The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-10-02
THE TIMES: RICHMOND VA, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2 1898.
NEWS NOTES
FOR WHEELMEN.


The ufLal accident. came on time last
Sunday when Will Richmond have her
cycle police.
Robert H. Ingersol & Bro. Of New
| York have addressed a circular letter 10
| an manufacturers of acetylcne lamps,
| stating that they find themselves unwar-
ranted in continuing 10 carry stock OF
| calcium carbide because the insurance
companies and the board of underwriters
| Of New York have pronounced against
| b.. and the firm will not jeopardize 10000
| worth Of insurance for the sake Of a few
| hundred dollars annual profit on the sale
| Of carbide. The lamp manufacturers are
requested 10 assist In having the insur-
ance question settled IN a regular way
with the insurance companies. and the
New York firm not only believes that this
can be done as carbide involves no dan
ger when properly put mp. bat also That
10 should be done speedily. because the
matter b. now occupying the attention oI
the companies and underwriters and Will
become the subject Of special inquiry by
Insurance inspectors I'm case OF fire losses.
To avoid invalidation OF policies in such
cases the condition Of uncertainty Ire-
vailing at present should be made known
and brought % an end by regulating the
manner I'm which carbide may be stored
go as 10 be countenanced by insurance
companies.
ABOLISH MAKERS GUARANTEED.
80 one who has perused the letters
from bicycle agents which have lately
been published IN the papers can have
failed 20 notice the unanimous condem-
nation Of abuses growing ont of the guar
antee system. as practiced az present
Having passed the stage when he acc
knowiodged patriarchai relations between
The manufacturer and himself and in re-
turn received "A liberal credit aud many
concessions by way of cancellation Of
contracts when required. the agent takes
the common sense view which every 9TH
en- business man in his place would take
that a system by which the manufac-
turcr steps i'm between the dealer and
the dealers customers and by % nominal
promise I'm his own name foists uDon
the dealer an obligation 10 provide free
repairs and advance incidental expenses
of transportation-that such a system
should not bee continued when the dealer
ceases 20 be willing TO support it..
II Is q relief 10 get away from the lugu-
hrious side Of the cycling situation and
note the celebration which has just ta-
ken place I'm Minneapolis on the occasion
OF the formal opening of tie first cycle
path I'm America. built with the aid Of
public funds The whoelmen of Minnea- |
polls persuaded their county commission |
ers 20 make an appropriation Of $1,000 for |
the building of a cycle path to Mime |
tonka.
The progressive cycle path law that |
was enacted by the Legislature of Ohio !
last winter is beginning to show its |
oil T.. r.ft haT Ia
been little opposition % the tax of 81 |
each uopn the wheelmen. for the purpose |
of securing money 20 defray the expense !
Of constructing paths but this has come |
mostly from old fogies and moss-back |
newspapers. their argument being that |
money paid for the paths should 20 10 /
improve the wagon roads instead. They !
invariably forgot 10 object 20 It's payment |
for this kind of Improvement. conveying |
the idea that the wagon tracks We're good |
enough for vheelmon even when they pay I
for their own roads.
10 could not Doe expected that taN of
q each upon the whcelmon would result |
in a system Of hrst-class paths 3ll over
the state the first year. or that advln-
tago would Doe taken Of the law I'm every
county. ass 90 is left optional with the |
wheelmcn and the commissioner of the
various counties Although iu some pore
lions o. the state riders had I'm the past
been contributing money for the cOnstruc-
ton of paths the idea had not become
general throughout the State and it is
therefore necessary to educate the wheel
men TO the Importance of such move
ment That this is being rapidly done
Is obvious from the work that is being
done.
Short permanent paths are being COM
itructcd I'm most counties, rather than
0ng temporary affairs. as has been the
-ulo heretofore The plan Is 20 secure
substantial work. within the Limit Of the
money paid for the purpose. Next year
hese will Doe extended. and in the course
'f time the State will have "a fine system
lf paths. which. like pixies. viii need only
occasional repairs. while the residue OF
Dee taxes may be expended I'm building
laths along cross roads. and I'm other
i.aces. I'm this way those counties that |
AYE never taken any interest I'm the |
natter viii be- brought into line by see
ng what their neighbors are doing il
n any county Whcclmen desire 10 pay |
more and have more extensive or more |
uhstautial paths they may do So ana
hus have the advantage of the roads
arIier than otherwise bat they can not
y thus doing secure credit on any fu-
ure taxes. They viii come every year
he same as the first.
a cuder path is now under ccrstruc-
ION from Cincinnati 10 Hamilton. a large
art Of the funds being secured from J
rack meets and other benefits The tax
you'd I'm no wise mcc. the expense Of
uch an undertaking, though. OF course.
was OF some aid
An enormous increase has taken pace
D the importation OK bicycles into Java.
.nglsh machines have been IN demand.
nd their sale has been I'm excess of for
IGN makes though German and Ameri-
an manufacturers have competed keen
2. The British consul at Batavia says
q IS Informed that 4 larger business
light be done by English bicycle manu-
lcturers If they were more willing 20 :
ut themselves IN direct communication
18th dealers in batavia. With fcw ex-
options English makes have 10 be pur-
lased through continental agents.
Roads are bad because:
They are not properly graded and shap-
Adequate drainage IS not provided.
Repairs are too long delayed
Unsuitable material IS used In making
em.
Too much material is put on at one J
me. j
The work is done ar the wrong season.
Too much is spent for material. /
fa Frt f.s p