The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-01-27
NEWS OF THE WHEELMEN.
sPECULATTTE RACE PROMOTERS
- cRoWDING OUT THE CLUBS.

The increased interest In bicycle racing IL fur
nishing some complicated problems for the
L. A. w. to solve at tho annual meeting next
month. The League assumes to control both
amateur and professional riders throughout the
United States, but some Of its Oldest members
frankly predict that. unless a reorganization Of
its racing government Ia brought about, the con-
troll Of the sport will pass out of its hands. The
national officers Of tho League characterize the
racing department as one Of the least i'm.
portant in tho organization, in spite of the
fact that IL Ia one OF the few self
supporting sections Of the League, and
that IL keeps the organization constantly in
touch with the public. wheolmen who have
been watching the movements of the racing and
track associations and the professional riders.
express the belief that the combination is be-
coming too strong for the L. A. w. 1t develops
that tho racing associations are controlling oil
the big American riders and placing them under
contract to ride exclusively at meets promoted
under their auspices. 0vcrtures have also
been made to foreign riders on the same plan.
Tho idea is for the racing associations
to get a corner" on tho big riders and hold
them for their own race meets, to the disadvan-
tage of the club promoters and to the general
dctriment Of the sport. 1t 10 proposed to pay
weekly retainers to the mon and match them
in races for big purses at different intervals
throughout tho season. 1t was reported yestcr-
day that one association has Michael, Chase.
Linton, Taylor. Huret, and Staubach under con-
tract for this year. A cycle track syndicate
sent o representative abroad last week to en-
gage half a dozen Of the best foreign riders who
would consent to como to this country and
rldo exclusively at one track. II is expected
that the action Of the race promoters in adopt
ing means to secure q monopoly of the big racers
will seriously affect tho general racing interests.
II the L. A.W. countenances two or three associ-
atoms controlling all the star riders, the promo.
to- . Of racing viii in al probability pass sc, out to, Of
The clubs are naturally rebellious at the con.
time Sis'en the b Af League ens sh SasiE 't tsEo s e%as Il stand / nit e
govern racing on %stricter lines and to protect
be on the decline in Paris. owing to its promo.
tion ~ associations formed purely to run the
other Objectionable feature, that confronts
81 ss0 the Stu0s Pac fhas H Hsnr i wh Tie II fnd IS eSntrs'
ry to the League rules for riders 70 OK.
n meets sp HE IeaSin er %en on rrU The se eiren tiHtr l rsui Rea n
are charged with this offence. The big riders
make 1t 2 practice to promise to ride at a fxsd
club offers some financial inducement. 1t is
said that a leading club in this city Yves forced
their appearance at races last year. 1t is a
matter OF record that the big riders formed q
combination last season to boycott the National
eventually weakened and rode at both meets, but
Il Er ss exsde sest rahs .hS %h nefn To who Ss k spve ub been
identified with the racing interests in this coun-
regulations for the proper conduct of the sport
Is imperative; Since the retirement Of II. E.
RAYMOND o and I'd. George nsn,gS .; Gideon from n. the ms an
1t has been q matter OF comment that the racing
department is not conducted on lines strict
riders and the recognition Of the racing associa-
tions.
Attention was called by THE Sun on Tuesday
to the trouble likely to arise from the award Of
consequence the bicycle clubs are greatly dis
turbed over the situation. Among the local
clubs thai propose to hold race meets are the
BrooiIyn Wheelmens 'Tnese Clubs i realizing
the demand that has been made by track as
f to what re eoe PTme The .o I. 1H' y. a WiiI u accord to to
the cycling clubs. The situation has been
m mtas'y feel s1S0u tsss t t1ouS Ss'h; VIII ind r 1Ssi1 '' un:
. preference for the bona nde bicycle clubs in
verdict that bicycle clubs whose interests are
devoted to the promotion Of general cycling
are more deserving Of recognition than asso-
Citations promoting races as a business enter,
prise; The L 4. ". officials in this state win
Claims en i'm P Of tSe ei bieyye Ie S Clubs to op eSe S r. PtiEsssn'R ane
ing. Board for consideration in priority to the
claims OF race associations.
The amendment to be offered at the annual
meeting Of The L. A. w. providing for the crea-
yoking considerable discussion among the big
divisions. The idea has received strong indorse.
ment, but objection Is raised to some Of tho re-
new law will make riders between the ages of
IL and ID years eligible to the Junior class pro-
v uiaed m nens sheif Of Pf the /. % or e. Sa"F 4 Is p SGs 5esi
to eD, grant League privileges to the juniors
~jections, Mr.. Clarke Of Staten Island, who origi-
mated the idea Of a junior membership. says
juniors whose parents or guardians are members
OF the League Is framed with the object of In.
conduct. He afirms that the features esu OF the
membership that are criticised have been In
with the object of keeping a close
watch on the junior members.
The Racing Board of the L. A. w. will have to
6rosessIo ms lr racss tbia y on the o. y siso tS Of Primes Primes IN
ceiied.
The competition among race promoters this
year will be keen, and racing men will naturally
meets where the most liberal purses
Grafton a raise in prize values to $3.50 for frsts,
for seconds, and .$75 for thirds. Tho limit
on the value of prizes Is now 800. according, to
only be offered by special sanction;
This sanction was granted Unfortunately
last year, and the race promoters are planning
to go ahead and arrange for purses In excess OF
the 1. A. w. rules regardless of any steps that
the League may have in contemplation.
Chairman Mott of tho L.. A. W. Racing Board
issued the following bulletin yesterday:
The Crescent wheelmen, Plainheld. will be refused
pending the settlement Of certain claims.
For failure to return q prize after repeated notice
To SG s sad Il road u; m s.eiaR to a5 5sn. 70 a. i i ssI as q rale tfs on
all l. A. W. tracks IN any capacity.
Pa" and upon NJ. l.. vanderslice. Philadet.
phia, has expired.
suspended Pending OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Delsem,
Permanent suspension-By the Irish Cyclists Asso-
p; Ward, q. Rainey. II. n. Jackson. r. Nc
Gam. ]. Mccormick. A. A. Stewart, W. Y. Clokey,
H. Z. Carter, Belfast. Ireland. ali members OF the
proclaimed Irish Cyclists Union.
NOTES.
The Berkeley Association, which intends 20 build q
cycle track at tho Berkeley oval. is planning TO
a country clubhouse for riders on the
grounds at Morris Heights.
PATTERSON, Jan, 26.-C. Frank Rireker OF Paterson.
Chief Consul OF the New Jersey division OF the /. A,
this afternoon announced the following commit.
tee appointments for the ensuing year: Transports.
tion-Frank Eveland. Jersey City V. !. Meyer. Ho-
Samuel Hathaway, Jersey City. Racing