New-York tribune., 1898-01-02
n THE CYCLING WORLD.
BICYCLE MANUFACTURERS EXPECT A
PROSPEROUS YEAR.
THE BOARD OF TRADE TO BE REoRoANIzEp-
THE SENTIMENT AS STRONG AS EVER AGAINST
CYCLE sr{ows-TALKs WITH PROMINENT
MAKERS AND DEALERS - CLUB
NOTES or INTEREsT-wHEEI.-

CYCLE sKows-TALKs WITH PROMINENT
MAKERS AND DEAIERe - CLUB
NOTES or INTEREsT--wHEEr-
ING COMMENTS
The condition OF the bicycle industry has been
discussed With much feeling In the last month
or two. The absence Of a bicycle show this win
ter has served to distract 10 a certain extent
the attention of the general public from things
cycling. but the majority OF makers seem TO
think that they made wise move in dlscontinu-
Ing the shows. and few OF them disposed TO
return TO them. 1t is also true that little has
been heard recently OF the dongs of the Board Of
Trade of Cycle Manufacturers. but that does
not mean. by any means. that the officials OF the
board have been idle. Careful research has
failed to show any emphatic discomfort among
the makers and dealers. and all are looking for
ward TO a prosperous season in 1898. They say
that the bicycle industry has become sub
stantial business. and that II will be conducted
business lines hereafter. While the local
dealers are not selling many bicycles just at this
time they say that their trade. never great az
this time Of the year is better than usual, and
that they have no fault to find with the condi-
tions they exist The manufacturer is not
asking his agents to accept any less discount
than has been the case In previous years. Stock
orders being placed and agency contracts
renewed much earlier this year than ever be-
fore which leads TO the belief that the agents in
the various parts OF the country have absolute
faith In a good trade In the coming season. The
failure Of few prominen; concerns during the
last week has not had any depressing effect
upon the trade at large. In the case OF the
Overman Company the prediction Ia made that
the concern will be doing business on as large a
scale In few DAYS. The manufacturers
generally are much interested In the meeting Of
the Board OF Trade which will be held in this
city. at the rooms Of the corporation. on January
1S and 10 There is a strong feeling that the
Board may be reorganized in It's entirety. The
stockholders will meet on January 10 and the
outcome of the session will be awaited with in
terest by the trade at large.
In former years at about this time bicycle
man lfacturers were making preparations for
the annual cycle shows. which were conducted
under the auspices OF the National Cycle Board
Of Trade and held in January or February. both
in Chicago and NeW-York. At the end Of the
last shows the members Of the Board Of Trade
agreed that no more exhibitions OF the kind
should be held sanctioned. This was decided
upon for business At the time the last
shows were held r. l.. Coleman wes the pres-
dent Of the National Cycle Board Of Trade In
discussing the present conditions Of trade re-
Gently, he said: THE Indications in all sections
Of the country are that trade will open up this
season much earlier than ever before and at
tribute this largely 10 the fact that no cycle
shows are to be held Heretofore dealers always
deferred renewing their agency contracts and
placing new models on view until after the
shows had been held. But this season they are
urging the prompt delivery Of samples. and they
are now making their annual announcements in
their local papers. The result is that th"ir
regular customers have been placing orders for
'9S models for several weeks past. II is gen
orally conceded that the cycle shows tended TO
retard rather than stimulate business They
We're conducted under enormous expense to the
exhibitors with no app~eciable returns. At the
shows not one visitor in a hundred did more
than glance casually at the various wheels on
exhibition: not one in a thousand understood the
mechanical improvements shown All interests
considered. II is extremely doubtful whether any
National shows will again be held in this COun-
try"
Elliott Mason, whose knowledge of general
cycling affairs is due to a careful study Of the
trade for many years takes hopeful view OF
the cycle situation. Those who are predicting
disaster and trouble for the bicycle maker don't
know what they are talking about" said Mr..
Mason yesterday. The condition of the trade
at large Is good the makers Of the standard
wheels will be kept busy. and those who follow
correct methods will continue to do a good busi-
ness. The demand for bicycles is just great
as ever and there is no reason why that demand
should not be supplied by those who do business
on business lines. When continue to sell
wheels when there is on the ground there
is no reason why we should think otherwise. The
talk about every body now having wheels won't
stand an argument. The army Of riders is
Increasing and the beginners at the academies
earnest ana numerous ever. When
the argument comes up that everybody has a
bicycle sou can say the same thing about hats.
Everybody wears a hat, but that is no reason
why the hatters should 20 out Of business A
man doesn't wear the same hat all his lifetime
and neither can NJ ride bicycle forever. Many
wheelmen regard their wheels as they do their
rip dagir 10 kalr with
the times. take no stock in talk about many
OF the makers having piles Of unsod wheels In
their factories and in storage If such was the
case somebody would find those wheels. and YOU
have not heard OF anybody doing If there
many '98 and '97 wheels unsold where are
they?'
j. Walter Spaldlng has watched the growth OF
sports In general. and he has given much atten-
ton to the bicycle business. While not a MEM
ber Of the Board Of Trade. his brother. Albert g.
is member, and was one Of the first presidents
Of the Board. While not member myself"
said j. w. Spading yesterday "it is my opinion !
that when the distribution Of the stock
made those who wished to do so could have pur-
chased stock II there is q disposition to reor-
ganize the Board on account OF the stock Ques-
ton know nothing about it. AS 1 understood
the matter those who purchased stock did so
voluntarily. expecting TO receive practical re-
turns for the money invested, there were TO |
be no dividends declared. AS 10 cycle shows, l |
have not changed my mind in regard TO the mat |
ter. The Board in discontinuing shows, made a |
wise move and can see no reason for chang |
ing the decision. The expenses TO the Tnanufact |
urer are out Of ali proportion TO the good he may
reap from the exhibition. And then the shows |
to certain extent. did demoraze business |
Shows were all right when the bicycle industry |
was In its infancy and they possibly served their
purpose well but they are not needed now. The |
bicycle industry is becoming Just like other bust
nesses. and more wheels will be sold each year |
The trade Is good. and will continue 10 be good
in my oninion. OF course lhere are nnsslhly