New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-01

are thousands who did not get the chance and
there are many thousands who waiting for
settled weather to get out on the road Inc
conditions have furnished the calamity howlers
with an opportunity TO sound their tale or woe
and they have not been slow to take advantage
OF IT, 1t is surprising to some or the manu-
facturers that sometimes the howlers come
from sources which are supposed to protect ana
encourage the trade The officials or certain
trade publications seem to have been scared out
OF their wits at little rainy weather. and pos
sibIy the chance that some Of them may be called
upon to take up arms for their country. Inc
splendid trade experienced by the manufactur-
ers and dealers throughout the coun,ry uull ,
the fine weather Of March was pretty sure IN
dication that this would be a good year Tor
the wheel The subsequent bad weather mas
caused a slight dropping off in trade out 10
call II a slump is fudge and nonsense The
effect has been felt here more than In any other
section of the country. New-forKefs ooh
enjoy wheeling in chilling rains and mud ana
they will have none of il. In other places per
haps the people are not so careful. on the last
three Sundays the cyclists who were out III me
afternoon and rode any distance from their
homes were caught in heavy thunder-storms
and were thoroughly drencheG. All are hoping.
however. for'better weather In May. II 'helr
hopes are realized the number Of bicycles on
the roads and the happy faces or the dealers
and makers will make the calamity hoWiers take axe
10 the woods Some few makers have feIt
alarmed and have greatly curtailed their ad-
vertsing They will see their mistake later ana
the sensible maker VINO has courted punhci,y
right along will reap the profit which is de-
se1vedIy his Oficials Of the Board of Trade
Of Cycle Manufacturers say that they ma the
trade throughout the country prosperous ana
conservative They say that the large man
ufacturers are filling orders promptly ana yet
that there is no chance of an overproduction.
Theodore F. Merseles. we'll known in the
trade and in wheeling organizations generally,
is a man VINO keeps pretty we'll posted In cy-
Yesterday he was IN
a talking mood and he discussed the cycling
conditions with a precision that showed care
full thought and g. knowledge OF the question at
issue People are little excited and feVerish
lust now" he said. but that feeling VIII soon
wear off Within week or ten days we VIII
be able to determine pretty accurately what
will be the outcome Of the present difference
with Spain. But this war talk has not IN
tured the bicycle industry nearly 50 much as
the wretched weather we had during the month
Of April. Just give four or five days or
week of warm. sunshiny weather. and the ca
,.roitv howlers will be ashamed OF themselves
There has been no slump in the market ana
I find that the feeling OF depression IS more
local than IL is general l find that inns Ieei.h6
~ depression although 1t is not as great as mas
been said. extends practically within radlus
OF a hundred miles Of this city. we hau q
nbenomenal March and the trade was more
INA, encouraging all along the line. win CON
tinuous rain, mud. and cold and unseasohap.e
weather, the local trade. or course, zen On.
Then there was another thing which mas peeii
Sorpotten by some Of the manufacturers anu
dealers When that wonderful rush tor pi,
cycles came in March some or the makers anu
dealers were not ready for IT. Their supply Oh
wheels on hand in some cases was limited
and in consequence. purchasers were co1hpeiieu
to wait Then the disagreeable weather came
along and the intending purchasers propaoiy
decided TO wait until the clouds roIIed Dy
The reports we have from dealers throughout
the country continue to be decidedly encour-
saine, and all seem confident that they will do
better business this year than was the case IN
1897 The orders Of the majority or them are
ahead Of this time last year.
With pleasant weather to-day there promises
70 be a large turnout of riders. Many CLUBS
have arranged runs. and the thousands OF I'M
attached riders will be out in force. The ram
has. OF course put the dirt roads OF the sur
rounding country in bad condition, and washouts
are frequent on many OF the fine macadamized
roads OF nearby Naw-Jersey, Staten Island and
possible and as this Is an era OF good roads they
will probably be made without loss OF time.
One OF the finest roads Of the district is that one
on Long Island known the Merrick Road.
This thoroughfare has been the pride OF resi-
dents Of Long Island for several years. The
wheeImen delighted to take visiting friends over
this smooth and beautiful stretch Of road and
to listen. to their utterances Of admiration. Free
from troublesome hills and as smooth as the So
called "sandpapered" roads about Boston. the
Merrick showed q procession Of happy Wheel
men on pleasant holidays and Sundays such as
could be found In few other sections Of the