The times., 1897-04-25


The fine weather of the past week ha
| had the effect of bringing out nearly ever
bicyclist in Washington. Perhaps ther,
have never been so many wheels seen cI
the streets of the city since cycling fIs
came into popularity here.
1t has been estimated by men prominent
in cycling circles that there are toda,
fully $4,000 wheelnlen in this city Per
haps this may he IL somew hat too generous
estimate, but there is no doubt that tht
ranks are being rapidly sweled- by new
| riders daily. The number OF ladies uwheel
| is really remarkable, and 1t seems that the
pastime is growing to greater popularity
with them than among the male sex.
| This is to he expected, of course, as they
have more time to devote to the amusement.
| Itis pleasing to note that these fai riders
! have come to regard the question Of the
| proper dress from a comnon-sense point of
| view, A rider, with long flowing skirts,
is now the exception, and the amount of
| unfavorabe criticism which wearer of
| one receives, even from her own sex in
| dicates that it is destined to banishment.
| Aside from the danger of the skirt catching
| in the wheel, and causing serious accident,
| it is decidedly distasteful to those who
possess the artistic instinct even In a
slight degree.
The moderately short skirt, with either
the golf stocking or high-laced shoe, is both
sensible In the wearer and pleasing TO the
eye, and the fair wheelwomen have almost
universally come to realize the fact.
The peningracemeetof of theseason, which
occurs on Decoration Day, is now the
source Of great interest among those in any
way interested in racing. A number of
events of unusual interest are being ar
ranged and the announcement of the en-
tries is being awaited with much expect
ancy.
Every rider of note In the city will be
seen in some event, and the showing they
make will be regarded as an indication
OF what may be expected OF them later
1t is said that the five-mile race between
George Ball and Fred Sims is an assured
fact, The trouble and expense of one
OF these races meets is very large and it
is fortunate for those who are interested
in the sport that such substantial BODY
as the cycle board OF trade Will have the
majority OF them In charge.
A petition has been circulated among the
wheelmen of certain clubs which pledges
all signers TO withhold their support from
race meets under tie auspices of the cy. lie
board. 1t is said that the reason for this
lies in the fact that many believe the board
has played foxy game in appropriating
all dates suitable for race meets at Inter
national Park, thus shutting off one or two
clubs which contemplated meets. How
ever, 1T seems that there is little founda-
tion in this belief, for the owners or the
park say that two of the clubs which are
supporting the petition had an option on
the best dates at the park before the cycle
board decided to take hand at racing
but they held off because of the high
rental.
Consequently, when the same terms We're
offered the cycle board they were &C
cepted and the dates closed tits believed
that the petition will not be very general,
as 1T is regarded by the majority OF the
Cyclists as a tempest in a teapot.
The clubs were fortunate, to have such
fine weather on last Sunday, and the
many runs taken were, without excep- |
ton. much enjoyed. The roads were in |
excellent condition and unusually good |
time was made on some of the runs
L. A. w. Notes.
Heretofore 1t has been the custom of the |
official referee to not make q charge for |
his services in refereeing races held at
and it was not until the
recent six-day races when 1t was thought |
Of. In asking the opinion of the national
racing board it was found that almost all
the official referees last year had made
q charge for their services.
Hereafter all race-meet promoters may
count upon adding this to their list of
expenses
On Thursday night the eastern sub
division of the League of American Wheel |
N en- was formed at the residence OF a
the local consul for the East
This subdivision is formed of all members
esiding in the northeastern and south
eastern portions of the city (fifty-two
u nenlbersl, of which ten members attended
hc meeting.
1t Is the intention of this subdivision to
ook after the grievances of the wheel
men In the northeast, and will start in
With crusade against the throwing OF
glass and such substances in the streets,
md to ask that the regulations covering
hem be enforced. 1t is the duty of all
yheelmen on Capitol Hill to join this sub
livision, and make If OF sufficient power
o be felt, as there is no doubt that the
eague is now doing just what has been
wanted by the wheeImen of the city.
Their action In making drivers pay for
he damage done to wheels on account OF
eckless driving is very noticeable. The
rivers are beginning to respect the rights
t wheelmcn on the streets, and they
will soon be as careful OF wheelmen as
cot passengers.
The officers are as follows: A. Girou-
rd, local consul; Miss Estelle Mosman,
onsul for ladies'; w. w Valentine, secre-
ary; b. j. Crabbe, eastern road consul;
Williams, assistant eastern road consul
The Following committees were appointed:
Constitution committee, E. j. Crabbe,
hartman; 9. c. Kelsey, R. P. Rhode. Re
ruiting committee, DR.. W. g. Barnes,
hartman; Joseph r. Rabbit, F. B. Brock.
lights and privileges committee, George
Pierce, j. NJ stockett,, Richard Corn
yell and Chester E. MCGOWAN.
Meetings will be held the first Thursday
| each month, commencing first Thurs
ay in June, at 115 Tenth street northeast .
lns will be held each Wedn esday even {
g, starting from northeast corner of
taunton square, at p. m, and join the
sCular leaPue rims at z 40 n m