Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1896-02-28

PRESIDENT ELLIOTT.
classes A and B and substituting in
their stead purely amateur and profess
sional departments, while anything but
satisfactory to the old class b racing
men, can have but one result and that
will be an increase in the professional
ranks. While the assembly had no hesi-
fancy in reinstating all the class B
men to the amateur ranks the amateur
riders feel that this move was unjust,
and that the league Legislators could
more properly have transferred the men
in this class to the professional ranks,
where it has been admitted they justly
belong.
Racing men who have been racing
for prizes valued at $3.50, with the priv
ilege of travelling to meets wherever
they chose and having their expenses
paid, will naturally demur at the
changed condition of affairs and refuse
to ride for prizes reduced to $50.
Their riding district is now limited to
100 miles, and they are unable to either
receive salaries OF accept expenses. and,
accordingly. the noted riders in class b
last year will ride for cash prizes this
year.
The action Of the L. A. W. in reduo-
ing the prize value for amateurs from
$50 to $35 has been criticised adversely.
The league aims to promote and foster a
purely amateur class, and racing folk
maintain that this fact alone should in
duce some liberality in dealing with the
amateur class.
The racing men who were rated as
second and third class men last year are
rejoiced over their admission to the
amateur ranks, as they now see a chance
of prize winning.
1t seems likely that Charley M. Muir
ply and Eddie Bald will go abroad this
year to do some racing early in the sea-
son. These riders, with other class B
men, have taken up bicycle racing as a
means of livelihood, and must race for
cash; so that unless some professional
events with liberal purses materialize
this year, it is likely that big batch of
class B riders will go abroad. The man
ufacturers who have supported teams in
this country in the past are disposed to
send racing men abroad to race as pro-
fessionals, but seem reluctant to engage
them for that purpose in this country.
The race meet promoters throughout
the country, who have catered to class
B racing men and local class A men in
the past, will now be compelled, for the
purpose of holding their meets, to sub
stitute professional events, and they
can, instead Of offering diamond prizes,
as was the custom last year, award cash
to the same value.
The change in the racing conditions
demands a greater recognition of the
professional rider by the League of
American Wheelmen. These riders have
received scant attention from the league,
but under the existing condition of af =
fairs professional events will likely at
tain the prominence of class II, and all
the league clubs will, as a result, pro-
mote such events.
President Elliott announces that be-
fore he selects any of his committees he
intends to consult the various chief con-
suls throughout the country in relation
to choosing the most desirable men for
the position. Mr.. Elliott's plan is to
secure committeeman who will make
their respective departments as pIomi
nent as the racing department
The selection Of a chairman of the
racing board this year is exciting con-
siderable interest George d. Gideon of
/ Philadelphia, who had charge of the
racing interests last year, and who
! managed the racing affairs in so satis-
factory a manner, is considered the best
fitted man for the Office, but it is a we'll
, known fact that Gideon voted and
worked to elect A. C. Willison presi-
dent, and accordingly there is feeling
that President Elliott may overlook
him ON this account.
Henry Robinson of Massachusetts,,
: a member Of the national racing board
and chairman of his state racing board,
supported Elliott, and is talked Of as a
likely man to succeed Gideon.
I For the best interest Of racing it is
conceded on all sides that the wisest Sc
lection for the Craftsmanship of the rae
ing board will be the reappointment Of
Gideon.
President Elliott is convinced that
the numerical strength of the league is
not what it should be- considering the
great number Of wheelmen in this
country at the present time, and he in
tends TO use every effort to place the
membership at 10000 before the next
annual meeting of the national Assem-
bly,
The chief consuls throughout the DIFF.
! ferent DIVISIONS will be advised Of Pres