The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-02-13
WHIRL AMONG THE WHEELMEN
CLASS ABOLISHED BY AN ALMOST
UNANIMOUS VOTE.

The Class a Middle Ground Between
Amatcurism and Professionalism.
The Riders for the Manufacturers
of Wheels All in 1.-THE Action OF
the Convention Came Like n Thun-
dercIap.
Baltimore. Feb. Pin consequence of
to-day's action in the League of American
Wheelmen's convention. there are now
but two classes of bicyclists. Glass 3.
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 becoming anna
tours or OF accepting professionalism.
This definitely settles an agitation that
has been in progress. among wheelmen for
years. and has taken a most prominent
part in their affairs ever since the sport
was known.
Glass b. which is now abolished. was a
middle ground between amateurism and
professionalism. and was adopted by the
bicyclers body at the suggestion of How
ard B. Raymond of Brooklyn, then chair
man of the national racing board, at the
convention in Louisville. in 1898. it having
previously been withdrawn at the con-
vention in New York the year previous.
When bicycling began to assume its
present large proportions, and the making
of bicycles opened wide field for profit
able investment, competition demanded
advancement. 1t was announced by the
makers that if they could get fast racing
men to ride their wheels It aided greatly
in the sales, as some of the guileless as
sumed that it was the wheel and not the
man that won the races. The reputation
of the great manufacturers of this coun-
try and England were builded on that
basis. The competition then became keen
among the makers for the services of the
flyers and the rewards to them reached
large proportions and thus started the
scandal of bicycle racing, which has been
wiped out to-day.
There has been growing for years a
sentiment to class these men as profess
SIGNALS, and to-day's action is u fruition
of that agitation. The immediate result
of the action is to remove the cloak OF
amateurism from professionals.
The agitation which led TO the decision
was most unexpected. Amendments "a
consideration and several, having bear
ing upon class b had been adopted with
out an effort'in the direction Of abolishine
the class. In the discussion of proposed
appointment offered by Chairman Gideon
of the racing board, several amendments
to the amendment were made, until finally
to strike out all reference to class b. and
TO make a new heading in the constitution
of professional"
The suggestion was debated with grow
ing excitement until the convention was
in an uproar. The unanimty of the senti-
ment In favor of abolishing the b. class
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 seVenty-four pending amendments
to the constitution before II adjourned, al
8 o'clock. until 10 o'clock tomorrow morn
ing. OF that number eight were with
drawn, four lost and twenty-four adopted
The action taken in several cases was
annulled by the adjustment later on OF
Class B. None of the other amendments
were specially important
Tonight the delegates were given the
alter party from the Maryland Bicycle
Club. Ford's Opera House was thronged
to the doors by pedalers, dealers and their
female companions De Wolf Hopper and
his company introduced all manner of
wheel Jokes into Dr. Syntax for the amusc-
ment Of the great audience Of wheelmen.