The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-25

without a special permit Not more than
800 shall be involved in a professional
purse or prize without a special permit,
except in National Circuit meets. Race pro-
motors must not offer, nor riders demand or
accept, anything in excess of the prizes
promised by the entry blanks, score cards
or programmes. No bonus or appearance
money shall be offered or accepted. No prize
can be given in a trial heat, nor more than
four prizes in a scratch race or six prizes
in a handicap without special permit. Pro-
motors desiring to form teams for inter-
city races or for pacemaking will be per-
mitted by the chairman, at his discretion:
to employ a limited number of professional
racing men for a series OF months, upon
written contracts submitted for approval,
one copy OF which is to be hied with the
board
1.-The bonus rule is necessary to protect
promoters, and when the word promoter
is used it should be remembered that the
word does not refer only to a few rich pro-
motors in a few large cities, but comprises
bicycle clubs all over the United States
and many individuals in small cities ana
towns who are conducting bicycle racing as
a legitimate business enterprise fa T II Se
unreasonably held up and If they are they
can give no more race meets, and the &C.
oupd.1n oT U9 cn % Therefore the sn
terestS and welfare of the sport demand
that unreasonable extortion must be
checked Another object or the ponuS RUE
is to prevent the market on American riders
from being cornered by a few rich specu-
lators who could otherwise employ all the
star American r1QerS anu III tIelI SlCCu uS-
mand extortionate and even prohipltlve
prices for their appearance Inc poard
must look to the interest of the sport as
an athletic sport for all time, not SIMPLY
for one season Without the bonus rule,
ignorant greed would in the course OF time
kill bicycle racing almost entirely. Another
object of the rule is that in the interest OF
craftsmanship racirg man should nave
ali the incentive possible Incorporated III
the prize for which he contests, TO prlng
out his best effort-a thing that the spec
tator has paid contracted price 10 see.
If the racing man has a pockettul OF APP
pearance money, his efforts are dWarfed 70
that extent be it much or little; AT the
same time there is no objection TO giving
an occasional permit for an exhibition, with
the prize for it printed on the progrdpille,
so that the spectator can read the stoIy
of the true merits of all the other contests
on the programme.
1.-The dividing line between bonus e1
penses and appearance money and con-
tracts of track owners and promoters with
racing men for series of months is oeil-
cate one and must be handed wisely 40 10
racing game itself make 1t necessary lhaC
track owners and associations should nave
a certainty that there shall be traineo pace
ing in middle distance racing IS never so n'
and is always disappointing to spectators.
Contracting with racing men must IN eaea
fore be allowed to limited extent CWneEe
fhe privilege is not abused) to cradle track
owners to avail themselves of all the pos
sbe prodTStiVeness n or 10 Contract
With foreign racing men ad lib., as that
does not corner the American, racing mar
ket They are also permitted under the
rnIe only upon approval of the chairman,
to contract with a limited number of Amer,
lean racing men for pacemakers ana speclai
Features in racing; between them the men
must be free to enter at other meets When
thew are not actually engaged in the meets
of the track owners. The chairman musI
keep a firm grip on this delicate RUE anu
not hermit its abuse. No subterfuge to cor
ner the market will be permitted.