The evening times., 1896-10-24
RAYM0ND'S TRIP ABROAD
Excl lirman of Racing Board
Talks of His Journey.
MADE A PLEA FOR BANKER
international Cyclists Union Agreed
That the American Should Have
Been Declared the Worlds Cham
pion, But Were Powerless to Do
Anything-Wheeling Gossip.

howard Il. Raymond, formerly chairman
| GIthc Racing Board of the Lea que Of Amer.
icah "heelnen, has JusJ arrived home from
| a Trip To Europe. He has been studying the
cycle question in all its phases on the Con
inent since the carly part Of August, and In
consequence had many Interesting things
To say regarding foreign wheels and racing
men.
When he went abroad Mr.. Raymond car
ried credentials from the National Racing
Board rs representative OF the L. A. W.
at the worlds championship races, which
were held at Copenhagen last August, and
ais0 ut the meeting OF the International
Cyclists Onion, held at the same place. In
speaking or his trip the ex-chairInan said:
81 had very successful trip abroad, both
from pleasure and business standpoint
| attended the meeting OF the International
Cyclists Union, at Copenhagen, on August
10, 16 and II, and made Il speech pro-
testing against the treatment Of George a
Banker, the American cyclist, who compet-
ed in the previous worlds championships
held Mt Cologne.
Banker qualified in his heat, and when
the men lined up Tor the final, rider
named Protin, who had not qualified,
WIS on tHS MARX. Inc OtIiCldIs Stlu ne
had been allow ed to ride in the final, as
the man who had finished in front OF him
had been disqualified. Banker Won the
race with ease, aud the officials then de
cided thatt they were wrong. Upon IL
protest, Protin was left out of the next
race, " hch was also won by Banker
Protin's protest was then allowed, and
the run over took place after Banker had
sailed for this country Protin rode the dis
tauce, and was then declared to be th.
worlds professional champion.
Il asked the delegates of the Inter
national Cyclists Union " hat Justice there
" as in such a decision, and they all fully
agreed With me that Baukcr should have
received the first prize and the cham
pionship. They were utterly poweriess to
do anything, the delegates who held
office at that timc had since been removed
and nothing further could be done about the
matter. | have no doubt, how ever that
it is pleasing for Americans to think that
their representative in the WORLDS cham
pionships is looked upon as the real cham
pion among those abroad. The events ere
all paced ana the foreigners have the pae-
ing down to the finest point.
The one-mile amateur championship OF
the world WAS won ny Reynolds, power
full representative of ireland, while the
present worlds professional champion is
Bourillon, OF France, who defeated Barticn
OF England, and Jacquelin, OF his native
country. The latter, however, according
to my Judgment is the fastest man III all
Europe, as lie las successfully held the
Brassard challenge trophy against all com
ers during the entire season, only losing
il once, and then regaining it.
The possession Of this trophy brings
Jacquelin in an income OF 81 a day, but
he must be open to all challenges
1t is my sincere hope that next year the
l.. A. W. will have some representatives
at the worlds championship races, which
VIII be decided in Scotland. 1t appears
TO be shame that with all our crack riders
America should not be represented at the
meetings. Ny plea for Banker was in vain.
as Chairman Gideon, OF the national racing
board, was year late in sending a repre-
Of the L. A. W. abroad"
The eX-Chairman further stated that
American products in the bicycle line
would not have a very large sale in Eu-
rope, as il is expected that just as soon as
many American firms started to sell wheels
there the government officials would pass
laws placing heavy duty upon them. A
of bicycle manufacturers in
Farnce, according TO Raymond has already
started movement to have such a law
passed in that country. Austria has al
ready placed an extra tax OF SIG ON all
wheels. However, some American
have already established a
paying business in different parts of the
with American enterprise.