The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-05-23

pension for several weeks. pending an in
vestigation into his amateur status. About
month ago he received interrogatories
from Chairman Mott, which he was re-
quired to answer and at the same time he
was notified of his suspension. When
Connery offered his entry for the Memorial
day road race he was informed of his sus-
pension and his entry was refused on this
ground. 1t seems that a Savannah rider
wrote to Chairman Mott reporting Con-
nery's relation to a Savannah cycle agen-
cy, and claiming that the rider should be
classed as a professional. This is what
brought on the investigation by the racing
board chairman.
Connery answered the inquiries of the
racing board at the time he received them,
and he has just been notified of his being
placed in the professional ranks.
The making of a professional out of Con-
of Savannah racing men, and il will not be
surprising If big bunch of local riders are
placed in the professional class.
The racing board does not pay a great
deal Of attention to racing men in the
south, and only when Information is given
in regard to a rider Is his status looked
into. Being so far away from headquar-
ters, and racing in this section, at least
up to a short time ago, being in somewhat
of an embryo state, riders are often guilty
of actions which escape the eagle eye of
the chairman. Kinsey has heretofore
been the only declared professional, with
possibly the exception of Leopold.
1t is understood that the friends of Con-
merry are very much put out at the action
80 D, I'D
made a professional, and they intend to
make an effort to have every rider who
has violated the amateur rules placed in
the professional rank. This, they claim
they are forced to do, and 1t is not Of
their own volition. They did not want to
see professionalism rooted in Savannah
and tried TO keep It off for a long time
but, 20 protect himself. Connery is now
forced TO make the other men come in his
class.
There are undoubtedly many riders in
Savannah who are liable 70 be classed as
professionals, under the racing rules of the
league. The rules are very plain and very
strict, and they have been violated by
many riders. Many Of the violaters were
doubtless ignorant of the rules, but the
chairman contends that ignorance Of the
rules il not a valid excuse for violation
Whether Connery or his friends will re-
port the standing Of those men who have
violated the rules In any way cannot be
stated but II they do there will be a big
crop Of fresh professionals In Savannah
before long. AT any rate, the outcome Of
the case will be watched for with a great
deal Of interest by Wheclmen In general.
and the riders concerned In particular.
There "a talk Of all the cycle clubs In
the city combining and forming an organ
ization 20 be known as the Associated Cy-
cling Clubs. or the Savannah Wheelmen
and a meeting for this purpose may be held
at an early date.
Prof. W. II. Lyon. one Of the leading
spirits In cycling IN Savannah. has been
spoken 20 on the subject from several
quarters, and he has been requested 20
/ take the matter IN hand It is thought
that nearly. VI not all, Of the cycle clubs
would 20 into such an organization. and
| the combined power Of the wheelmen
/ would 90 much TO help cycling. and IL
4 might serve 10 dispose Of some OF the bad
/ feeling that exists between certain classes
I OF riders
This feeling seems 70 be gradually grow
( ing. ana 10 ~ thing that should not
/ exist. IL started IN rivalry, which In lts
way. a. "a very proper and good thing, but
Il has gradually become 10 be something
more than that. and II q Is not checked
/ now 10 might grow even worse.
Such "a condition OF Affairs Is deplorable
/ and the wheclmen should not allow them