New-York tribune., 1898-12-11

NEW
| bettermert Of highways and a meeting ~ the
interested ones will prove of value in further-
ing the cause
| Commissioner ~ Bridges John l.. shea !es'el-
day received a communication from Arthur
HOFFMAN secretary of the Associated Cycling
| Clubs inouiring as to the feasibility OF con-
structing bicycle paths the New-York ana
East River Bridge on the trestlework over the
! cable-car tracks Mr. Hoffman said in his letter
that some time ago Superintendent Martin saio
that this project would he pracucaoie anu
! asked II the Department would permit the con-
struction Of such paths by contributions from
the wheemen and wheelwomen Of the CITY
Commissioner Shea has communicated with
! Superintendent Martin relative TO the prac'lca-
! hility Of the plan, and also with Controller
Coler in regard TO the last part OF Mr. HOFFMAN
inquiry Should a favorable report be received
from the Superintendent and also from the Con-
troller. the Commissioner will take the matter
I'D The Controller said Yesterday however,
that he was opposed TO the carrying out Of any
public work such these cycle paths. by any
other means than by paying Tor them from the
public treasury
The cyclists OF Brooklyn DO not stop riding
their wheels simply because there happens 70 be
a little snow a fall in the temperature. In
less more snow falls to-day the chances
that many riders will be seen the popular
wheelways. Many OF the clubmen have been
pretty constant visitors Madison Square
Garden during the last week. and they Will take
this opportunity TO get into the open air and
cleanse their clothing from the foul smells which
prevailed at that resort during the six day
race. Most Of the asphalted streets running
north and south are in good condition for wheel
ing. but considerable is piled up In the
way and the brick hill are in good shape. and
riders can take the route outside OF Prospect
Park to the Cycle Path. There is more or less
snow and ice on the driveways in the Park
According to a rider who made the trip TO Coney
Island Friday. the Cycle Path Is In fair
shape most Of the way to the island. except at
the crossings. whore there is snow and Ice.
The name Of Thomas Stevens will he remem-
bered by many cyclists as that OF the man who
first rode a bicycle around the world. This feat
accomplished more than twelve years ago.
Stevens rode a ifty-nch bicycle. and 1t took him
nearly three years to accomplish his task. He
does not cycle now al all but is connected with
the theatrical profession. He acting man.
ager or the Royalty Theatre in London during
the Of The Chilli Widow" and married a
sister Of Miss Violet Vanbrugh. the actress.
At q meeting % the stockholders Of the Bevel
Gear Wheel Company last week the designations
OF the provisional officers and directors were ac-
cepted and the following directors we're
chosen. George II. Day r. Lindsay Coleman
Elliot Mason. Peter Duran and Shelton Parker
The directors then elected the following officers
President. George II. Day; vice president. Elliot
Mason and secretary-treasurer, Shelton Parker
An enthusiast on cycling recently declared
that every improvement noticeab ble in the cycling
world to be attributed to the influence Of
women He described how the feminine regard
for daintress had improved the general at
tractiveness ~ machines. to say nothing OF the
appearance Of the wheemen who accompanied
them their rides
The latest thing in gears Is the hydraulic cycle
gear. The power is transmitted through a pneu-
matte tube from the crank. which acts as a
force pump, The principle OF the hydraulic
press to geared hub. The inventor says that
a six-pOund pressure on tie pedals will transmit
power Of l4o pounds.
The Stanley ani National shows in London will
be followed in January by the Midland Cycle and
Motor Car Exhibition in Birmingham. This Is
the principal provincial show Of cycles and dur
ing the two years in which It has been held
something like one hundred thousand visitors
have attended it. The number Of provincial
cycle shows that will be held next year will be
small.
Boston's Cycle Board Of Trade has decided
after canvassing the situation that the margin
OF profit IN bicycles is too small and the expense
Of show too large to permit 1t to indulge In an
exhibition Of this kind this winter
The bearings of safety which require oiling
most frequently those Of the bottom bracket
and back-wheel hub, and don't altogether for
get the front wheel
The Philadelphia Cycle Board Of Trade has
finally fixed its show for the week OF February
1S to 25. 1t VIII be held in the 2d Regimen,
armOry. BROAD and Diamond SITS
The recent census OF cyclists in France. which
has been made for purposes OF taxation. shows
that there 3o3.Gi9 owners Of machines
The Cyclists Union in England has collected
500 10 fight the Great Northern Railway for
the purpose OF testing the right OF railway COM
panles to charge for cycles when accompanied
by passenger.
The Belgian Touring Club compels in its own
road rules al It's members to use a brake
Cyclists desiring 10 join the League Of Ameri-
can Wheelmen may obtain full printed nforma-
uOn and membership blanks by sending their
names and addresses 10 the Cycling Editor OF
The Tribune.
%
OLD TiNEPfECES EXHIBITED.
From The Jewellers Weekly.
\ noteworthy horological exhibition was recently
he'd III Berlin. Germany. One OF the oldest sun
CLOCKS III "Nistcnc"-thc wander star Of the Indian
plgrim-was shown II was purchased NJ the foot
Of the Hmalayas by Professor Reuloux from a
caravan on a pilgrimage 10 the city Of Benares
The staff is " he wood OF the palaca "A tree like
orr oak. and shows eight fiat sides in Sanscrit
he an rent months oT the year Of the piigrirnage
In order 10 determine n" time the bearer would
run throuen the STAFF sraH stick attached to il.
ana allow the ays OF Tie sun to fan upon IT, The
shadow would 81 w I'll" hour The age of this sun
cock Is estimated al TWO ihou.and wears Il he
longs 20 the German Museum Of HOrology in
Schramberg.
The exhibition conveyed a fair idea of Tho ovolu-
ton Of horolOGy. the old and wafer clocks and
the primitive sand and oil clocks reDresentinc fnc
childhood Of the art An interesting example is
the aforementioned clock. An oil lisnt similar 10
thos- in use TWO or three generations ago had
marked on ne I'll reservoir division Of the timo
b. nc.nok Inn. { -