Evening star., 1898-08-27

place in a professional race shall not ex-
ceed $3.50. If it is desired by a race meet
promoter to give a bigger first prize than
this sum, he must first obtain the consent of
the chairman of the board. This happens in
the case of paced match races between
crack riders. Some of these races cost
each contestant somewhere in the neigh
bCrhood of 81 900 for single event. whic \
includes salary for pacemakers, cost of
machines used, when they are hired; the
board of all whils in training and the
training expenses, etc. The consent for
giving a bigger prize is easily obtained,
but in consideration for this courtesy the
race meet promoter is obliged to pay dou-
BILE price for his sanction.
Scarcely week passes that the bulletin
OF the chairman of the racing board does
not contain the names of cyclists who have
been declared professionals for violations
of the racing rules. AS the League of
American Wheeimen is said not to be an
Incorporated body, the reason advanced for
declaring professionals is for the protec-
tion Of other riders. AS one of the high
officials stated some time ago in the official
bulletin of the organization the league does
not declare man professional but sim
ply designates him as such; probably in
order to give him proper ranking. To
many this seems to be an extremely fine
distinction.
Early this season movement was start
ed on the Pacific coast against the alleged
arbitrary actions and rules of the racing
board. The matter of Sunday racing was
largely mixed up in the affair. A secession
movement broke out In California The
movement did not have the support antici-
pated, and soon died. A number of riders
Joined in the secession. At its dissolution
they were received back by the chairman
of the racing board, and allowed to race
under the league rules, after they had once
been suspended for their part taken in the
support of the secession. The league off,
cials were thought to be afraid to continue
open warfare for fear Of arousing other
sections of the country, and instead of
stamping out the movement, adding fuel to
the flames.
1t Is now understood that a well-orsan-
lied movement affecting the league will
soon be made in the east, and this city will
be interested. 1t will not be a movement
effort to obtain control Of professional rae
ing. The movement has been in progress
for some time, and is now just getting ripe.
In speaking of the matter to a Star re-
porter, a gentleman, who is one of the lead
ing factors In the racing game, and the
mouthpiece Of those who have plenty of
money to back up any movement. made
some interesting statements. He did not
want his name mentioned, because its pub
lication would prematurely open the fight.
The movement, he says, Is one of great
proportions, and embraces the whole east
ern slope. the home of cycle racing
'The League ofsAngrican Wheelmen is
nothing but a blaekmailing organization, .
said he, land the only wonder to me is that
1t has never been made to appear as de-
fendant In court on such a charge What
business has It to- blacklist a track II does
not own and has no interest in? The peo-
pie who built and own the track ought to
be able to run it hto suit themselves. and
not the league. have noticed, however,
that it has been somewhat careful as to the
tracks it blacklists, for fear of legal com
plications following. Il any of the tracks
under our control are ever blacklisted the
matter will be taken into the courts and
before all. It's hold Is gradually weaken
ing, and I venture, to say that within two
| months from now the league viii have
nothing at all to do with racing. 1 am will
ing to bet any one, fiveeto one, taking any-
thing over 500, that what say will prove
true.
The war of the revolution was fought
because there was taxation without repre-
sentation. In the League of American
Wheelmen this is the case regarding pro-
fessional riders They are made to pay a
registration fee, are indiscriminatelv fined
and in every way made amenable to the
| rules of the organization, yet they do moi
have one word to say for themselves. AS
| far as they are concerned they are a lot OF
| sheep, and must go whichever way the
shepherd directs. If the league does moi
| declare or recognize a professional rider
I why does it take his money? Simplv he.
| cause 1T is a money-rnaling scheme.
'"The league foundeEs never contemplated
| handling racing, yetif the game be elm.
! mated from the organization where will ii
| stand today? The Cyclists Touring Clut
| of England and the Touring Club of France
are both popular organizations, vet neither
one assumes or pretends to assume control