The San Francisco call., 1897-03-16
THEY WERE NOT ENJO|hED
Gibbs and Groom Still Retain
the Lease to Mechanics
Pavilion.
Cycle Race Meet Will Be Held D..
spite Velodrome Management
ProteStationS.

Sporting men, club men and racing
men who went to the City Hall yesterday
morning to witness the battle at law sched-
uled to take place between the Velodrome
management and the San Francisco
Amusement Association met with disap-
pointment. 1t was reported that the Vel
odrome Company, through its attorney,
Thomas D. Riordan, would file three suits
against Gibbs and Groom of the San Fran.
cisco Amusement Association.
The first was to be for an in junction
against r. NJ. Welch of the League of
American Wheelmen to enjoin him from
issuing to the San Francisco Association
sanction to hold an indoor cycle meet.
The second was to enioin the Mechanics
Institute from leasing the Pavilion to the
company, and the third was to be directed
against Gibbs and Groom.
No suits were filed, however, or at least
G. bbs and Groom are unaware OF any ii
any have been filed and are confident that
the wrath that consumes the Velodrome
people will never be cooled by judicial
wisdom.
The Velodrome people allege that Gibbs
and Groom, who are stockholders in the
Velodrome, are guilty of fraud in securing
the lease of the pavilion and the sanction
to open the meet. They claim Gibbs and
Groom were acting as agents for the
Velodrome management and are much
incensed at the alleged treachery.
They say they will ask the court to ap-
point receiver to take charge of the
placed where they properly belong.
d. G. Snafer, who is managing the
coming meet for Gibbs and Groom,
who constitute the San Francisco Amuse-
ment Association, says that the admirers
of yelling can rest assured that, notwith-
standing reports to the contrary, the in
door meet will open on the Goth inst, and
under the management OF the Ban Fran
cisco Amusement Association.
1.-The Velodrome management is simply
throwing mud, spreading wet blankets
and endeavoring 10 throw the San Fran
cisco Amusement Company into disfavor
for purpose" said Mr.. Shafer last even
ing,
at one time to secure the Pavilion for an
indoor meet, but failure in a similar en-
terpriseisome time ago dam pened their ar
dor, and not being composed of nervy
sports the company was not anxious to
again take risk.
"GiDbs and Groom, accompanied by w.
B. Fawcett, who was managing the pre-
limnaries for the meet prior to my ar
rival in this City, leased the Pavilion in
good faith for the San Francisco Amuse-
ment Association.
"They were not acting as agents for any
party or firm, and Mr.. Fawcett, who is
now with tho Veiodrome people, Is aware
of that fact, and was at the time the
lease was made.
Regarding tho statement that the
Velodrome has made contract with one
Elwell, who is accredited with being the
only man on the coast who possesses the
knowledge requisite to build a track at the
Pavilion, l can say that although the
proposition of a contract may be correct,
the following statement is q fallacy.
1--WE have procured the services OF both
civil engineer and competent builder
to erect track for us, and l am confident
that when it is finished 1t will surpass the
track at the Velodrome.
THE statement that the cycling men
will ride II they are assured that the
purses offered will bo paid, no matter who
has the management OF the meet, was
also false. The Velodrome people have
been unable to secure q crack rider for
over two months.
"Such men as Ziegler, Mcfarland,
Loughead, Stevens, Morris, Bovee. Davis,
Wells and the Terrill brothers will refuse
to ride under Velodrome management.
They arc opposed to w. B. Fawcett and
his antasonizing ways"
Mayor Pheian last evening consented to
fire the shot starting the first race on the
10th inst. That shot will open the great
est racing meet ever held on this oonti-
nent. It will continue three weeks, and
during that period the cracks of the world
will meet and scorch for money and repu-
tation.