Evening star., 1898-02-12

stantial compensation. In the desire to get
swift men to set the pace on the multicycles
the contestants are required oftentimes to
pay a large sum. and this they do without
a murmur, as good pacing is an essential
requisite for victory. In the amateur cy-
cling world the condition of affairs is
somewhat reversed. The amateur is sup
posed to ride for honor and glory alone, and
many do. There are many others who Will
be willing to furnish pace in a match race
simply for the honor and glory they will
get out of it in case their man wins.
The match race between Moran and Le-
Compte was arranged to fill out a vacancy,
as 1t were. Some time ago Robert French
of Baltimore issued a broad challenge to
lace any amateur a match event from one
quarter to twenty-five miles, or for twenty
four hours He received n number of an
swers to the same. NJ. F. Carter, a we'll
known bicycle man of Baltimore, who is
personally acquainted with Moran, on jan
uary - mailed the following letter:
Would you be satisfied to ride a match
race with Bob French, or any other rider
i'll baltimore, any distance from a quarter
up to twenty-five miles, paced or unpaced
or pursuit race, for suitable prize that
would reach the limit that is offered to
class a riders by the L. A. w? My object
in writing you this letter, Moran, is to sec
whether it meets with your approval, a
Few of us are making an effort to resurrect
bicycle racing in Maryland aSain. We
think that match racing can be made to
draw larger crowds than the other style as
heretofore. If you are riding as you have
been feel confident that you can beat any
rider here"
A reply was Immediately sent to the
above letter by Moran announcing his will
1ngness to meet French or any other rider
for any distance from one mile to twenty
five miles. A match race for any distance
less than mile the writer did not think
particularly interesting, ,ex pressing a prefer
for fr-nt v,,;1.
makers.
The reply to the communication after 1t
had been presented to French came in
the shape of telegram. which read:
French wants n twentyfour-hour race
on track. Shall 1 take him; answer. NJ. f.
Carter" The answer wired back was yes,
and this vas presented without loss of
time to the Baltimore rider. This was
something which French had evidently not
heen looking for. thinking that an endur-
ance race would prove too much for the
Washngtonian. The next correspondence
on the subject intintates that French had
lost his nerve. and would throw up the
sponge, refusing to back up his challenge.
The matter was calculated upon being
settled by French accepting the challenge
of Henry Smith. another Baltimore rider,
who last year established a new twenty
four-hour record for Maryland. This was
the only method in which he could grace
fully retire without any insinuations being
made against his desire to race.
The letter, which bore the date of Feb
ruary 4, further stated that if French
evaded the challenge an offer would be
published to ride against any Baltimore
rider for any distance up to fifty miles. No
match was to be arranged unless a month
or two would elapse as to enable both
contestants to get into the pink of con-
d:tion for the test that was before them.
The writer expressed his confidence that
Moran could in twenty-five miles give
.; l;,,- L, rl,,
care for. In Baltimore for pacing work
Moran was assured that he could get at
least five tandenls and a quad and ten
good pacemakers besides what riders could
be taken over from this city to officiate al
the contest. The Baltimore papers doomed
the matter in good style. and gave scare
headlines to the proposed match, publish
ing a picture and sketch of Moran. and
the good work that he had done on the
track last season.
AS was expected, French evaded the ac-
ceptance of the challenge to him, and the
open challenge to other Baltimore riders
was Immediately accepted by w. G.. Le-
Compte. The distance and date has been
arranged and everything is now waiting
for the day of the race to determine which
is the best man.
Both of he Baltimore riders are known
to the bicycle portion of this city, as both
have figured in race meets at the Interna-
tional Athletic Park for the past two years
three years ego, when the series of inter-
city races was inaugurated, in which the
Washington riders won by a good score
Last year both French and lie Compile were
over to ride in several meets, and they
also participated in the only inter-city
race meet held last season, when the Wash
ir gton riders beat them badly. and fin
ished in one, two, three order, Moran being
on the winning team.
Millard T. Carter, who is arranging for
Moran at the other end of the line, is a
well-known racing man, now retired, but
who p,ade a good showing while on the
track. In the Baltimore papers Carter
is quoted as saying that the pace in a
race between Moran and French would be
so swift that the latter at the end of the
distance would believe he had ridden twen-
ty-four hours.
AS the race is over three months dis
tant Moran has not as yet taken time to
make any arrangements for the same.
He will secure the services Of a number
of local amateur riders to help as pace
makers. He will also carry over one or
two triplets. thus having plenty of ma
chimes for his helpers in case anything
should happen. This is Of course count
ing on the pacing machines that will be
secured for his use in Baltimore.