The evening times., 1897-08-04

Philadelphia, Aug. 4.-The eighteenth
national meet OF the League of American
Wheelmen commences in this city today,
and in point of numbers, If nothing else, 1t
| Will undoubtedly eclipse any former gather
| ing OF the kind in America, and probably
in the world. The reception committee h 5
by number of these badge-bedecked, en-
| ergetic and hospitable individuals, and the
stranger almost has his hand wrung off
in their efforts to assure him how welcome
he is to the 1897 meet.
The city itself is en- fete. Buildings are
decorated everywhere, colored electrical
| effects are displayed on all sides. there
is music in the air wherever one goes, and
every man, woman and child talks Of wheels
and wheeling.
The headquarters OF the league is the
Arena building, a Broad and Cherry streets.
Hundreds of cyclists besiege the place day
andnight. Yesterday tine place was opened
at 3 O'Clock p. m, and at 10 O'Clock
in the evening 3 3,404 members had regis
tered, and they come from every where
from the Pacific to the Atlantic. Los An
geles, Cal, is the most distant point re-
ported so far, and by a lady member at that.
This years meet is directly under the
auspices OF the Associate Cycling Clubs of
Philadelphia.
indianapolis is king q strong bid for
tie meet in 1893. A large delegation ar
rived Monday night and opened headquar-
ters at the Walton Hotel Yesterday they
were suppl emented by another contin-
gent, with Mayor Taggart at its head.
They have come armed with beautiful
steel engravings of their city and vast
quantity Of reading matter They are ehust-
lers and are making their resence felt.
Today's program includes a run TO An
dora Nurseries, at 8 a m; a run to Lancas-
ter pike at %. m, and excursions on the
Delaware River, from to Z O'Clock this
evening, returning to Washington Park,
where a special entertainment VIII be
given. There win be no racing until Fri
day.
All the professional crack-ajacks are
here with the exception of Gardiner, who
Is prevented by bis injuries from riding
Among those who will contest are such we'll
known men as, Bald. Cooper, Kiser, But
Ter, Sanger, Johnston, Wells, Parsons,
Merttns, Eaton, Stevens and Kitnball
All these men will meet in the oue-m mile
professional on Friday Riders are here
from the extreme South and West, and
while many OF item are almost unknown
in Eastern racing circles, dark horses
are expected To develop in several events.
Philadelphia herself contributed this array
OF amateurs: Douglass, Swartz, Cressy,
Fogan. Trott. Gardiner. Cliff and williams,
and local crs,iizs are -confislent OF finding
their favorites well TO the front when
the time comes
The list Of entries is an enormous one.
and the racing committee has had anything
but sinecure I'm handling it. No such
list has ever before been secured at a race
meet In America, and recor ds will doubtless
be broken II the new track at Willow Grove
Is as fast as It'll claimed 10 be.
Two thousand century riders are expected
from New York. They leave in four divisions.
the first today and one EACH succeeding day
this week. They will find TO val welcome
awaits them
All that is required now to make the meet
OF l S97 a grand success is fair weather