The times., 1897-08-15

Matters have been less lively than usual
In local wheeling circles the past week,
for the reason that large numbers of W heel
men are out of the city.
The national meet at Philadelphia last
week attracted hundreds OF the local riders,
and at the conclusion or the meet they
took advantage of the opportunity TO ex-
tend their vacation by scattering TO the
various resorts by the seashore, as well
as by tours through the Northern States.
Comparatively few of them have returned
as yet, and this accounts for the lack Of
club news during the week.
Naturally the principal topics or interest
are those connected with the national
meet. Without exception, those who have
returned from Philadelphia are generous
In their praise of the courtesy shown them
by the Quaker City wheelmen. They were
entertained In the most lavish manner
while there, and all brought back with
them recoliections OF one of the most
pleasant trips they had ever experienced.
Each day was filled with features or
amusement, arranged by the managers of
the big meet and there was absolutely no
time for anything but pleasure.
The feature of the meet from Washing.
ton point of view was the wonderful per.
formance OF Fred Schade in lowering the
worlds record for one third OF mile.
placing the figures at 0:32 4-5, cutting
the record down by l 2-5 seconds
These figures will probably stand for
some time to come and Washington wheel
men may well be proud of the work of
the speedy little Columbia Athletic Club
rider.
Wilson and Moran also did exceedingly
Well, and, as was expected, assisted I'm
maintaining the prestige Of the Washing.
ton racing contingent
1t is probable that had the handica ns
been more justly placed there would have
been considerable difference in the re-
suits.
official Handicapped Powell is acknowl-
edged to he one Of the best In tile country.
but his work at the big meet was marred
by some extremely poor work While IL is
TO be expected that some little Injustice
would result because of the ;npossibiIitv
or Judging the relative merits of so nany
rleers' the handicaps in many insta nces
threw riders out OF the race.
This was Illustrated 10y placing Schad do
at scratch in the two-Inile handicap ON
Thursday and giving Ed Wilson and "Zirn
N.Y. Moran ninety and ninety.five wards.
respectively Everybody an this CITY real
lzes the absnrdity OF such a handicap, for
the three riders do not differ In speed by
balf that handicap. ,f
Undoubtedly the communication sent
by Major Moore To Commissioner Wight. on
Wednesday, concerning various amend
ments to the bicycle regulations is DOS
Of ta
wheelmen.
Major Moore has shown himself a friend
TO the District wheelnen, by advocating
nearly every IMPORTANT amendment asked
Tor BY the delegation OF the local L. 4.
W. ana there ls much cause for gratifica-
tion thereat
In soine minor matters Major Moore
found IL necessary to Withhold his APP
proval OF certain changes asked for, that of
requiring ali vehicles 10 display lights
after dark, and to prevent the sprink
hing OF certain portions OF the streets at
night. While many wheelmen feel that
those measures are to be desired, they
are OF inferior Importance compared with
others ASKED for, and there should be
srnall obiectic1 to the letter as whole.
The extension OF the speed lint On all
streets not occupied by car tracks is Ger
tainly the most important of the amend
inents approved by Maj Moore
Wheelraen have long suffered from the
unusual regulation which limited the speed
on all streets 10 six miles when crossing
intersecting streets and to twelve miles
between crossings, It was an unwise law,
because there was hardly a rider In the
city who did not transcress 1t daily. The
substitution Of twelve for six miles in the
regulation wascnly common sense change
Maj. Moore's criticism of the practice OF
wfeelnen of taking their hands off the bars
while riding Is considered somewhat un.
necessary by practical riders
1t is wellknown fact that a rider
will not venture to do it unless he is an
expert. Consideration for his own safety
would prevent him. When rider has
reached that degree Of skill in riding there
| is almost no danger of his running down
pedestrians. 1t is the novice who is
| responsible for nearly all the collisions,
and not those W no are able to pilot wheel
| through a crowd with hands off the bars
A New Record