New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-05

nuhl,c was followed and exceeded by the madness
OF the manufacturers. Hundreds-yes. thousands
rushed into the business expecting to achieve
fortune onGthe instant 1t like the opening
OF a new gold field. The advance was characterized
by the most remarkable ingenuity. skill and daring
and a reckless expenditure OF money. Factories
sprang up everywhere. and stores were opened
Every drug and cigar store, hardware dealer. TOY
store. and In some places even the horistS ana
laundries became agents.
wheels rushed out OF the factories AT nght-
ming speed and in the rush many good firms put
out wheels that they would now be ashamed OF.
All help. as az gold camp, was at n premium;
clerks statesmen. managers and workmen all
struck often once or twice a week. for higher pay,
and often left their places If they did not get II.
Few Of the manufacturers. dealers or tho pub
lie at large seemed TO realize that there is a vast
difference between stocking up the country and
keeping It stocked II the same as II hats
had been suddenly discovered and every one had
to have one Then having bought hat. every
body did not need or at least could not AFFORD 10
pay for a new one The season of '96 showed this
clearly. and although IT IS difficult to estimate nc
curatcly the number OF wheels made on account
Of the gross cxaggeration by tho manufacturers OF
their product during the initiation period. vet II Is
doubtful whether there were enough riders IN the
country last season 10 use the machines nat were
turned out. This condition could not but caus"
collapse Many machines, even good ones. were
sold at low prices. which was confusing 10 me
public and This confusion not lcss"ned 10y
The dabocal rumor II cannot characterize II by
a more delicate term that started carly IN
the SON the effect that the best wheels coud
he made and marketed for less than go
Both the manufacturers and public have sur
fered from this unhappy fallacy. The m9nut1ct-
urers and dealers became. in most minds. sWlndlers
and robbers The public was unite unwilling 10
paw them so profit. and naturally turned 70 me
bargain sales whore wheels were advertised 'and
onite iuslv) 10 he sold at their honest value
"Graduallv the madness In all branches s pass
ing The thirty-dolar-cost Authorization IS not
Quite SO marked though II still seems 10 be the
prevailing opinion that there IS combine among
nromtnent manufacturers TO UNFOLD tho price ara
swindIo the public. Cycling Is devclopine on broad
or lines II is no longer controlled by the scorch-
ers. the older slower going and moro :iahc Gle
ment I'm our population s turning 70 the blcncie
and tricycle. for exercise and recreation. me
streets of our cities being better paved. ana
v,i,h this change carriers one OF he latest de-
,,nIonmonte Of the cyce-builder's art. are coming
INTO more and more general use by business houses
Tbs nrbllc Is learning 10 discriminate between the
roIiabl males and the unreliable We no longer
ride n wheel simply because John Smltn rlies ~
The guarantee is better u1derst1Nd, ana IN eVetY
way the riding public is becoming better noSted.
Tho manufacturers are for The most part now
has,ng their product the legitimate demand Tor
wheels bv the rising generation. AMI 70 replace nr
Ice from accident and abuse, but there IS sun
much wedding ont 10 be done II Is the old Ftoryy
~ The arrival Of the fttes md 1t Is only naitral
~, -, ,re Of nc feels that ho is the most 81.
,ya are at the beginning. rather than me enc, or
.ho cvcIIrg era but must move moro slowly