Omaha daily bee., 1898-11-06
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Two events OF considerable Importance
broke in upon the slumbers of the wheeling
multitude during the week. The first was
a slump in the price OF chainless wheels
and close with It came decisions to revive
cycle shows during the winter.
The chainress wheel combine, which
started in quite cheerily last spring with
century and a quarter rate, very suddenly
found the pace too hot for the multitude.
They discovered before the daisies bloomed
that the price did not grow on the bushes
Chain wheels we're still in public favor
A good ono was to be had for from $50
down. Dealers had cycles to burn. The
multitude was we'll supplied and novelties
were at a discount. On top OF this came
a decided slump in wheeling, both for pleas
ure and profit. AS a result the chainFess
did not take public fancy and compare
lively few were marketed.
The Pope Manufacturing company, which
practically controlled the chainless wheel
through patents and which fixed the price
at $l25, now acknowledges having made
blunder and cuts $50 off the price. The
chain Columbas and Hartfords have also
dropped to $50 and $40. Regarding the cut
Colonel Pope says that it was a matter of
much regret with him that such a move was
necessary, as he believes that there will be
many failures in the trade In consequence
of the constant hammerlng down of prices.
Only the biggest concerns can afford to
make really first class wheels at the prices
now ruling, and even they will be scarcely
able to come out clear. So far the trade
itself is concerned, he expects to see the
smaller manufacturers succumb and the ul-
innate salvation OF the others and Of the
retailers will, he thinks, be in the develop
ment of the motor carriage industry"
Whatever may be said against the quality
of cheac wheels 1t must be admitted that
from a selling standpoint they have been
the competitors OF the so-called high grade
machine and to them can be traced the
cause to large extent for the drop in
prices. Through them it was demonstrated
that the difference between the cost and
selling price of a wheel has been tremendous
in past years, all of which came out Of the
purchaser. Costly racing teams may have
made some difference, but not enough ia
double the price of a wheel. For two years
past there has been a tendency to shade
the prices on wheels to cash customers, but
1t was only within the last season that the
prices OF standard machines were openly cut
With competition on all sides 1t was fore
gone conclusion that there would have been
tO"S N'A'J
surprise Is that the reduction has been SO
great. They have been placed within the
reach Of all classes and, of course, the man
ufacturers are looking forward to increased
business to reimburse them in part for the
excess profits that have been cut of.
With the exception OF little more added
weight which has been found necessary for
general riding, chain wheels have moi
changed much and it is generally agreed
that they have reached a stage OF perfec-
tion that can hardly be improved upon. The
question of 30-inch wheels has practically
: been settled by the manufacturer, who has
learned by experience that they are not Sc
practical as the 2S-dpch wheels. Most of the
big concerns will keep the 30s In stock tc
fll special orders, but 1t is the opinion oi
experts that the use OF them will always
be limited.
New York, Chicago, Philadelphia ant
Denver are to have cycle shows during tn
winter, and all other line towns are likel.
10 follow. This announced intention set
aside the rule OF the National Cycle Boar
OF Trade, which decided against shows
year ago. But the demands of business ar
of greater Importance than the edict Of
few manufacturers, and it will be disre
facturer who is not a member OF the board
says a majority Of the makers composing
are in favor OF shows; they have been over
ruled by the executive committee, which
the governing body and Is controlled by
few magnates who would like to see tn
bicycle industry controlled by themselve
and who think that shows help the maker
OF lesser magnitude to keep alive. Thi
policy. II continued. will, he propheset
cause detection in the board which will re
suit in two or three Of the makers beln
arrayed against all the others. AS an illus
tratlon Of the good done by shows a peculia
circumstance Is related by New Yorker
who has followed cycling for years and ha
studied the present situation thoroughly. H
Gays that a motor carriage maker who ha
had his product on the market year ha
sold less than a dozen In this country, bu
he sent a carriage to the Paris show an
there received orders for nineteen. Thi
same advocate points also to the fact tha
In England, where two shows are hold q
London every year, there has been no sue
slump In the price Of bicycles as in tn
States, and the trade there is healthier gen
orally.
The row between the League of America
wheelmen and the newly organized Ameri
can Cycle Racing association Is to be alre
IN the courts. The seceders have brough
suit against the League of American Wheel
men Racing board for damages for allege
libel. Action In the suit hinges upon cir
Gular, purporting to have been issued b
Henry Sturney, honorable secretary Of tn
International Cyclists association. an
quoted in the League Racing boards bul
letn. sent out by Chairman Mott from Balti
more. Coming, as 1t did. on the heels @
rumors that a professional cycling racin
promoting concern OF this city had institute
the revolt of the racers. it appears to hav
inoensed the members of the America
Cycling Racing association. President Isaa