The times., 1898-11-06

the racing board" of the riders had any
strength they would soon have the cy-
Gle racing situation of this country in a
lovely fix, for what with the league sus-
pending men for riding against the out
laws and the outlaws suspending these
who ride under league auspices there
would not be rider in good standing in
the counsry. But as they have no
strength whatever the threats they make
are really funny. They are particularly
amusing to the riders threatened, for
none know better the Stiffness of the
riders movement than the riders them
selves.
There is one redeeming feature about
the humor emanating from the riders
headquarters, and that is that wheeimen
will have something to amuse them DUR
ing the winter. that is IL the pawnbroker
can devise more of his comic opera ideas.
Mystery Surrounds Support.
Another funny thing about the support
ers of the twenty-six outlaws is the all
of mystery which surrounds them They
stand in the paths of newspaper report
ers in the hope that they will be inter-
viewed on their pet scheme. and when a
reporter. taking pity on them, asks them
for the latest information he is regaled
with all kinds of stories about a mys-
terious sympathy with the movement
which will play havoc with the League OF
American Wheelmen some day. This is
the latest development of their attempt
to keep up appearances. though they dc
it so seriously that reporters are inclined
to pass it over as a form of temporary
insanity instead of as a joke. When these
agitators cannot persuade newspaper
men that they really have some backing
they resort to abuse of league officials
For that there is some excuse, for II
was league officials who turned out the
ringleader of the outlaw supporters from
a lucrative official position because he
was in a promoting company which made
riders secure records galore on a tracl
which measured nearly 300 feet short IL
a mile. That particular man has no love
for the league nor its present officials
because of this. and of late he has beer
persistent in his abuse of them. Bu-
while he may have been prominent
league official at one time his record i:
against him. and he is no longer consid
cred fit critic. He it was who had
sufficient influence with Eddie Bald tc
induce the champion to revolt. and Eddie
in turn, secured the others of the .26'
A Secret Out.
This man has shown. in the last week,
how far reaching are his schemes for Sc
curing control of the sport, in which he
has reached the limit. by declaring to a
Buffalo paper that within u short time
the promoting company of which he is
a member will control professional rae
ing in this country. This is the company
which conducts siS-day grinds and
which has as individual members Billy
Brady, Jim Kennedy and Pat Powers.
These are the men who are to have con-
troll of the professional cycle racing of
the country according to the other men,
Der of the concern. 1t is unnecessary to
say how the riders would fare in such a
case. However, his assertion goes to
show what would become or the sport
If spectators were allowed to control it
as they wish. But they will not for a
long time to come, at least, for there
has been remarkable rally In the ranks
of the League leaders and when the an
nual assembly meets the League of Amer
lean Wheelmen Racing Board will be
assured of the full support OF ,ne organ
ization.
Jimmy's Aspirations aS n Jockey.
Jimmy Michael and Dave Shafter have
separated. Shafter has settled, or will set
tie, at Hammond. Ind. his home, in the
capacity of a boniface, while the diminu-
ferent kind of steed. He is now at Nash
Vile. but will report at New Orleans
within few weeks and really make his
debut at this place. He has purchased a
stable, consisting of one nag. with pros
his career, which he hopes will outrivaI
not only Tod Sloan, but the Dwyers as
well.
81 shall own my own stable in the name
of my manager he declares in an of
fetal interview, because / believe that
this is best. II l should engage my sery-
ices to an owner and not make particu-
larry brilliant entree it would be difficult
for me to outlive my first mistake If |
own my own horses, however, / am sure
to make success, because / would have
double incentive" Then, in order to
prepare "a soft spot on which to fall In
case it becomes Necessary. he continues:
II have not given up bicycle riding. how
ever. ! shall continue to ride next sea-
son If the bicycle game looks more pros
porous than -4orse racing
The loss of Michael from the bicycle
track would be a severe one, as he has
been the central figure in middle-distance
racing since that style of sport became
popular, and through his instrumentality
as well as personality, it has become one
of the most popular sports patronized by
Americans. His ambition to become a
jockey was caused by the good-natured
'jolliers' who famed his ambition by
predicting wonderful success in that d.
rection. IT was due to sensational yell
low journal story that predicted in such
brilliant terms his success as. a Jockey
If he should adopt that calling that gave