The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-06-21


cycles The only gossd show nights were
the rainy nights. There were Some big
attractions that made money, but not
what they expected, and that conntS, cf
course. as q loss. The companies that
played fn the cheapest towns farEd better
than those who appealed 10 the upper
and middle classes. Business Was not
bad IN the winter. IL was not Until the
sun began 10 shine on smooth, dry roads
that tns attendance fell of Returns
from score Of good show towns all tell
the story Of the ravagcs OF the bicycle
The prospects for summer opera and light
entertainments which 3 fsw years ago
were great money makers. are very
gloomy. ana many experienced managers
are declining TO enter into the once proflt-
able summer snap. IL remains TO be seen
what VIII be the effect on the New York
roof gardens The managers are evident
~ fearful. for they are catering 10 the cy-
cling fraternity already with announce
ments OF wheels checked and cycling
costumes permitted A fair estimate IL
that the theatrical season yielded about
~ per cent less than IL should have done.
Some OF the returned managers IN their
claims Of losses xSmlnd me. however. OF
the fellow who desperately announced
that he had lost s5Saooo the previous sum-
rner because he did not have cattle TO eat
up the grass which dried Up IN Montana
during the hot months"
At BrenfAno's decline OF at least Is per
cent. in the volume OF light reading. novels
and periodicals was admitted, which, for
the want OF any other tangible infoTma-
ton. must be attributed 10 the bicycle
People who spend their spare hours on
wheels do not buy the books which they
have no time TO read.
Hastings Il Miller, dealers in photo
graphic supplies, declare that. the general
impression to the contrary nov~ithstand-
ing. the bicycle Is doing very little TO en-
courage the amateur with his kodak In
strslmsnts are today more perfect and
cheaper than ever. but business would be
better by 50 per cent. We're there no BIZ
cycles.
IL is the railroads and steamboats, that
formerly did an enormous excursion bust
ness 10 points near the large cities that
directly feel the bicycle popularity. Every
Sunday 90. 0oo wheels spin over the roads
OF Long Island. New Jersey and West
chester. carrying as many people, who
formerly sought sylvan shades by rail or
boat There are bigger crowds at Coney
island than ever before. bat there Is no
difficulty In getting seat on the trains.
There win not be rival lire OF steamers
10 the beach this summer. as there was
last. One steamer seems able 70 handle
all OF the Rockaway crowds. IL Is a very
pleasant run TO that resort on q bicycle.
Dealers In liquor and lager beer claim
that the bicycle does them no good.
Neighhorhood saloons are deserted at
night. The ersewhile customers are on
their wheels. Suburban gardens where
there IS dancing are not taking IN the cost
OF the music. The fact Is. the cyclist does
not drink intoxicants. Any roadside or
seaside Innkeepsr viii say this. The
cyciist. when he does drink, calls for lager
or soft stuff. There are a million people
awhsel on any good Sunday. One out OF
n hundred win cali for whisky; that Is.
10000 whisky drinkers Allow each man
one drink, which viii run sixty 20 the
gallon. and the consumption OF hard stun
by wheelmen VIII amount TO but $50 gal
Ions per day. The remaining $4,000 VIII
average one glass OF lager. soda. lemonade
or ginger ale. OF half pint each. or 6a.oo9
gallons daily, the consumption OF nom
intoxscants being SIS times as great as
that Of hard stun.
The seashore and suburban hotels. which
have heretofore had their army OF sum-
mer boerders from tho city. look forward
90 the loss % a great part Of this profit
abls patronage. The eyclist win prefer 10
remain in New York. with all the COM
forts OF a home. pleased 70 be able TO
mount his wheel az a moments notice and
take his outing day by day whenever he
n<teth