Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-02-13
WHEELMEN'SLEAGUE
There Art Only Two Sorts Of Riders IN
II Now. j.
CLASS WIPED OUT OF EXISTENCE
Choice VIII I'm rutsre Have to lie
Made Between Amateurism ana
ProfessionaIism-A Theatre Party
Cycle Jokes.
Cycle Jokes.

BALTIMORE. MD. February l2.--in
consequence OF action to-day OF the
League of American Wheelmen there are
but two classes OF American wheelmen.
Class B, generally known as pro-
amateurs, is wiped out OF existence. There
are 573 OF this class OF riders. all OF whom
will be given the option either Of becom-
ing amateurs or OF accepting profess
sionaiism. This definitely settles an agfta-
ton that has been troubling wheel
men for years. and has taken most
prominent part in their affairs ever since
the sport was known
Class B. which is now abolished. was
middle ground between amafeurism and
professionalism, and was adopted by the
body at the suggestion of Howard b.
Raymond, of Brooklyn. then chairman OF
the National Racing Board. in Louisville,
in 1898. having previously been withdrawn
at the convention in New York the year
previous.
When cycling began TO assume IT'S pres
ent large proportions. and the making of
bicycles opened wide field for profitable
Investment. competition demanded ad-
vertisement. 1t was found by the makers
that IL they could get fast-racing-men to
ride their wheels II aided greatly In the
sales, as some OF the guileless assumed
that IL was the wheel and not the mas
that won the race The regulations OF the
great manufacturers of this country were
being built up on that basis The competi-
tion then became keen among the
n
the rewards to them reached large pro-
portions, and thus started the scandal
OF bicycle racing. which has been wiped
out to-day.
There has been growing for years
sentiment TO class these men as pro-
fessionals, and to-days action is the
fruition of that agitation. The immediate
result is 10 remove the cloak OF ANA
teurism from. professionals.
AGITATION UNEXPECTED.
The agitation which led to the decision
was unexpected. Amendments TO tho
constitution and bylaws were under con-
sideration. and several having bearing
upon Class b had been adopted. without
an effort in the direction OF abolishing
the class. In the discussion OF n pro-
posed amendment offered by Chairman
Gudeon. OF the Racing Board, several
amendments 10 the amendment were pro-
posed. until. finally, Albert Mott OF Balti-
more, made a motion to strike out all
reference to Class b, and TO make q
new heading In the constitution Of pro
feesionals."
The suggestion was debated with grow
ing excitement. until the convention was
in an uproar. The unanimlty OF Che
sentiment in favor OF abolshing Class
b was Unexpectedly pronounced. Cries OF
"Vote" came from all parts OF the hall.
and Mr.. Motifs motion was carried almost
unanimously Three cheers were given
when the result was announced.
The convention disposed OF thirty-six
of the forty pending amendments to the
Constitution before It adjourned at s
o'clock. or that number eight were
withdrawn. four lost. and twenty-four
added. The action in several cases was
annulled by the abolishment later on OF
Glass B. None OF the other amendments
were specially important.
Tonight the delegates were given a
theatre party by the Maryland Bicycle
| Club. Ford's Opera House was thronged
TO the doors with pedalers and dealers
and their lady friends De Wolf Hopper
and his company introduced all manner
of wheel jokes into "Dr. Syntax" for tire
amusement Of the great audience OF
wheelmen.