Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-05

nave DeeU muCn raster tlan the ordinary
course of time.
One sure indication of this great change
Is evidenced in the local cycle board of
trade. The organization was conceived last
yesr. with much eclat, and with MEM
bership of a few less than thirty. The cry
and hue of the riders at the time of the
organization will be remembered by good
many. In the course of only one year the
membership of the organization has dwin-
died down to something like twelve mem
hers. At least that was the membership
a eek or so ago. The other members
dropped out for variety of causes. Some
changed their business, others retired from
the field others suffered through the clos
ing down of their factory, while others
drew out because their places as agents
were taken by new people. Not one MEM
Der drew out because of any disagreement
in the workings of the organization.
Another indication for the general public
of this continual change is traced to the
advertising OF the men. Take the program
of any good-siZed race meet held last year
at the International Athletic Park, and see
how many of the concerns are now in eX
lstence. At the Arlington Wheelmen meet
there were about twenty-five bicycle agents
still in the business. Twelve have dropped
out Of sight, three of which Withdrawals
were caused by change in the local agen-
cies through the direction of the main fac
tory.
Another thing that is noticeable is the
large number of bicycle stores and agencies
that are located on 18th street. This thor
oughfare seems to be faVorite for the
collection Of kindred business concerns, IL
the term may be used Between Pennsyl-
Vania avenue and f street the street has
long borne the name of Newspaper row Oh
account of the large number of correspond
ents whose Offices were located In the block.
The row is now in process of disinteSra-
ton. The correspondents are taking up
quarters in other sections of the city.
with the hicyc1a business Fnliy two
thirds. or perhaps three-fourths of the
agents of bicycles in the city have estab-
lsned their business on this street. Manu-
factories that have branch houses in the
city hav: them located on this street. while
perhaps subagents of the branch house may
be located in all sections Of the city. This
collection of the bicycle houses is of con-
siderable convenience to the general pub
lie. If person desires to purchase wheel
and Is undecided what make to secure, a
trip up 14th street will give him view of
n ost of the leading models that are offered
for sale In the city. A choice Is pretty apt
to he made after a tour of the street. The
street has been dubbed Cycle row, and the
name seems extremely suitable. The only
inconvenience, if it may be called such, is
that the houses are located all along the
thoroughfare, almost to the boundary. No
particular side of the street is occupied, but
cycle signs can be seen displayed every
where The bicycle business has made a
great change in the street and brings
good deal more traffic than would other
wise be the case
1t has only been about five years ago that
the pioneer house established itself on this
ttoToughfare. Other bicycle houses were
opened in different parts Of the city, but
majority Of the men behind the same pre-
ferred the buster streets as the scene for
their business. 1t was thought that more
trade would result from this selection. The
mistake Of the selection seems to have been
acknowledged by all, since the quarters
have been moved. The pioneer house on
10 or Wa Had nv la
of other dealers. The selection of such an
out-of-the-way place of business was
thought to be an absurd thing. The con-
Germ. unmoved by the expressions of con-
temporaries. started to advertise judicious-
ly, and in a short time the business began
to come in that direction. Seeing the sue
cess of this house other dealers moved on
the same street, and adopted the same tao
tics. One by one the number of agencies
on the street increased, until the number
of today mas been reached.
From a bonanza business the trade has
settled down to a matter-of-fact event, in
which the profits are no greater than in
any other branch Of business. The bicycle
has gone through ths experience of the
sewing machine. which at first brought so
much cash for each machine, but which
now brings reduction of several hundred
per cent of the original price. The only
difference Is that the reduction in thu price
Of bicycles has not been in as great proper
ton. The price has come down matter OF
100 per cent, and little more in some
cases, but thsre are some who are looking
for still greater reduction.
Competition has been the cause Of this.
In the general commercial world the large
profits in the business induced many con-
Germs to organize which would be better
qualified to turn out plows than bicycles.
Competition among agents has been big
cause of the change Of business in this
city, and this same competition still goes
on. All strive to capture the greatest
amount of trads, and dealers smile at the
unfortunate dealer who is left in the lurch
through the failure Of his factory. And
still the business goes on. The reduction
in the price Of the wheels has been follow
ed by reductions In repairing In all its
branches. The cut has been all along the
line
There is big difference in the rates of
payment when a wheel Is bought on the
installment plan. There are plenty of per-
sons who would not think of purchasing
wheel on any other but the installment
plan. They may be perfectly able to pay
the full price spot cash, but they have a
If wheel is bought by them on the par
tial-payment plan, the dealer will be more
careful to look after their interests and
attend more fully to the guarantee given.
ments are being made. IT, on the other
hand, cash Is given, the dealer will, on all
possible occasions. avoid doing any guar
antee work, and charge for all minor re-
pairs 1HiS Inlay Dc true OF some OF the
cycle dealers and their method of doing
business. Now wheel can be bought Of
some dealers practically on the terms die
tated by the purchaser, so great is the
competition. The payments are made easy,
and both parties interested are generally
satisfied over the result.
Another Noticeable thing in the trade Is
In the line of donations. A few years ago
the dealers were liberal in giving wheels
away. Bicycle meets were given wheels as
prizes, and fairs and other events were
given wheels to be voted for or raffied
The freedom with which the bicycles were
given astonished many people. That was
In the time when a dealer made enough off
Of the sale Of one bicycle to give another
away, and, in the hopes of selling a few
more wheels. this policy Of donating was
pursued. Now that the profits of the trade
have been reduced. the wheels are not
given away with as much freedom 1t is
seldom that a dealer now donates a wheel
for anything. He cannot afford to do 1t,
Other ways of securing trade have been
devised. and other means of securing free
advertising have been adopted. To keep
the wheel he sells in popular favor a deal
er Is willing to do good many things.
One dealer advertises to repair free of
charge every wheel sold by him. whether
damaged through accident or through
20 Ill