The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-17
STATE CYCLE MATTERS
MIR. FOLTZ WILL COMPEL THE RAG
ERS TO PAY ENTRANCE FEES.
Men Who Raced at Delphi Declared
Observation-Disclosures Country
Rides Taken Yesterday.

A source of great annoyance to promoters
of bicycle races ever since the l.. A. w.
took charge of racing matters has been the
failure of some riders to pay their entrance
fees. This was a source of unusual annoy
ance to the promoters of a race meet held in
this city several years ago, and the trou-
BILE which grew out Of it had a great deal
to do with injuring the city as a race town
and discouraging racing. At that time
Walter Sanger headed the crowd that re-
fused fatty to pay any entrance fee and at
the, same time insisted upon being allowed
to start in the events for which they were
entered. That trouble was only partially
adjusted. The rule was enforced subse-
quently by which no rider could enter a
race until his fee had been paid,
But this proved Objectionable. Riders who
found at the last moment that they were
not uniform or for any other reason did not
wish to start would fail 20 pay their fees,
and there was no way the race promoter
could collect them. The racing board, how
ever, sought to protect the promoters by
refusing to allow such riders to race again
until the fees had been paid. Under this
ruling riders would often refuse to pay
until they got ready to enter another race.
Then they would pay up and be in as good
standing as anybody.
The racing board has grown tired of such
q way of doing business. however. and
Chairman Mott has adopted a new rule,
which Mr.. FoItz, member of the board for
this district. has approved. In his letter to
Mr.. Foltz and other members of the board
Mr.. Mott declares that the plan of suspend
ing riders for not paying fees has proved
a rank failure" He then offers the fol-
following plan, which will very soon become
an established rule: Notify men who habit
ually default in this way that after their
fees are paid their times of suspension Will
be determined. Then give them a good,
round punishment. have it published in the
Bulletin for delay in paying entry fees. F"
Mr.. Mott thinks this will bring the men to
time and has asked the opinion of other
memhers of the racing board.
The Memphis Cut in Prizes.
Herbert W. Foltz, of this city, member
of the l.. A. w. racing board for the dis
trict which contains the Southern circuit,
is just about to undertake the ~unTaveling
of the dispute which exists between the cir
cult chasers and the promoters. Jack
Prince, the man at the head of the South
ern circuit, discovered that the prizes Of
fered for races were so great that meets
almost everywhere were losing ventures.
The first time round the circuit these prizes
amounted TO $4e0 for a two-night meet.
When Memphis was reached about a week
ago it was decided TO cut the prizes down
TO $500, but the racing men objected and in
the controversy which ensued it was de-
cided by the promoters To close the coli
scum for the two nights, after spending $50
in advertising. Now the question is who
Is to blame? Is it the promoters or the
racing men?
The promoters claim that there was an
organized strike among the racing men
headed by Jay Eaton. They claim that
all met at the Coliseum and that Eaton in
duced the men to follow him. Ii is further
claimed that some of the men had accepted
the new terms and had signed entry blanks.
Tho racing mon claim that the Np!u nntr,-
blanks signed were signed before the prom
osftion to cut the purses was made known
10 them. Eaton says that the men were
willing to race Cor $500, but they wanted as
surance that the statement OF the promo
ters that they were losing money, was true.
Faton wanted to have a representative in
the box Office and the promoters refused
him this right.
Denver Wonder.