New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-25
RITALRIES IN THE OPEN AIR.

Just now the friends OF outdoor sports in this
part Of America are chiefly busy In talking,
but II the weather is mild next month brisk
preparations for an exceedingly active season
will be In full swing New bicycle tracks Will
be opened soon and there will be wheel races
in plenty but amateur riders In this city VIII
find cause for regret that the Tammany Office
holders do not intend to lay additional asphalt
pavements on a great scale. Much has been
gained in recent years, however and it will be
for the advantage of the whole people II every
man and every woman who rides n wheel or
uses our thoroughfarcs for recreation OF any
kind will give aid TO the movement for good
roads Most of the States of the Union and
most Of the counties. cities. towns and villages
have fallen far short Of the full measure Of
their duty in improving the roads. Sound,
strong safe bicycles are cheaper this year than
ever before, and the vast army of riders will be
extensively enlarged The agitation for good
roads should be incessant and urgent. This
country is open to grave reproach because its
roads are so largely inferior to those of Great
Britain. France and Germany. Our voters and
our taxpayers, In fact, ali our men, women
and children, are vitality interested in good
roads.
The typicaly American game Of baseball
sank upon evil days when rapacious and I'M
scrupulous politicians obtained control of GER
tain clubs These ward-heeers have encour-
aged ruffianism upon ball grounds until the
scenes Of disorder at a number OF professional
games last year were dlscredltable and even
alarming. Professional mines VIII become OBJ
jects Of censure and dislike If the game is not
cleared Of mschievous uproar and If the man
ayers do not hold in proper restraint such turbu-
lent and perncious elements as should be re-
strained Unless policy Of severe repression
Is adopted and adhered to professional players
will run the risk Of being hooted out OF the chief
cities OF the United States, and baseball will
flourish no longer except among amateur clubs,
and especially the clubs Of our schools, col
leges and universities. Even In college con-
tests Mt times bitterness OF feeling has been
carried to excess, but the recent gratifying
adjustment of the relations Of great Eastern
universities concerning their representative
crews gives reason TO hope that in the various
struggles in which muscular students strive
for distinction every trace Of rancor and re-
sentiment will be removed.
1t is likely that 1898 will surpass previous
years in the number. diversity and interest OF
college contests decided in this country. al
though at present the prospect for International
battles Of moment between the champions OF
the nations separated by the Atlantic is not SO
encOura ging as ii has been in other seasons. IL
is not now expected that the best English
yachts will be ptted against the best Ameri-
can yachts in decisive matches on either side
Of the ocean, and the difficulties of arranging
satisfactory meetings OF the strongest univer
sity crews Of England and America may not
be overcome before 1899 Every step taken in
American institutions TO shut out from the
ranks OF college athletes those men who are
not In the true meaning Of the word and In the
highest sense, amateurs deserves the hearty
encouragement Of Americans who are devoted
to the promotion OF genuine and noble snort