The record-union., 1897-10-01

New York Times: Earlier in the wear
| it seemed that the agitation over the
guarantee question would result in its
abolishment, if not for the entire wheel,
at least for the tires. Later action by
TRACE and manufacturers associations
leaves the question almost as little de-
termined as at first. Practically. the
Rubber Tire Association, which met in
New York less than a fortnight ago. de-
cided to retain the guarantee subject,
of course, to sort of ratification from
the Cycle Board of Trade. Free re-
pairs VIII not be granted, and, instead
of guaranteeing the tire for six months
from the date of purchase, the war
ranty will expire with the calendar
year
Many tiremakers will get over this
position by placing two sets of tires
at different prices on the market. Sew
eral single tube makers. for instance,
have agreed to maintain the price of
S6 q pair on guaranteed tires. and to
sell other tires without the guarantee
for 81 pair. This week the Cycle
Board of Trade will meet and some
definite action may be expected on the
guarantee problem, both for tires and
for the entire wheel.
The general opinion of cycle manu-
facturers is expressed in the words of
| a prominent concern-one which de-
elares it viii charge 800 for its wheels
next year-on the question. 1--WE think"
they say. that the time has come when
bicycle makers should be ready to
make a bicycle that can stand on its
merits and perform the duties required
of it without being held up by its
maker. and that bicycle makers should
either make such bicycles for the pub
lic-bieycles that do not need to be
nursed and repaired on account of de-
fect-or else they should quit making
bicycles. We believe the best interests
of all concerned would be served by
withdrawing the guarantee"
Some few of the manufacturers favor
a compromise, that is, limiting the
guarantee to a short period, say thirty
or sixty days. This would be a virtual
adjustment of the guarantee and yet
would serve the interests of the pur-
chaser. Even thirty days is ample
time for apy weakness to make its ap-
pearance. If this is true of metal parts.
1t is yet more true Of tires. The moral
necessity that no respectable manufac-
turer shall put out a wheel possessing
imperfections and the injustice of fore
ing maker to nurse his product a full
year are the two conditions that will
/ have to be carefully adjusted before the
question viii be settled.
! One Of the best uniformed and off,
/ cered cycle clubs in New York is com
posed entirely of japanese.
| Cycle racing is not as perfect as it
may be at some later date. and a num-
/ Der OF changes are constantly being
I suggested. Among the changes that
/ have been proposed to put the sport on
more satisfactory basis is to abolish
| the amateur races, except the novice
event, and to classify the racers ac-
| cording to their competition records for
i the mile. Instead of the omen and
/ handicap events. it is proposed to suh-
stitute the following standard races.
/ Novice. open to all riders who have
| never won a prize in a track race. free
! for-alis, opens and handicaps: 200
class. opens and handicaps: 2:1O class
| opens and handicaps; 2:20 class, opens
and handicaps: 2:30 class. opens and
/ handicaps; 2:40 class. opens and hand
caps. and 800 class, opens and handi-
caps. for all riders who have not won a
race for a mile under three minutes.
For the novice events medals might
be awarded, for all events slower than
the a.15 class merchandise prizes such
as are row given in amateur races, and
cash prizes for the 2:15 class and fast
er. grading the prize limit for each
class from. say. S25 to $500, the last
for the free-for-all
| The popularity of cycling has Won
! derfully increased in Spain Of late.