Evening star., 1898-03-19
AMERICAN WHEELS ABROAD

AMEHiCAN WHEELS ABHOAD
In report to the State Department Con-
sui General Mason, at Frankfort, Ger
many, says, regarding American wheels
in that country: AN interesting side light
has been thrown upon the present situa-
tion of the American bicycle trade in this
country by a controversy that has recently
arisen between the Association Of German
Bicycle Dealers and one of its members, a
dealer at Winsen, in Hanover The asso-
citation comprises about $50 of the princi-
pal retail bicycle dealers in Germany, who
operate independently of manufacturers
and buy their stock wherever they can do
so to best advantage.
"Out of this situation arose the dispute
between the bicycle dealers association
and Mr.. Weese, the dealer at Winsen
above referred to, who, it appears, had
purchased a quantity of American cycles,
which he advertised for sale at 150 marks
(S35.7O each. Thereupon the association,
inspired presumably by the manufacturers
Union, attempted to call Mr.. Weese to ac-
count through an official letter, of which
the following is a translation
I'VE must absolutely protest against
your offering American machines at 115
and 150 marks (s27.37 and $'5.70), the trade
in German bicycles being severely dam
aged by this action. You do not dare to
say that an American wheel sold at such
prices can be compared with a reliable
German make. Therefore, if you do not
cease advertising in this way we shall pro-
ceed against you in proper way, first
through the trade papers. We leave 1t to
you to consider whether first-class Amer
lean wheel can be sold for $50 marks, and
whether this Is not sufficient ground for
bringing you before the courts for VIOLA
tiOn of the unfair competition law
ITO this threat Mr. Weese replied as fol-
lows:
ct am at a loss to understand your let
ter of January Z. Nearly all the bicycle
dealers whom you represent have Amerf-
can wheels besides their German makes.
How can you, therefore, abuse American
bicycles? 1 am buying my wheels where
l can get them best and cheapest. These
are all excellent American makes that
surpass the German-made wheels in every
respect. The prices of these cycles amount
to 120 marks ts2S56), free at Hamburg
and why should l not sell them for $50
marks ($351W? However, in case you are
representing the interests of the German
factories. which 7 must suppose, 1 beg to
inform you that no German factory Is up
to the mark, and that next year the firm
will probably establish a factory in Ger
many, with yearly output that will
k1 ock down, if they wish, the trade price
to 100 marks (s23.S0) and the selling price
to 100 marks (s3O9D. AS to the rest,
must deny you the right to interfere with
my private business, as this undoubtedly
falls under the unfair competition act
your statement that '.first-class American
machines cannot be had at $50 marks be-
ing an untruth.'
This correspondence was published in the
Radmarkt. an organ of the German cycle
trade, and has caused CONSERVATION in the
ranks of the manufacturers who now see
that their demand for a prohibitory duty
on American wheels. If granted, will only
have the effect of transferring to German
territory branch factories of the great
American manufacturers, who, by import
Ing from the United States their parts and
materials and putting them together in
this country with the cheap labor of Ger
man Workmen, under superintendent of
American expert foremen, will render the
competition more fatally aggressive than
ever before.
Hitherto the German cycle mapufactur-
ers have urged their government not to
assess higher duty on imported bicycIes
as such, but to classify them for duty un-
der paragraph 470 of the present law as
upholstered carriages. dutiable at $50 marks
tS5o.i iO) each, which would be- of course.
prchibitory This would require no new
legislation, but merely an administrative
cecision, giving to bicycles, which were not
an article of commerce when the law was
enacted and are not therefore specifically
mentioned therein, an arbitrary and unjust
under which each cvcie
would pay the same duty as four-wheeIed
AS this would apply to all i'm
ported bicycles-those of English and Bel
gian manufacture, as well as American
and thereby initiate against certain com
mercial treaties, the decision, notwith-
staIding the frantic protests Of the Ger
nan makers. las nOt yet been given.
Meanwhile, the leading American cycle
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES German trade form
ed an In pcrtant part of their business In
1897 and whose sagacious enterprise in
building up and sustaining this valuable
outlet for their surplus product may well
serve as an inspiring example to Ameri-
cans IN many other lines of trade-are
stocking their depots in this country with
full supplies for the incoming season and
are preparing to establish auxiliary fac
tories here whenever the prohibitory edict
may rail- Popular opinion. even in Ger
many, Is distinctly on the side of the Amer
lean manufacturers. whose products have
not only cheapened. but greatly improved,
the standard of excellence in bicycle con-
struction. whereas all the principal Ger
man makers have earned large incomes
from both their home and export trade
and are not therefore considered to be in
a strong position to demand new and ex-
traordinary protection"
Daniel swiney, United States consul at
Cork, reports regarding American cycles In
Ireland that the American bicycle-perhaps
the most widely known and appreciated ar
ticle of American manufacture-is making
an invasion Of the British markets and car
rying almost everything before 1t. In tins
district the American bicycle has a special
popularity. One sees more hIgh-grade
American wheels on the street than Eng
lish makes. The public are beginning to
fully understand the superior qualities. the
great advantages Of the United States ma
chine-its lightness. strength and easy rum
nirg.
A short time ago the impression prevail
ed that American wheels were too light for
Irish roads, and that the wooden rims used
were not. suitable for the damp climate.
I he public is no longer OF this opinion.
Not only have the light American machines
become popular. and their lasting qualities
and strength been proven, but British man
ufacturers have been compelled to butid
lighter machines to suit the public demand
Another feature which 10 liked In Ameri-
can machires II the longer crank and
higher gear. While the British machine has
q e-inch crank and 60-inch gear, the Amer
lean viii have q or 7A-inch crank ana
70-inch gear.
There are. however. several features la
American wheels which viii hardly becOms
pcpular-fhe single tube. cemented on the
tire. and the absence OF room for q gear
cass. United States manufacturers, consul