New-York tribune., 1898-12-25
n THE CYCLING WORLD.
CHANCE THAT THE ANNUAL ELECTION
OF THE L. A. w. WILL BE HARMONIOUS.

NOT EXPECTED NOW THAT CONWAY '" SANS
WILL. BE A OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES THE
CONTROL OF RACING-NoTEs
AND COMMENTS.
While only the most enthusiastic wheelman
has been able to do much riding lately on ac-
count OF the disagreeable weather. the weather
prophets predict better atmospheric conditions
for time at least. and the riders OF the wheei
will take up the healthful recreation with con-
siderable enthusiasm where the weather forceo
them to leave eff. Even in the snow, rain or
slush OF the early part of the week many
cyclists were seen abroad Well-posted cychs's
are of the opsaionAthat there will be more gem
eral riding done this winter. unless the weather
should be particularly severe. than has been the
case in any previous winter The rain and fog
Of the early part of the week played havoc with
what snow remained, and the clear weather of
Friday ard yesterday put most of the maeadam
roads. in excellent condition With clear weather
to-day the chances are that the popular "Ieei-
ways will be we'll patronized. All Of the CLUBS
have discontinued their runs for the season, but
If the weather is fine to-day impromptu runs
will be numerous The racing men are LOOKING
forward TO the annual run to ionkers ana
Tarrytown with considerable interest Last
season the run was made under the most as
Couraging circumstances and better weather Is
hoped for this season. The race will start al
Fifty -ninth-st and the Boulevard few minutes
after midnight on New Years. and the contest
will be under the supervision OF the Associated
Cycling Clubs Of New-York, ohiciais OF tne as,
sociation will provide each competitor with
ticket so that the disputes of last year are not
likely to be repeated.
1t Is beginning to look as if the annual con-
vention of the League Of American Wheelmen
this winter would be almost entirely harmonious
To date the ticket headed by T. J. Keenan,. jr
To- tbA Ga1h
officials of the L. A. w realize that 1t is time for
harmonious action all along the line The year
1898 proved to be a bad year for the L. A. W.,
as II did for many sports and recreations, and
the officials are determined to make up lost
ground The agitation already started In this
State by Chief Consul Belding and his friends is
the liveliest seen hereabouts In many years.
One week ago there small cloud on the
horizon which pOrtended the usual night ana
closely drawn lines Of previous years That was
when it expected that another candidate
would appear in the field against Mr.. Keenan,
for the presidency. Had Conway w. Sans, or
Maryland. made his appearance 1t would nave
meant that the usual political moves would De
made which would result i'm two complete ana
entire tickets being up. This would have ar
rayed the old factions and the assembly would
have adjourned with the same feelings OF bitter
ness that have marked its predecessors NOW IL
appears that there will he no rival candidate.
but instead. that the party leaders of the or
ganization will get together and agreeably de-
eide upon whom shall fall the obligations OF
office.
at seems to me-" says a member high in the
councils of the League OF American Wheelmen,
that the men who are agitating the divorce OF
racing from the organization at the coming as
sembly are making a mistake. 1t recalls to my
mind the old adage that a house divided against
itself will surely fall for that is just the situa-
ton as it occurs TO me. The League as at pres
ent organized is composed Of good roads advo-
Gates those in favor Of favorable legislation ana
those interested in cycle racing. OF the latter
there is q large number. we soon discover If
we study the subject. First. there are the clubs
promoting meets each year which number among
their members thousands who are also mem
bers of the League. These CLUBS nave oirect
interest in the sport, and for that reason tnese
members are also directly interested Then
there are thousands of League members VINO
attend racemeets and who do so for the love or
the snort. These want To see good, honest rae
ing even II they are not members OF the clups
promoting them. A third class is composed OF
tre racing men. the anna teurs who are mem
hers of the League, and there are hundreds or
them. They are directly interested. as they want
TO be sure that they are contesting on Sports
manlike principle with every other man, and
they know that competent government must
be at the head. fourth and smaller class
IS COMPOSED OF the members of the National and
State racing boards. the handicappers. track oth-
cas and others directly connected with the
government OF the sport"
While 1t is logical to expect that Albert Mott
should again be chosen for the craftsmanship Of
the Racing Board. there is reason for thinking
he may not be. Mr. Mott has made good Off
cial. The place he has held calls for supervision
over an army large as that OF the United
States in times Of peace. for there are nearly
twenty-five thousand riders in the country and
they are scattered over nearly two thousand
tracks. That he has made mistakes can be
pardoned when this is considered There Is
large amount OF work connected with his office.
and he may desire to retire. Should he not want
II again. or If other complications ensue. ii ap-
pears that the mantle Will fall upon Charles w.
Mears, now chief consul Of Ohio and for two
years Handicapped for that State. He is thor
oughy informed in the requirements Of cycle
racing, in so far a man may be who has not
had actual experience on the Racing Board and
Is possessed Of sound judgment He is ner-
vously energetic. and if he gets the same assist
Mr.. Mott has received he should make
good official
Three cycle shows Will be held in Belgium this
winter. The first will be opened at Antwerp. in
the hall OF the covered winter track. by the
Syndicate Of the Cycle Press; the second at
Brussels. under the direction Of the Union ct
Veloce Club Bruxelluis. at the Pole Nord and
the third by the Lege Centre de la Ligue We
lociptdiqnc Beige, at the Industrial Hall. The
Minister of War has just issued a decree pro-
vdng for the formation Of four companies Of
military cyclists from the regiment Of cara
biniers Each company will be provided with
125 folding bicycles
Next year in France all cycles and automobiles
will be obliged TO bear tag. or plaque. display
Ing the license number in clear figures. This
arrangement Is intended to make ii obligatory
that all cyclists and automobsts shall show
continually that they have paid the yearly tax
Of six francs.
Says a physician who is cyclist himself:
with care and proper attention. cycling should