Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-12-10
Wheel Chat.

Necessity may be the mother of some
bicycle inventions, but the number of
freak wheels now appearing indicates
that many of them are orphans.
Whatever may be the type of wheel
that finally prevails certain benefits in
the way of improvements are bound to
accrue from the vast amount of ex-
permenting that has been induced by
the chainless wheel departure and the
rivalry of manufacturers. Many novel
devices are appearing weekly. Bearings.
chains, sprockets. and all parts, are
being made the subject of unusual
study in the effort to bring out some
thing that will surpass competitors.
A Connecticut concern has produced
for 1898 a new sprocket, having eight
teeth so arranged that only four are
engaged with the chain at any one
time. This is the second peculiar
sprocket device to appear for which
marvellous qualities are claimed Most
of the chain wheel advocates are flying
to the gear-case for rescue. A proml-
nent New York firm which has been
experimenting with an enclosed chain
for several months, announces that it
will put out this style OF model as it's
standard. and claim for it less friction
than any other form of chain wheel or
any chainless. A Massachusetts Co. is
added to the chain wheel and gear-case
adherents this week and announces a
list price of $100.
All talk about the national meet
being awarded to Boston or any other
eastern city is wasted energy. The
meet will be awarded by the executive
committee of the l.. A. w. and the
reason Indianapolis is proceeding with
it's arrangements for the meet may be
| inferred to be that it is aware that the
sentiment of theexecutive committee is
at present in favor of Indianapolis.
Ecston has made no formal application
and all the talk may be construed as
simply a preliminary bid by Boston for
| the meet of 1899.
At the approaching national assembly
an amendment to admit professionals
to l.. a. w. membership will certainly
lie introduced and it is almost an
assured thing that it will be passed.
President Potter is negotiating with
| he government to obtain, for league
uses, official maps covering practically
the entire country. The idea is to
| have them made up in durable style.
pocket size, and issue them free to
members. These maps are equal to the
famous ones prepared by the French
government and they alone will be
worth the price of membership in the
league.
An unusual feature of WomenS clubs is
that belonging to the Thursday After
noon Cooking Club of Topeka. KS. \ Wis
iting committee of two exists at all times
whose duty it is to visit the sick and re-
port to the club on their condition. as
we'll as to send them Il remembrance OF
cut flowers or ported plants to cheer their
sick room. Although organized as a
cooking class. the clubs original inten-
ton has broadened. and every branch of
domestic science comes within its prov
irce If the club would compile ii cook
book it is probable it would be a valuable
addition to such lore. as a brief time is
apportioned at every meeting just at roll
call. for the exchange of valuable re-
ceipts. The luncheons. served twice q
month by the club to its members, are
lessons in expert and economical cook
| ing, costing. as they must, no more than
s2.50 the sum of the ten cent dues paid at
each meeting by each of the twenty-five
| members.