The sun., 1897-07-31
NEWS OF THE WHEELMEN.
METHODS OF RIDERS TO SECURE BIG
STARTS At RACE MEETS

Promoter HarEap Calls Professional Races or
Contrary 10 the RuIes-Eectric Facing In
Favor In Franee-Poor PacemakinE o Han
dicap TO Ex-Cha mpIon Observation-Disclosures.
Tho l. A. w. handicappers are forced this
year to keep o close watch on racing men in
order to allot equitable starts in handicap
events. One OF the local officials in a talk with
THE Sun reporter yesterday stated that the
methods practised by some riders to secure big
starts are ingenious. and at times calculates to
work to their advantage. Some men at the last
moment will send in entry blanks without any
mention OF previous performances, trusting
that the lack OF time to look up the
records will secure to them the strangers'
handicap or limit mark. Others will
openly declare that they havo no records. Tho
system. however. now in vogue enables tho
handicappers to keep posted on tho races In
which every rider In their respective territory
competes. Walter Roome of the New Jersey
A. c., who takes part in nearly all the metro
politan events, has been the first entry received
at all the big meets hereabouts this year. 40.
oompanylng Roome's entry is an entrance fee, a
matter generally disregarded by amateurs and
professionals.
Ignorance Of the L. A. W. racing rules has
placed meet promoter In a sorry predicament.
A. J. Hargan Of the Century Cycling Club Of
New Jersey arranged a meet for Asbury Park
to-day. There were TO have becn amateur and
professional events but the entries for the latter
came In so slowly that Hargan decided to call
the cash prize races of. This action was taken
without receiving tho consent Of the L. A. w.
and apprizlnR the few men entered of the
change. Chairman Mott of the Racing Board
declares that to call the races of on so short a
notice 10 unwarranted, and asserts that any
professional rider who attends tho meet and
demands that the races be held originally
scheduled will be justified in holding the man.
agement responsible
Electric pacing Is held In high favor in Franco.
Recently on the Seine track at Paris an electric
triplet, manned by Demester, Deneau, and
Ninov. received a trial and travelled at wonder
full speed. Five miles were covered In minutes
a. 2-5 seconds. II Ii believed that the wheel
will in tfmo bring about the abolition OF pacing
teams. The tubing on the machine differs from
the regular triplet, inasmuch as 1t is necessary
to carry twenty.eight boxes OF accumulators.
Each box contains thirteen plates rs millimetres
wide and 1lo high. weighing In all about eighty
four kilogrammes. The accumulators put in
motion small electric motor OF three.horse
power. which adds to the efforts made by tho
riders. The motor weighs nearly htty-ive kilos,
and by chain system works OH tho rear wheel,
taking tho place OF n fourth rider. The whole
machine weighs about 90 kios. and is made to
run at speed Of sivty-six kilometres an hour.
A mo life alton OF its construction is contcm-
plated to increase Its rate OF speed.
The reports of the condition Of tho roads hero
abouts received at the L. A. WIS headquarters
last night, are as tol'ows:
New York--The nacnd am roads IN the vicinity of
Th-y are good at n.s' ridge, Warning Is Given to
this city have had tr1ir foundations washrd away.
A Brewster DoDbs Ferry. Fishklll Landing. Haver.
New Roohello Port Jarvis, Sing siog. TNrryt ,wn,
Tuckahoe. AID wa.hngtonyille tao macadani roads
are good md the dirt ro dis fair
Long Island and New Jersey-The roads are gen.
orally fair
The Associated Cycling Clubs OF New Jersey
Will hold century run TO PhiladelphiA to-day,
hundred riders IRE expcctod to p,riicipatc. The
pacemakcTs Will include A. Allen, Century
WWnsSs'WRGPH WnsS " llso, Time WhsIIcp; Tom
Plainhcd. Prizes will DO offered 10 Tho clubs
bringing through the greatest number OF sur
Yivors.
PHILADELPHIA, July 3O.-The night race meet.
which was twice postponed owing to Tho
welther; ended last night at tho Willow Grove
track. Tho feature Of the pro ;ramme was A.
quad and trple.. The ex.ehampion sot of
well. covering tho third Of mile in 81 seconds
got ahead OF him and the exertion OF catchin@
up told on him dur ing the last quarter. The
mile was done In minute and 81 Sc ronda. The
mistake OF his ppcem Ikcrs no doubt m ,ie sew.
eral secon Is difference in his time. Stnrbnck
70 10 pretty race in tho ive.mile event. HS
caught up TO tho limit men at the end OF tho
third mile and from there TO the last lap he con.
tented himself with pacing the balance at a
lively clip, As the gong sounded he burst away
closely followed by G, :. Wells the C1ii orniai,,
who Kept at his heels until tho finish, being a
80 3 o seconds.
PATcHoGUE, July 30.-Clarence Rutland. ono
OF the crack riders OF the PatchOyuc Wheeimen
and member % its racing team, narrowly es.
oAped being Killed whio speeding on lhu race
track TINS AFTERNOON. Rulanl WAS riding a g6
gseared wheel, and was trying an unpa tei mile.
He had made one circuit OF tho hir,i.ofu.mile
track. and when leaving tho marx In front OF
the grand stand ran into q fence rail which pro.
lecteh over the track next the pole. He did not
see the obstruction as he came around the turn
and struck II with full force. and was hurled
over toe handle bars through the air, landing
on his head several feet away. He slid on his
face and loft std0 for some distance. A numbsr