Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-08

has been practically under no Jurisdiction.
The ease with which road races may be
arranged, and the lack of restraint, have
opened the way for many evils, which have
brought this class of events into general
disrepute, and many have realized that a
crisis in this branch of cycling was already
reached. Road racing must either be for
mally forbidden, or some powerful body
must assume control of 1t.
At its meeting in January, the Century
Road Club of America, 1t is expected. will
undertake the control Of road racing and
manage it a plan similar to that by
which the League of American Wheelmen
exercises jurisdiction over track racing. A
majority of the influential members of the
Century Road Club are said to favor the
step, which will be the most momentous I'M
dertaking into which the big road club has
ever entered. The control of road racing
Will mean the establishment of u racing
committee OF powers similar to that Oh
the League of American Wheelmen ma
tonal racing board, the issuing of sane
lions for all road events, and the disci-
pline of participants in unsanctioned races,
and of offenders against road racing rules
The first vice president of the Century
Road Club in speaking Of the matter says:
We recognize that ii is critical period
for road racing. We must take charge
completely or the sport will meet with
sudden end. Although the plan is in en-
bryo as yet, l know it will pass, although,
in view of its extreme Importance, we
must proceed carefully, and build our
plans to endure for years. The fulfilment
of the plan will mean that no road races
may be given without sanctions obtained
from our body; that We will purify road
racing of the Objectionable features that
have dealt it almost mortal injury, and
that we will endeavor to maintain this
class of cycling on sportsmanlke basis.
Our work will be in cooperation with the
League of American Wheelmen, as of ne
cessity racers will come under the cogni-
zance of both organizations. Already our
reports and dealings have been accepted by
the League of American Wheelmen. and we
have recognized its rulings and measures"
Continuing further, the vice president stat
ed that female riders would not be allowed
in road racing, as might be inferred from
the position of the Century Road Club in
awarding medals to women making meri-
torious rides. He also said that century
riding and club runs would not come under
the jurisdiction of the club under the pro-
posed system.
George Dorntee, who was formerly the
chairman of the Massachusetts racing
beard after witnessing the annual Glou-
cester road race, announced himself in the
following strong terms: Il am more
strongly opposed to road racing than ever
before and a member of the Century
Read Club 1 shall do all in my power to
secure its early termination in Massachu
sets. l cannot understand why such a
monopoly of the public highways should
be Permitted. If wheelmen do not take
steps to cause its discontnuance then it
should be duty of the legislature to pass
a law forb1ding it.
"Whenever a road race is held a crowd is
sure to collect, and the bigger the event
the greater the number OF onlookers. At
temptS are generally made to keep specta-
&c rs within proper limits by means OF ropes.
but those who have been present en- such
occasions know how futile is such pre-
caution. The ropes sag under the pressure
of hundreds of pairs of hands and the
throng Of people is in no time out onto the
facccOGrSp. and cannot he prevailed uDCu to
make room Cor the riders. A strictly fair
race is impL sSible under such circum-
stances for the man who first strikes the
through the narrow space allotted him and
cross the tape ahead. There is no room for
those behind to pass him. and when sew
eral riders are punched for a close finish Il
smashup is more than likely. The number
of hairbreadth escapes goes to show what
might have happened"
There is considerably less danger in track
events than in road races The many meth
DDS adopted to keep a clear course at the
finish have always resulted in more or less
damage. either to the riders or those who
We're attempting to clear an open passage
way. The brutality is generally there. One
need not go outside of this city to find such
an Illustration. 1t is just such things as
this that kill the popularity of the events.
The spectators may he so deeply interest
ed in the finish that they may not think of
the matter at the time, and resent any t
tempt on what they regard as their rights.
If no more satisfactory arrangement can
be made it is better to give up road racing
altogether