The times., 1897-08-08

The annual meet OF the League OF Ameri-
can wheelmen at Philadelphia is at pres
ent the topic of controlling interest in the
cycling world.
Wbeelmen from every section OF the
United states are gathered there. Every
shade OF opinion in cycling politics is rep
resented for matters of material interest
TO all riders are to be acted upon
The racing contingent. attracted by the
importance of the occasion, are there in
force Bald, Kiser, Cooper, Gardiner and
a score OF famous riders Will struggle for
supremacy in the professional classes.
The racing promises TO be Of the best ever
seen al any league meet
The cream of the countTy's amateur
talent is there as well. 1t is in this class
that the Washington riders are expected
to shine. Schade and Moran. two as
speedy riders as there are in the coun try,
will uphold the reputation of Washington s
racing contingent, and they will Doubtless
do it well. Wilson i sanother lad who ma J
prove a factor, even against the swift
riders of the North.
With these three men the local racing
prestige is sure to be well sustained
More than eco riders of both sexes took
advantage of the occasion to 60 over 10
PHILADELPHIA, so that the Washington
colony is one Of the largest at the meet
The Washington headquarters are at the
Lafayette Hotel. It goes without saying
that all who went took their wheels with
them. Philadelphia and its suburbs is
noted for the excsuence OF it's roads and the
beauty Of the scenery in the country about
the city A number OF monster runs took
place during the week, all of which were
greatly enjoyed.
A thing which the Washington cyclists
viii probably have impressed upon their
minds 20 the strictness with which the
bicycle ordinances are enforced in that
| city. In the City OF Brotherly Love the
| police have almost entirely broken up the
| habit of the wheelmen in riding on the
| letf-hand side OF the street. 1t was hard
lesson at first and there was howl raised
| but the riders gradually accustomed them
selves to it and now they support the
| police in the matter.
1t may be mentioned wagons and other
| vehicles come under the ordinance, and
/ they felt the toIce of the Law as Well a
number OF wheelmen at the big meet un-
/ used to strict enforcement of sdch laws,
were arrested during the week, but in most
| case sthe police judges couTteously dis
| missed them with slight Ieprimands.
| Indianapolis is making a strong bid for
the national meet next year. So far there
has been no concerted effort on the part
| of the wastin gton division to secure the
| meet for this city.
/ There seems to be no reason why suct,
an effort should not be made. Washington
with its miles OF asphalt streets, offers at
fractions for cyclists which cannot be
| equaled by any city in the count ~.
Then the number and variety Of attrac
tions in the way Of Government depart
! ments, museums and scenery make it a
| peculiarly desirable place for such gath
ering. 1t is the Capital of the land and the
| seat Of the lawIna kers, whom the league /;
| making every endeavor to influence IL
! favor Of better laws for cyclists.
The hot and rainy spells OF the past few
| weeks have seriously affected the sport ol
| lncal racing. Doubtless the fact that peo
| pie viii not turn out under such atmos
| pheric Conditions has deferred the Athletic
| Park mana agement from even conSideTine
the adyisability of giving a race meet. L
can scarcely be expected that any event
| will be brought off during August; bu
! that all efforts win be put forward {,
make the Labor Day meet a big one
A start has been made already by thl
Issuing Of entry blanks. which show a fini