The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-03-20
al .heIr work as DO they al present.


The amount OF capital invested in the
manufacture OF bicycle tires in the
United States is estimated by an ex-
change at 10000. the number of per-
sons employed at 5000 and the number
Of tires produced annually at 100000.
There NAV no n rule I'm the future which
will greatly simplify matters with the
handlcappers OF this country. These OFF,
clals are at present compelled 10 pass
upon all entries for class race as a
part of their duties The rules provide
that n man who ras gained q. certain
time in n heat II ineligible for a class
race Of slower time. Reports Of races do
not give the times OF heats as a rule
and the Handicapped is at loss. Handi-
capper Batcheider of New York. doubts
whether a single Handicapped in the coun-
try has a correct list OF best times for
ali professional riders. The new rule
viii make the times of final heats only
count in the standing of a man and in
addition TO this. none but single or I'M
paced races will penalize man. Multi
cycle paced races are scarce anyway
vet the few that are run drive many
good men out OF their right classes.
GIVE ALL A SHOW.
With the large Increase in the number
az racing men there will have 20 come
in addition 20 the handicap racers where
all have a show, a set Of class races 10
give the slow men a chance. As II now Is,
one or two fast riders are able 10 give
their time and attention to training ana
20 from place to place and get all the
first and second prizes and the local tai
ent get only a few prizes in, the local
oh
man is able 70 ride out OF his class ne
should be put into the next class the
same as in horse races. This would cut
down the number Of those entering In
certain races to a reasonable number.
In several races here in 1897 there was
not room on the track TO give all a salts
factory start, many who would have
good show II only one heat had TO be-
run. could not stand the strain OF having
10 run the race in heats. 1 hope when
the race meets come here this season that
the Richmond committee VIII look into
this matter.
TANDEM RACES.
With the reduced prices on tandems
there will be many more in use this sea-
son and hope to see tandem races more
in favor with the public. so as TO add
some variety TO the meet.
A case Of interest TO bicycle riders is
now pending in the New York Supreme
Court. 1t IS an action brought by Eugene
c. Henke against the manufacturer and
seller Of one of the best known bicycles.
The suit is brought 10 recover $4,000
damages for injuries sustained under the
following circumstances:
.Henke who resides I'm Brooklyn, bought
a new 1897 wheel which had been guar
anteed 10 be perfect in all particulars.
While riding along Sixtieth street and
Fort Hamilton avenue, November Sth
last. the steering post OF the fork sud
denly broke, throwing him to the ground
and completely dlshguring mis- face. lie
retained Messrs. Alfred and Charles
Steckler as his counsel. and they brought
suit against the manufacturer and seller
Of the wheel, claiming that they were
liable under the guarantee that they
gave.
WHEEL NOTES.
Secretary T.. G.. Henry of the Cleve-
land Bicycle Mechanics Union, recently
stated that the amount Of labor needed
I'm the production OF a bicycle has been
reduced by machinery nearly one-third In
the last three years.
A German has invented n new method
OF testing the balls Cor use i'm ball bear
ings. in which the balls are rolled sing
~ down an inclined plane and drop on
a steel block. those which rebound over
an adjustable gauge into the box being
deemed Of the right quality for use.
The Paris Cab Company has placed an
order for 30 motors. once finished the
go new vehicles will be divided in two
parts, one for public use and the other
to be sold TO private individuals at the
uniform rate of 5000 per cab.
Twenty dollars is the maximum allow
ance which the dealers In New York city
have agreed TO offer customers DESTROYS
OF trading secondhand models provided
such machines are not regularly handled
by dealers.
There are too many nickeled pieces in
n bicycle. IS the refrain Of the winter
rider. The ideal machine should be ena-
meled all over. so that the prospect Of
being Obliged TO clean II completely on
the return shall not mar the pleasure OF