The times., 1898-09-25
Middle-Distance Racing Season
Now Closed.
A MISUNDERSTANDING YEAR
Outlaw Races VIII BE HUN mt Madi-
son Square Garden Thanksgiving
6Ight-Western Racers In froubie.
Standing of MiddIe-Distanee and
Championship GliRts.

adelphia-haye witnessed any of the lead
ing events, and in many OF those races
the decisions and outcomes have been
most unsatisfactory.
Looking over the entire season. perhaps
the last meeting between Michael and
Linton was the most interesting event |
up TO a certain point. That point was
when Michael caught and Tapped Linton. |
After that it degenerated into record |
trial with no records broken. No other |
race during the season was even remotely |
Interesting after half or two-thirds of
the distance had been covered. and per-
haps the first meeting between the two
Welshmen was the next most important |
A great deal of the interest in this race
was centered upon the fact that il was
the first meeting between two of the
greatest rivals the cycling world has ever
known. 1t was battle worthy the glad
iators of old, but at twenty-three miles,
after Linton had recouped himself. all in
terest in the race ceased, as il was seen
that he was baked, just as he showed
himself to be the second time they met.
Michael and McDuffee are the champions.
Next to these two men comes little Har-
~ Elkes. the STRIPPING from New York
State, and then Taylore. although the lat
ter failed 10 win a decisive race. due to
the poor management of those who had
him in charge rather than TO any lack of
speed or ability that he might possess.
a Notwithstanding Season.
This season has witnessed the greatest
slaughter of records that has ever been
known in cycle racing McDuffee started
the game when he rode Fred Titus fif-
teen miles at Boston. He lowered
bunch of them at this time. The next
race was between Vernier and Taylore
al Philadelphia, and here Vernier low
cred a number of other records Linton
and Elkes were fighting il out in Boston
at this time, and, after the race a COM
plete new table had to be made. Follow
ing this McDuffee-Hoyt and Titus-Linton
rode and for a wonder no records were
made. The next week, however. McDuf-
fee again rode Hoyt and established new
competition records Then McDuffee rode
Michael and another set was established,
followed closely by Linton against Titus
again and Linton against Taylore. Nc
DufIee then established new set when
he rode the negro, Taylor, and when he
went TO Philadelphia he saw Linton de-
feat Tayiore and change his previous
marks. Coming back to Boston McDaf-
fee rode Taylore and made new records,
and then Linton lost to Elkes, who set up
complete fresh slate, which remained
until Michael and Linton met. when
another change was made. Thus il went
along for the season, each subsequent
race showing a better burst of speed than
the previous race and the close critics of
the sport wondered where it would all
end Many of them wondered how such
remarkable times were possible but they
seemed to lose sight of the fact that for
the first time in the history of middle-dis-
tance racing the Americans were pre-
pared with the latest pacing machines,
better trained riders and faster tracks.
This is what has placed America so far
ahead of the entire world in cycling af-
fairs and is what promises to keep her
there so long as she chooses to strive for
that place.
-weIchinE" on Due Bills.
Numerous suits are now on the New
York docket against the would-be mon
arch OF cycle racing even at the present
time. One Of them is for "welching' on
signed due bills. Jimmy Michael is su-
ing them for Illegally retaining his prize
money. while another ex-employe is su-
ing them for services rendered. In Phila-
delphia it is told how they leased GER
tain bicycle track and then failed to pay
the rent of same, the debt being settled
bN d SETEN0 move On A4ElT pdIl III lTd11o-
ferring the McDuffee-M Michael match race
from New York to Philadelphia
Just what the racing men will gain by
casting their lot with these parties is not
known. They certainly cannot be better
protected. as the method of protection
essayed by the promoters during the past
season has conisted chiefly Of telling their
creditors to go to the courts and collect
If possible. otherwise TO pocket their
IL 70 @lpa
tracks can be secured in the East for
outlaw races. and while it is barely pos
sible that races may be run unsanctioned
I'm the West and far South, racing has
never paid in these sections save at cer-
tain periods, and then only in small de-
gree.
Outlaw Racing in New York.
The first move towards outlaw races
viii be made on Thanksgiving night
when an outlaw race viii be run at Madi-
son Square Garden. Eddie McDuffes and
Edouard Taylore are slated for match
race at that time. and this will be the
first act in the new farce of cycle man
agement. History bids fair to repeat it
self. and If it does, then within quar-
ter after the few racing men desert the
League of American Wheelmen they win
seek readrnission and swear subservience
most penitentiy.
The question of league or foreign con-
troll of cycle racing is no longer a theory,
II is condition, and ere the present year
dies the first great struggle will have en-
sued and il viii then be seen which side
has the strongest supporters To those
who have watched the growth of the
sentiment against the control of racing
by the League of American Wheelmen.
the belief is general that racing will re-
main under the patronage of the organi-
Zation which has brought it up to its
present high standard.
Promoters Oppose the l.. a. w.
The strongest opposition that has yet
arisen TO the control OF the League OF
American Wheelmen is by the promoters,
and it is exceedingly unlikely chat they
win ever succeed in their efforts to wrest
control from the other organization. In
the first place. there are no changes that
can be made in the control of racing that
would benefit the sport. II is said that
the attitude Of the League of American
WheeImen in denouncing six-day races
was the first fault TO be found, and yet
only those financially interested in this
revolving spectacle have protested. They
protest not because they believe il to be
the best for the interest of the sport, but
because they believe il TO be best for
their personal exchequers. The sentiment
is strong against such a race. and New
York viii probably see a bill similar TO
the Illinois measure prohibiting such bru-
tai contests if the outlaws attempt TO
run the race anyway.
The American Cycle Racing Association,
which essays to usurp the management OF
cycle racing in America. certainly have
NOT shown the necessary requirements for