Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-08-07

1olil -tol-ot-,tp toS.sl5-'ul
sw mining 80. $4,000 2i.oa, COS
Total ............. f46.oi2, eco f47.313 900
In examining into the makeup of these
figures the article touches on the capital
invested in cycling and finds the following:
In the manufacture of cycles and
their parts, tires. tubes, chains
etc, Including stocks of materials
ard machines. Observation-Disclosures flo, 600. 900
SW,0g machines in use. ctc.,at e.. $500 ptD
Agencies, dep1ts, repairers. etc.. 300. $50
manufacturers of bells, lamps and
saddles .-....-.----............... 100000
Rae grounds. buildings, schools,
clubs. private sheds. ETC.,. 2.0oan
Clothing, shoes, accessories, etc. 100000
1otal. flo. .bs,.uU0
At the last national show some one at
tempted to reckon the capital represented,
ana ran UP the figures to an abnormal
amount. but it is. of course, unfair to take
the whole capital of firm in which a GER
tain cycle industry is only subsection.
Allowing for this, our figures are by no
means inflated, but they bring cycling out
on top. showing a greater invested cap
ital than any other sport in the kingdom,
even than that in the horse and dog flesh
and covered by hunting"
Considering the matter of annual expendi-
ture the article in question finds the fol-
lowing tabulated statement
100000 cycles at fl3 los. f615oOoO
100000 riders, special clothing,
o ete, al T.; --....--..------.-...-. 1,H0,000
100000 repairs, accessories and
sundries. at Observation-Disclosures. 14Oo,0
Travelling. touring, inns hotels.
railways. ETC.. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. 100000
Gate money and other expenses
paid by the public going to wit
ness cycle racing. shows, etc. LOCO 600
Racing fees, up-keep of grounds,
rents, wages, expenses of at
fencing race meets, carriage
offcials etc. ..................... 100000
Hire of cycles for all persons l5oOOO
sports prizes, advertising, print
ing, ETC.. Observation-Disclosures. 10000
Iotai.. IL. 5000 900
Thus the gigantic sum of over fl 600 600
month is put into crcula ton owing to
the sport OF cycling
According to one of the judges of the re-
cent Dicycle parade in Chicago, no rider
Ior ordinary street riding should bend over
the handle bars. On that account no prize
was given to any rider in the parade who
roue In the doubied-up position. The deci-
SION created considerable comment and i'm
defense of his position the Judge in aues-
tion wrote letter, in which he clearly de-
fined his views Among other tbjn.rs ha
says:
The idea of a marshal of a bicycle parade
making his appearance on a bicycle only
suitable Tor quarter-mile sprint. with his
handle bars SO low that IT seems a torture
10 reach them, and makes ii impossible for
the rider to observe anything ahead of him
excepting by looking out of the top of his
eyes. is absurd. Fancy a marshal in a
military parade mounted on a horse and
riding In an attitude similar to that of a
jockey.
A rider who not ride as fast as the
law IN Chicago allows and sit up like a
MAN ought 10 be trundled about In an in
valid's chair. One can readily understand
how uncomfortable il must be for n rider
to hold on to the handles of an exceeding
ly low bar when it Is noticed so frequently
that the handle bar Is grasped at the head
OF the machine In order to give the back
little rest. As regards there being any ad-
vantage In this form of riding there is
none whatever and this is fully demon
strated by the fact that one of the most
celebrated racing men in this country rides
with only slight forward position when
riding ait a two-minute gait
1t Is undoubtedly true that bicycle sales
men are at fault in many instances for the
position taken by a new rider as I'm many
cases they favor the drop bar, which should
not be tolerated by the manufacturer or
proprfetors, and the rider is sent out on to
the street with bar SO low that it is tor
ture for him to ride II until his spinal col
umn becomes curved to the proper extent
and after this Is accomplished the rider
imagtnes that he is one of the real
things"
The low-dropped handle bar In common
use by large number of wheelmen of bad
taste has been greater detrimcnt to the
bicycle industry than any other one fea-
ture. as 1t has made bicycling Objectionable
to the better class. and those who are par
ents OF growing children would have pur-