New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-01-12
been re-adopted this year after having been
imprudently abandoned

imprudenty abandoned
James H. Townsend. the vice president Of the
NEciis's Federation, Is indignant at the criti-
cism heaped upon the New-York State Division
OF the League OF American Wheelmen. lie says
in part: "ln common with many other wheel
men with whom l have conferred l am de-
cldedly surprised at the publication-not only
in one Of the cycling papers. but elsewhere
or reflections upon the action of the State Board
OF Officers of the League of American Wheel
men at their recent meeting in voting an al
lowance TO the Chief Consul and salary and
Office expenses to the secretary-trea surer Of
the Empire State Division of the League, and
upon the movement inaugurated at that meet
ing IN favor Of the Leagues abandonment of
the control of cycle racing I attended the
meeting as a delegate. expecting to find de-
cided opposition to the Leagues going out of the
racing business and devoting itself to what
understood. when joined the League. its
objects. viz. the securing of good roads and
the protection of the rights of wheelmen. It
was matter therefore, of agreeable surprise
to find representative body of men from all
sections OF the State practically unanimous in
their belief that the control OF cycle racing
was an injury to the League and prevented far
more wheelmen from joining it than it ever
made members. The opposition, may say. to
the resolution instructing the delegates to vote
for this abandonment of cycle racing at the
confined tostwo persons | am sure that could
the 10000 League members in New-York State
alone be heard from individually this sub
Ject. a large majority would indorse the ac-
ton Of the State Board. and that the Same
would be true in other States. and have yet
To learn that il is wise safe to allow a
minority interest. especially where it is mat
ter of self-interest tc control year in and year
out majority"
When the members OF the New-Utrech Cy-
cling Club learned on Wednesday that their
club had been expelled from the Bowling
League of the Associated Cycling Clubs of
Long Island, for non-payment of dues. there
was CONSERVATION written on every face. The
money subscribed the first night that the
club decided TO enter the tournament. and
George Conrady the clubs secretary and treas
urer. positively declares that he forwarded ii to
William Tate, of the Bowling Committee, and,
of course. he is upheld by the members.
thorough investigation is to he made. George
La Savage the captain of the bowling team
said: IF what Conrady said is true, some one
else will have TO bear the brunt Of this. The
bowling end is separate division of the club.
and the members all prompt In turning
the money over to the treasurer. We will NOT
get out of the tournament unless obliged
to. and We will Vindicate ourselves. not only To
our own community. but TO the clubs Of Brook
Ign, and preserve the clubs good standing
Among the hundreds Of new devices that are
designed to add to the comfort and pleasure OF
the bicycle rider the latest Is article the nam"
Of which will add brand-new word 10 the die
tionary-the "chronodometer." 1t measures time
like a watch: it measures distance like c>
clometer: IL starts and stops at Will ike stop
watch-does all three at once. I l. attached 70
the front wheel. Is controlled from the handle
bar. and is self-winding The two hands on the
dial working in unison. rider is enabled 10
gauge their rate Of speed TO nicely.
How potent Is the contagion Of good example,
The L. A. W. Bulletin" in its issue for Deem
Der IS last. contained in its list Of applications
for membership the name Of Frederick w Wurs-
ter who became thu Mayor Of Brooklyn on Now
Years Day In the issue % The Bulletin for
January is found The name OF Wilbur NJ.
Palmer. who was secretary to Mayor Schiefeh
and has been reappointed by Mayor Wuir'er'
Mr. Palmer learned to ride the old high wheel.
or Ordinary" as it is now commonly called. ten
or a dozen years ago. but did not take 10 me
safety until 1894. In his scho9lboy days he be-
came expert ridei on the velocip"ie' when
fiour.shed in the latter part OF the seventh decade
of the century.
From time mmemoria wheemen have enjoyed
the privilege OF using the broad walks on the
outside Of Prospect Park. and within the last
two years their privileges there have been en-
| larged by the provision Of bridges across the
cutters at some points and by the cutting down
OF the curbstones at other. so that 1t was pos
sible 20 make the circuit Of the Park without
| dismountne Tha' they have a legal right on
| these walks Is an open question, but custom
would seem to have armed them with several
| points at least OF the law on their side. A few
| months ago a pedestrian walking along one side
OF the Park was hit and hurt by a bicycle,
whereupon a complaint was lodged with the
PARK Commissioner and the threat made that the
! city Of Brooklyn would be held responsible for
the resulting injuries. ThereupOn order was
posted near the main entrance to the Park an
| nouncine that all riders should dsmount in
crossing the asphalt-paved walk at that point,
| and at times when many riders were out a po-
| liceman was stationed there 10 see that the order
| was obeyed. This arrangement evidently did not
! give satisfaction, and now means nave been
/ taken 10 make II certain that every cyclst riding
! an the outside path shall get off his wheel here
4 few days row Of posts was set across the
path at the place referred to. so close together
| that IL is impossible for any Wheel unless pos
sbly one Of the old fashioned high ones, 10 be
ridden between them The posts are not in
straight line. but run in "A zig-Zag fashion. The
bridge crossing the gutter on the Piaza side or
the asphalt walk has also been taken up. Now
| the Park authorities will meet all the wishes Of
wheelmen by simply placing that stone bridge
| across the gutter on Flatbush ave, few feet
south Of the obstructive row OF posts, or by cut
ting away the curbstone there so that bicycle
| may be ridden up down it without too severe
jolt
Thus far the bicycle has not cut much OF fig
ure in literature But that Is to be changed.
The day Of the bicycle a means of giving
local color" to the story Of the period Is at
| hand One OF the magazines offers prize for
the best short story sent in to it in which the
hicvclo plavs an important part. Here Is an