The times., 1898-10-09
rs dixie Hines Sees IT
Gives His. Views on the Re-
bellion Against the L. A. W.
DISASTER FOR OUTLAWS
The New Movement Attracts Atten-
tion Because 1t Is IA Novelty Now
VIII Soon show Its Wor.h-Its
Power VIII Surely Draw Some of
the Fastest Riders in the World
Upon the Rocks of Destruction.

New York, Oct. S.-The past week has
seen many developments in the cycling
racing situation, and it must candidly be
said that the position of the racing men
who have endeaYored to capture control
of the sport is now showing itself to be
much weaker than these misguided
youths would have the general public be-
iieve. Another feature which made itself
apparent was a further demonstration of
the power. or alleged power. which is
surely drawing some of the fastest bicy-
Gle riders in the world upon the rocks
of destruction. This demonstration was
not wholly unexpected by those who care
fully follow the sport, but IL is looked
upon as another evidence of the lack Of
executive ability in the ranks of the rid
ers and those who are supporting them
for what there may be in it.
Two weeks ago the movement of the
racing men was a new thing, and, as is
usual with novelties, ii attracted atten-
ton. 1t was aided in this by press work
colored to hide any defects which might
become apparent. But now the first en-
thusiasm and astonishment is worn off
| and the movement is beginning to show
what it is worth. When the first move
was made il was stated by the leaders
that they would have no trouble In get
ting nearly, if not ALL of the track own
ers with them, and that there would be,
| In consequence, meets all over the coun-
try and at all times. This has now been
proven false, as only less than half a
dozen, and these of minor consequence,
| have offered TO support the riders, and
even these are situated AT widely scatter
ed places. The only meet of the future
which will amount 10 anything for the
| riders Will be held at St Louis today,
and after that the riders expect to contin-
ue their trip to the Pacific Coast, which
never has and never will properly support
| cycle racing, because there is not a man
in that locality capable of honestly gov
! erning it who takes any interest in the
sport. II may be that this trip will have
! a great deal TO do with the settlement
| Of the American Cycle Racers Union, the
hyphalutin' title of the riders. as It is
safe TO say that if they even get as far
as California not more than four of them
viii return, unless they walk
The First Outlaw Meet.
The first move made by the riders after
| the fining at Trenton was at Washington
! last Saturday when the first outlaw meet
was held on track which has not the
/ best of regulations and the riders received
! their first douche of cold water at the
/ inaugural. There was not enough people
| in attendance TO keep each other in a
good humor.
1t was at this meet that the band of
fakirs, who are urging the riders on,
again showed their identity This was in
the person Of the referee. a one time
league official, who though not an actual
member Of the association, acted as clerk
| of the course for the malodorous six
| days races and. who is as close to the
ex-handicapper who lost his position be-
| cause the association built a track in
| tended 10 swindle the public, as two
epeas II is this class Of men who are
| giving moral support to the riders and
the public knows it too well to support
a movement with such backing.
1t is apparent now that the riders have
shot their bolt and it fell short, for they
have caused the defeat of the only pro-
position by which they could possibly get
away from the magnificent control of the
League of American Wheelmen-by the
league relinquishing it voluntarily. 1t
was almost certain before this move
| ment that the league would vote to dis
continue control at its next assembly,
which will be held in February but the
action of the racing men in attempting
to defy the organization that they may
run races to suit themselves has so in
| creased those who were in favor of that
proposition that they are now ardent
supporters of the advocates of continued
control
II is now fact that the league will con-
tinue the government of the sport as
heretofore and after the riders realize
| that they have been coached by parties
who have been identified with the most
! unsportsmaniike, not to say dishonest.
athletic sports that have ever been held
in this or any other country, and that
| they are being used tools for the pur-
poses of these men, who are using them
for what can be made out of them, they
will be only too happy to come back to
the league and beg forgiveness. That time
will come before the Winter is over. 1t
will only be necessary for the riders to
have a few meets conducted. from which
they will not secure their prizes, and they
will have only to be swind!ed few times,
when they will realize that they have
made very serious mistake.
In the meantime the racing board of the
league laughs at the absurdity of the log
ic of the racing men.
Case of Supposition.