The morning times., 1896-07-04
DEFEND THE WOMEN RIDERS
Ministers and Physicians on the
ti-Wheeling Crusade.
Meet the Arguments of the Rescue
League With Logic and
Science.

The anti bicycling crusade, begun by tie
Wonian's Rescue League, has revived tile
discussion of woman and the wheel which
had apparently beeu buried under the
spread OF the craze.
The assertions made in the Rescue
Leagues circular, printed in The Morn
ing Times OF yesterday are not fully con-
CURED in by physicians and ciergynien
Many members Of these two pIoiessioi-s
have been interviewed by The Times and
tue practically unanimous opinion is that
the League has exaggerated the conditions.
Nine-teDths OF the gentiemea- seen were
decidedly opposed to the stand taken by
the League. With a single exception they
expressed themselves as favoring the bi-
cycle asa source ofinuocent amusement and
also as Il health promoter.
II is arguing from lalsc premises, they
We're agreed, to claiin because a great num-
ber of bad women ride bicycles that it
follow that all women who ride them are
bad. or even have tendency to lie bad.
As 4 matter of fact il is maintained that
as Il factor Of iminorafity bicycle riding is
not so dangerous "A pastime as excursions,
buggy riding, picnics and similar amuse-
menfs There is another point on which
all are agreed. and that is that n person
riding bicycle must have a clear read.
women. and consequently the indulgence III
drink. which is acknowledged the most dan
gerous step, is OF necessity avoided.
As TO American women as a class bein &
frail. the idea was deridcd. The American
women OF all classes and conditions of life
are, 1t is claimed, as strong and healthy and
can endure as much as the women Of tie
same class and condition the world over.
AS to the dress OF the woman bicyclist it
was agreed by the physicians TO be nutonly
an improvement on the skirts which drag
in the mud, but also on account Of its loCse-
ness adds greatly to comfort and health.
Below are given a fe W interviews con tain
ing the gist OF many:
Dr. B. b. Adams said: "Some riders are
benefited while others are not; 1t all de-
pc nds on the rider. who must use judgment
and not overdo 1t. 1t is really not as
fatguing as a sewing machine, but OF
course all things eau be carried to excess.
On the whole. il is Beneficial to I he person
because Of the loose clothing and he fresh
air exercise. As TO the American women.
they are ss strong and as healthy rs any
In the world"
DIR. j. Lambert Delaney: II am an ad-
vocate Of bicycle riding as a Healthy exer-
else for women. The only trouble is in the
OVERRIDING Of il The only danger is in
wome n trying to ride up high incliues and
hills at too rapid pace. American women
compare favorably with the W. men OF the
world in health and strength
Rev. DR.. Newman. pastor OF the First
Congre gatioual Church. said he believed
in bicycle riding as "a pleasant and healthful
form OF recreation and found that the in
discriminate condemnation Of it would do
more harm than anything else. Because
bad wome n ride bicycles is 10 reason what
ever that others should not. A S far as its
immoral tendency is concerned. II does
not give the opportunities which buggy
riding and many other forms of amusement
which mig ht be mentioned do. LAS far as
Tie cress is conCerned.'' he sHid. lit looks
very nice. aud Is much better than some OF
the styles in vogue. for Instance" and the
doctor pointed to a lady trying to keep
ninc- yard balloon skirt from sweeping the
street.
Rev. DR.. Wallace Radcliffe of the New
York Avenue Presbyterian Church laughed
heartily at the idea of considering the
sub iect seriously. He liked to see the
girls riding bicycles: they looked fine
sure IT was splendid exercise for them.
If anyone can see anything immoral in a
bicycle it is more than he can do.
Rev. DR.. Down OF ST. Paul's Lutheran
Church said the bicycle had nothrg to
do with the question. ''If people are
going to the devil they will get there
II they have to walk. It's the people. and
not the bicycles, that are to blame.
There are great many more oppor-
tunities and temptations conducive to
to be found on eIcurs ion
boats. buggy rides and similar diversions
than in cycling"