The morning times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1897, 1896-08-18

The Washington delegation which visited
the national bicycle race meet at Louis
vile, reached home yesterday afternoon.
The party was composed OF Chief Consul
W. I. Robertson OF the District division
OF the league, Handicapped William Jose.
and Mr.. j. c. Woods. The three gentle
men had a most pleasant trip aud are sorry
that large delegation of Washington
riders was not present. They feel this
especially in regard 10 the racers. They
say that some OF the Washington boys
could have scoOped the prizes in the anna
teur events. The track is the finest in
the country and was IN excellent condi-
ton.
WASHINGTONIANS THERE.
The number OF strangers present was not
as large as was expected. The estimated
number was 900. Twenty thousand
were expected and the falling off was due
TO the heat. The first three days OF the
meet the heat was almost unbeaTable and
it was only after Wednesday night that
the weather became ut all comfortable.
The Washington party took part in the
bicycle parade. They report that with big
crowds watching the parade the police
easily kept the streets clear. The | ocal
men joined the Rambler meet club and
led the parade. All the members Were
dressed IN ladies' shirt waists, and 'Bil ~
Jose, by common consent, carried off the
palm. The club was entertained by Mr.
Prince Wells, one OF the leading dealers
OF the city.
AT the big watermelon run Washington
was kept right To the front When the
crowd OF wheelnen re ached the spot L h osen
for the feast a great rush was made The
Washington boys and their friends waited
awhile, and then, fearing they would get
left, they made a charge on the wagon.
To get through the crowd they had to
form "A flying wedge. The football tactics
worked all right, but the wagon was
empty.
Then they heard that another wagon
load of melons was on its way out. The
entire party then charged back toward
the city, flying wedge and all, and cap
tured the wagon train. They laid in stock
enough to feed a regiment and retired to
a Deighboring field to enjoy their spoiis
They agreed with all OF them except Mr.
WOONs. In the ScOrChing race back To the
city. paced by tandem and with over
one hundred starters, Messrs Robertson
and Jose came in first and second. re-
spectively. Mr.. Woods was not heard from
for several hours. and the only excuse his
friends could offer was that he had been
overcome By Kentucky watermelon.
RACING BOARD
The national racing board cut down some
of the suspensions, but took no action on
Fred Simms' case. Mr.. Robertson tIi,d to
have a talk with Mr.. Gideon, but THAT gentle
man was called away most unexpectedly
and left before anyone knew OF bis inten-
ton. The District chief consul wanted to
talk about some OF tie local riders.
In speaking Of the trip. last evening MI
Robertson sad. I'm awfully sorry some
OF our local riders Were not there. Schade
could have taken everything III the amateur
class had lie been there. We had good
time d, spite the heat. but that undoubtedly
kept away thousands OF riders We all
owned the city. We could do as we pleased
and scorching was paid no attention to.
The Louisville people Were most hospitabie
indeed and i wish more District boys had
been there to enjoy the kindness"