Omaha daily bee., 1898-08-28

off in members. have given vitality to the
inquiry. What is the matter with the
League OF American Wheelmen.' Inc
thoughtless answer, ITS all right" But
II is not Its warmest supporters admit
the presence of dangerous microbes in the
organization. and foresee dissolution unless
radical changes are made in its plans.
Among the supporters Of the league the
New York Tribune holds high rank, and
deservedly so. Its comment on the present
condition is weighted with the friendship
OF years and is entitled to serious consd-
eration. "In 1897" says the Tribune, 1.-The
membership in the organization was more
than 100000. but this year the number has
dwindled down to little more than $4,000.
The thinking men OF the league are losing
much sleep trying to find out the cause for
this slump. and many of them have come
to the conclusion that the racing has had
much to do with the falling off in member
ship and the decreased interest taken in
the work of the organization by many OF
its members. The opinion that racing
should be divorced from the League OF
American Wheelmen has steadily grown
during the last two years. When the New
York division first made its fight against
racing at the National assembly at Balti- =,
more two years ago the other divisions
thought that this division was merely maxi
ing bluff" and Chief Consul Potter and
bis friends were laughed into silence Re
Gently several Of the other states have come
out openly in favor of abandoning racing.
With New-Yark Massachusetts, and New
Jersey banded together on this issue and
with several OF the other states ready to
follow such a lead, it can be seen that the
coming assembly at Providence in February
ltya1 1u ft-rA
program will be the plank on which some
of the state candidates will win or lose in
the coming state elections
The plan advocated by the Tribune Tor
the control of racing seems to be the. pest
one yet suggested Allow each state TO
elect or appoint man who will have charge
Of the racing interests for that district:
Then let these men get together, and form
q national organization, within the league
yet separated In, every way from all other
league work 1t might be called the Ma
tiopal, Racing Board" or the National
Racing association and there need be no
League of American Wheelmen attached TO
it in any way. Racing properly controlled
In this way would have the respect ana
confidence OF the public and the sport
which has deteriorated this year, can be
brought back to public favor. a.
Atam meeting held in New York recently Of
the board of directors of the National Board
OF Trade Of Cycle Manufacturers several de-
cisions we're reached affecting the trade for
the coming season. Among other matters
it was agreed to continue the sixty days
guarantee given by the dealer to the pur-
chaser. This length OF time has been founu
satisfactory, and 1t was decided 1t should
be continued. The proposition to mold a
trade convention was hurried into an early
grave The board decided fat-fcoted against
1t. 1t seemed the general opinion that the
coming season had already been laid ou,,
and that little was to be gained by gath-
ering that would involve considerable ex-
pense to all concerned. The trade patterns
in cycles and accessories have already peen
determined by most houses, and 1t would
not be feasible to change them after a con-
yention. 1t was admitted that IL conven-
tiou could have been held in July or earlier
much good might have resulted from II.
The long debated question OF cycle show
akain occupied the time OF the board. IL
was decided not to hold one this winter
or spring, and not to sanction any cycle
show that might be arranged by concerns
Beyond the jurisdiction OF the beard. FROM
the expressions OF opinion 1t seemed as II
the determination to refrain from cycie
shows was strong, and would be continued
wear after year. Last year it was ques-
ton for. current discussion whether the
hoard would not find it disadvantageous to
abstain from the annual exposition. The
manufacturers appear to have thought 9TH
erwi.e, however, and they are firm against
the cycle show.
Since January /, 1898. E. S. Edwards,
otherwise TEDDY" Edwards, has ridden
more than 23, 900 miles on his bicycle. He
rides 100 miles every day. rain or shine.
blizzard or sirocco, and intends to keep 1t
up until the year Is out. Moreover, he
weighs 1--WE pounds more than he did on
the day he started his heart breaking, nerve
rackiug ride and says he never felt better
In his life. q.
In appearance Edwards does not look the
athlete he is. being below middle height,
weighing only 120 pounds and having a
physique In almost every particular under
the average Of measurement. His legs
alone betray the secret OF his power. While
the upper portion OF his body Is not de-
veloped to any great extent his legs are
punches Of muscles. supple when at rest,
but capable OF assuming the hardness OF
iron with slight effort. .e. -a'. $3.50.
His shoulder muscles are good as these
are brought into play by leaning over the
handlebar OF his wheel. The rest OF the
upper portion OF his body looks no stronger
than that OF thousands Of clerks who get
very little exercise. His legs are a study
for an anatomist, his thigh and sprinting
muscles being wonderfully developed.
There is a noticeable lack of "scorcher"
lines in Edwards face, which is contrary
TO theories. His eyes are bright and his
complexion is ruddy. He is round shoul-
dered, but not "bicycle bumped" which is
fast becoming another evaporated supposi-
tion. In fact theories, deductions and sup
positions bearing upon the possibilities OF
bicycle riding have rather been swept aside
by this young Welshman. who has already
ridden more than $4,000 miles this year.
Whether he will be able to continue through
out the year remains to be seen, but, bar
ring accident, the odds look TO be in his
favor.
Bicycle riding up a steep grade, according
to physicians. imposes a sudden and severe
strain upon the action OF the heart The
remedy is simple. Dismount and trundle
YOUR wheel up the grade. Many from a