I am an anna teur and will take part In the amateur races at Aberdeen, Miss, next Tuesday, and if am declared a profess sional I will stop riding for the season." said MT. Pickens..
 The only objection the most fastidious rider can find in the "sweater" this sea- son Is the name itself, and from all in- dications this objection isn't going to make much difference in the popularity of the article The counters of the big stores are piled high with them, and some of them are very fetching indeed They come In all sorts of fanciful waves and delicate colors. There are balloon sleeves, full fronts and high close fitting collars Many of them end at the waist line. and this gives the rider an oppor- tunity to display her tastes In belts. A good deal has been said against the sweater, but there is no gainsaying the fact that for long ride they are just the thing" There are times when a shirt waist would be out of the question entirely and jacket worse than nui- sance; then 1t is that We turn to the much abused sweater.
 Don't forget to keep to the right.
 
 A large party of wheemen and wheel women enjoyed a delightful picnic at McWiliams' spring on the Hoop course' road on Friday night. After enjoying delightful lunch the party returned to the city about 10 o'clock under the care of the full moon, which shone forth in all its glory. Such expeditions are very pop ular at this time of the year.
 The members of the Cycle club are very anxious to have another of those delight ful barbecues by moonlight. Captain Snider Is urged to bring the matter be- fore the board of directors at their next meeting and see what can be done to get up the entertainment.
 So many people ride bicycles nowadays that the scorcher iS a menace not only to pedestrians, but to other wheelmen The demand that reckless riding should be severely punished is growing every where.
 It is a very lamentable fact that the people of the south will not patronize bicycle racing as they should. The meet in Montgomery last week lost for the promoters something over $500. In sev- eral other cities in the south bicycle meets have lost big money this season. Bicycle racing Is the cleanest sport in the world, and such a thing as jockeying is never heard of. It is to be hoped that ere long the people will awaken to the fact that cycle racing is to succeed horse racing al some day not distant and that the meets will be given good support.
 During the recent meet at Montgom- cry w. k. Lum, the youngster who holds the one. two and five mile state cham pionships, rode an exhibition mile in 2:07 which is the southern record. Lum is showing rare form and will take part in the national meet at Louisville, going with the Birmingham delegation Lum has started in sixteen races this season and has won thirteen of them and get ting three seconds. which Is a wonderful
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