Evening star., 1898-10-19
lie WANTS REINSTATEMENT
CURRENT , SPORTING NEWS

The outlaws who recently jumped the
League of American Wheelmen and who
refused to carry out their contracts with
the track owners who operated under the
l.. a. W. rules are one by one asking to be
reinstated, the latest applicant being owen
kfmble, who says the recalctrants are
not adhering to their promises. He asks
that if the league is going to control the
racing he would like to be reinstated. The
L. A. W. has always controlled racing as
well as racers.
1t is not likely that there will be any
bicycle champion this year. as the circuit
schedule was not run, and the weather
would not permit racing, should the riders
be reinstated. The racing men want to
get under Chairman Motifs wing and want
his protection.
The leaders of the Cycle Racers Union
have found out their mistake, and 1t is not
at all improbable that the next few days
Will see a rush among the outlaws to be
reinstated by the racing board. Chairman
Albert Mott received a letter yesterday
from Herbert W. Foltz of Indianapolis in
terceding for Major Taylor. Mr.. Foltz
said Taylor hoped that the fine of $3.50
might, perhaps, be reduced. Chairman
Mott wired Mr.. Foltz that the $3.50 fine
would never be less and might in future
be more.
McDufee Not a Seceder.
Eddie McDuffee strongly denies the story
sent out by the secretary of the American
Racing Cyclists Union that he is to join
that organization. Il have no such inten-
ton, said McDuffee. "as l am well salts
fled as l am The L. A. W. has always
treated me fairly and has managed racing
affairs far better than any other organiza-
ton could do until it has had the expe-
rience of the l. A. w, consequently l see
no reason why l should throw over this Or
ganfzation for something new"
Eddie Bald has arrived in New York and
will contine his bicycle riding to a sta
ito AIRY appliance arranged on the stage
in the future. Bald has no positive ideas
whether to retire on his laurels or to try
another season.
An Insignificant Revolt.
In speaking of the organization that is
opposing the L. A. W. control of racing
Racing Chairman Mott of Baltimore last
night said: There are three outlaw tracks
those at Washington. st. Louis and Cape
Girardeau, Mo, while there are in round
numbers about 1000 tracks under L. A. w
control. The 1nsurgent' racers number
about twenty-six out of the $1,000 racing
men in America. From this you will see
how really insignificant the rebellion is
What success have they had? Well, at the
meeting in Washington, which was to take
the place of the national circuit meet, there
was on the first days racing an attendance
by actual count, of fewer than 800, in spite
of the fact that 1.500 free passes had been
and on the second day the at
tendance fell below $50. In St Louis the
other day the attendance was about 1000,
although the racing was on Sunday and
there was no ball game. The last meet on
the same track drew 1000, although not
held on Sunday The rebellion was i'll
advised. in my opinion, at any time: but all
the more so at the time the riders selected
for the break. 1t seems to me they ought
to have waited until the national circuit
was finished. They cut themselves out of
the competition for some rich purses and
are riding now f5r first prizes of $40
Causes for Revolt.
Mr.. Mott talked Interestingly of the
causes which led up to the revolt 1T
elder lost his position as official handicap
per for the New York division. He did
most of the work, and was backed by the
American Cycle Racing Association which
is really the backbone of the movement
This association carried on racing at the
Madison Square Garden last year, and
wants to do the same this winter. The
members of that association think they
must have a siX-day race. They know they
can get no sanction for such race, the
limit under our new rules being three days
with two hours rest each day. In fact. the
association can get no sanction at all from
the l. a. w. because of numerous un-
sportsmanlike actions in the past. Plainly
that concern had no use for the l.. A. w"
What motive had Bald and the other
riders? We'll really. | know of none, ex-
cept that Bald comes from the same town
as Batche}der and is a warm personal
friend of his. / do not know WHY the 9th
ers left. Yes, Bald and Cooper had been
fined. but that was for training on an un-
sanctioned track and they knew they would
be fined and did it purposely. | think be-
cause they had previously determined to
secede. / knew of the movement from its
very inception; knew of every meeting held
and what was said and done at the meeting
but did not bother about il until the open
rupture came. and then l had to take ac-
ton ~
The bicycle manufacturers are now be-
ginning to feel the heavy hand of the L,
A. w, as this is the time of the year they
generally try to make records for their
wheels Major Taylor received letter a
Few days ago from the manufacturer for
whom he rides, to go to certain l.. A. w
track around New York and try for a rec
ord, but when Taylor arrived with his
trainer, manager pacemakers and wheels
ne was informed that the could not ride on
the track. 0--