Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1898-06-30
W. l. ARMAC0SE:
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For the Apprehension and Con-
yictiOn Of the Parties who
Composed. Printed and Dis.
tributed the Following Libel.
GUS Circular.
To Members of the Associated Bicycle
Clubs:
Fellow Riders: We, the committee
appointed by the Executive Committee to
make complete and searching invcstiga.
ton into the rumors which have recently
gained circulation to the effect that the
RAMBLER Bicycle, manufactured by Cor
mully & Jeffery for the past nineteen years,
during which time it has stood high in pub
lie favor, is now being manufactured out Of
inferior material and put together in very
inferior manner, and therefore unsafe for
any other than boulevard riding, make the
following statement:
AS the matter was deemed important to
both ourselves and the firm Of manufactur-
ars' whose reputation for years has been OF
the best, your committee decided to make
complete investigation and give Gormully
& Jefrreys every opportunity to maintain
the reputation SO long enjoyed by the RAM
BIER wheel
Upon our visit 10 the Offices Of Gormully
& Jeffrey we were very courteously received
as the representatives of the Associated BIZ
cycle Clubs, but upon our stating our errand
and that we would like to be given the
the opportunity to inspect the factory and
construction of the RAMBLER wheel, we
were very plainly told that such request
could not be granted and that il was none OF
our business as to how the wheel WAS man
ufac,ured. MIR. Jcffery talked very persist
entity of his high business standing and
stated that the RAMBLER had been nine
teen years on the market and that the rumors
(Which he acknowledged were in circuation)
were instigated by rival manufacturers. We
| informed him that we could very easily find
out whether or not the RAMBLER was
safe wheel to ride if he would give US per-
mission to watch the construction Of set OF
them, but he declined.
Our next move was to place one OF our
members who is well known to you all, in
the factory as an employe in thesassembling
department. He made application and
secured employment in the course of few
DAYS and thus had an excellent opportunity
to keep his eye OH the building Of the RAM
BIER wheel. He spent ten days in the fac.
tory and then rendered his resignation, at
which the foreman expressed regret. stating
that he was one eff the best wOrkmen in the
room.
Our report is as follows The RAMBLER
wheel of today IN no way compares with the
RAMBLER of a few years ago. Not only
is the material used in its construction of
poor grade. but the workmen are q very
inferior lot. Very few mechanics are en-
ployed IN the factory and none of the men
who were with Gormuly & Jeffrey when
they made the wheel famous are with them
today, on account, we are informed, OF the
low wages paid.
ave therefore advise all members of the
Association to let the RAMBLER alone as
it is an unsafe wheel to ride and will not
stand road work."
This recommendation is made after very
careful study Of the material used aud meth
DDS of manufacturing the RAMBLER, and
we are assured that the reports are true in
fact and not instigated by jealous rivals as
Gormully & Jeffrey assert.
Respectfully,
JOHN CARLSON,
OKIE M. CHESMAN,
HENRY ARKSON.