The record-union., 1898-01-06


score of musically-inclined cyclists
proficient at the new game.
~
In spite of the Unborn prejudice or
the average Englishman against the
products of nations other than his own,
the bicycle trade of American manu-
faclurers in Great Britain has grown
with tremendous strides during the past
two years. From tables compiled by
the Government it is shown that our
increase in this particular branch has
been greater than in any other depart
ment OF our export commerce. Ihe ex-
ports of bicycles from American ports
to Great Britain during the fiscal year
ending May 81, 1896, amounted in value
to So21, GOO. The value of bicycle ex-
ports for the corresponding year end
ing May 81, 1897. reached the surpris-
ing figure of S2,0S2, 900. The meaning
of that jump of almost 700 per cent. in
one year is unmistakable, particularly
when it is taken into consideration that
only high grade machines can be mar
keted successfully in England. The
chief reason for this remarkable Ge-
velopment is the fact that American
/ manufa cturers have greatly lessened
1.-the cost of and largely increased their
output of by the employment of auto
matte machinery, while with very few
exceptions the British makers stick to
the old methods of hand labor. Certain
bicycle parts are being turned out by
American factories by the thousands,
While the British are content with sin
gle pieces, made laboriously and ex-
pensivey by hand.
With a view of supplying hospitals
and the National Guard with a convey
ance operated without horse power, a
cycle ambulance has been placed on the
market. OF course, in the big towns,
ambulance calls are frequent, and a
vehicle must be always ready to start
out. Eut in many of the smaller towns
the calls are SO seldom made that it
would not be deemed advantageous to
maintain a horse for ambulance work.
For such places the cycle ambulance
has been devised. 1t is constructed by
utilizing the framework and wheels of
two diamond-frame tandemS, placed
side by side about three feet apart,
connected by a framework of seamless
tubing, all very neat in appearance and
detached with little effort. Between
the two tandems upon the framework
| is placed a detachable stretcher, also
constructed of seamless tubing, sup
piled with four handles similar to the
cork grips used for bicycle handles, so
that the patient may be easily moved
without being disturbed. The contriv-
ance is also supplied with a canvas top
to protect the patient from the weather
or the gaze of the curious. The entire
| ambulance does not exceed $50 pounds
in weight, and can be easily operated
on an ordinary road by two men at
an average speed Of ten miles an hour.
A double steering device admits of easy
management, and pneumatic tires of a
large size contribute to the comfort of
the sufferer. Medical men who have
tried the new vehicle say 1t rides as
smoothly in all conditions as the ordi-
nary ambulance in vogue in the large
cities.
Novelties at the National Cycle Show
ait Crystal Palace, London, were not
very numerous. judging from the Eng
lbsh newspapers. American vehicles
were excluded, and the Continental
and English makes were almost entire
ly of a fixed type. Low-framed wheels
for bicycle polo, with celluloid disks
ON the front wheel to protect the spokes,
a frame with a swiveling top tube that
! may be displaced to permit of an easy
mount and replaced when the rider is
in The saddle, were some of the frame
departures. BrazelesS joints were shown
in many quarters. In accessories,
| acetylene lamps seemed numerous. An
| inflasor attracted much attention. 1t
consists Of a. cylinder highly charged
with carbonic acid gas. The tire valve
is connected with the cylinder, a small
wheel is turned and the tire may be
puff Il to bursting without labor