The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-06-16

pean COnSulS, recently TeCelNeu az thS
state department, are of especial inter-
est to both bicycle riders and manu-
facturers in the country, as showing
several phases of the prevailing cycle
craze in sections of the old world
George Sawter, United States consul at
Glauchau Germany, in his annual re-
port makes the following comments
upon bicycling in Germany, which will
prove valuable to American cyclists
who may contemplate a cycling tour of
Europe
Complaints are very frequently
made by travelling American bicycle
riders in Germany of obstacles and de-
lays to their travel caused by the very
vigorously enforced laws governing the
use of bicyclists on the public roads
in this country. For the benefit of these
American BICYCLE tourists few of the
more strictly enforced rules which eye
lers are called upon to observe
throughout the German empire are
cited.
Cycling on public streets and roads
is subject in this country, and partic-
ularly in Saxony, to minute and most
carefully enforced police regulations
which, indeed, in many places prohibit
entirely the use of brakeless machines.
The roads are. as a rule. with but few
exceptions, perfect, and wheeling is
smooth and easy. but on account of the
rainy weather which prevails most of
the year, wheel guards for wet days are
indispensable.
LAMPS. BELLS AND BRAKES.
every machine must have an open
plate or shield, affixed to the rod of the
brake or handle bar, and be provided
with a spring lid, on which is engraved,
in clear lettering, the name, profession
or rank, and residence of the rider of
the bicycle. In lieu of this, the card Of
the rider, with address, &C., might be
attached to the handle bar, which
would be in compliance with the law,
and would temporarily answer every
requirement in this way. The alarm
bell is, of course, demanded every
where. The law requires that the night
| lamp be rather highly placed on the
wheel, and be kept lighted by the rider
when travelling from within half an
| hour after sunset to half an hour be-
fore sunrise; furthermore, the light
| must shine through uncolored glass
| before the rider.
Each bicycle must be provided with
| an easilymanaged brake, operating
| quickly and powerfully. Cycling on
| roads exclusively intended for pedes-
trains or on elevated footpaths of high
ways is strictly prohibited. Two bicy-
clers may ride side by side, when it can
be done without blocking the thorough
fare or annoyance to other riders of We
hicles; otherwise, single file Is the rule.
| More than two machines are not al
| lowed to occupy the road side by side
| with other bicycles. When ap-
preaching passages of the road where
1t is not possible to see clear distance,
| or when going down a steep descent,
the cycler is obliged to give frequent
and measured distance signals with
his bell, as a matter Of strict precaution
| in avoiding collision and to excite the
attention of readers in the vicinity
A moderate speed OF riding must be
maintained at all times. Cycling al
an extraordinary speed, or 'scorching,
is forbidden on the highways every
where in Germany.
"At very steep down grades of the
roads the cycler must dismount and
guide his wheel until the descent is
passed, before remounting. Cyclers
are also required to dismount at any
time If called upon by police officials
to do so and are obliged to give such
official any information he may deem
necessary to demand. For disregard Of
any of the above rules and regulations
a fine not to exceed go marks ($14.2S
may be imposed, or imprisonment II
Jail for not more than two weeks, ol
both may be inflicted for each offense.
THOSE ENGLISH WHEELS.
The bicycle industry in England II
also treated by George F. Parker
United States consul at Birmingham
England, who, after quoting statistic
regarding the total disappearance o
the demand which formerly existed il
this country for wheels of British
make, proves that affairs have com
pletely veered around and that the bes
wheels sold in England are now thos
of American make. The report theI
goes on:
"The trade with the United States II
cycle materials continues to decline
No complete bicycles have been sen
to the United States from this distric
since my last report. On the other ham
good many machines Of American
manufacture have been sold even Il
this district. 1t is not safe to predic
how long this demand will continue
but as trade conditions in general hav
improved during the past year it
likely that a considerable number o
machines of good quality may be sol
If offered at prices slightly lower tina
those ruling here for the same slnd
: Nominally, retail prices have not ad
yanced; in reality, they have, OWN
to the reduction Of trade discounts.
III the demand for cyclists continue
over the world the factories will prob
ably turn out 1000, 900 machines durin
the next year. The old-established fac
tories have been engaged to the fu
limit of their capacity, greatly en-
larged though 1t has been from time I
time. 1t is estimated that from t?ye I
, eight thousand operatives have bee
dl avn into this branch Of manufactur
I from other trades dun ing the past yea
. Some branches of business long stag
nant have thus been turned into pdyin
. Pre- perties for the time and much idl
, labor has found employment at goo
Wages"
Killed Wills DUNK.
Tyrone, June 1E.-Lut4 Levitt fe
from a freight tain neaI Upton earl
| this morning ann 80. A., ItantIU lrillaf