The Portland daily press., 1898-03-07

~ t4 ~
- sse.ig.sEsgliss
leading makes. The machines were all
narvels of the most recent ideas OF me-
chanical construction. and were brought
together without the slightest intimation
or knowledge to the manufacturers that
such test was to take place.
A question asked almost daily of every
cycle authority in the country is, (Which
is the best wheel?" and it was for the
purpose of answering it that the Western
journal arranged the most searching and
thorough test of bicycles ever made in
this country. 1t was indeed novel
move for this paper to make, and the
very fact that newspaper of the reputa-
tion of the Review would dare make an
Investigation of this nature is in itself
nroof that financial considerations or
advertising patronage did not enter into
it,
The practical experts composing the in
vestigating board gradually weeded the
machines down to small number, and
after several days of careful testing OF tbe
relative merits of the machines they were
unanimous in their verdict that the
Lowell Diamond
was undoubtedly the best wheel made,
and so reported to the paper, the president
the T p
Lowell Arms company informing the lat
ter of the investigation made and the de-
cision reached, and this was the first init
nation that the Lowell company had of
the matter.
The letter, together with the character
istic reply from Col Benjamin S. Lowell
are as follows:
Chicago, Feb. Is, 1898.
John P. Lowell Arms Co., Boston, Mass.
Gentlemen-Your esteemed favor OF the
/ It'll inst. to hand and contents noted
We thank you for your kind words OF ap-
probation. We mean just what we say,
Shat for careful and scientific construc.
ton and real practical value the Lovei
Diamond is undoubtedly the best wheel
made. In our investigation we examined
81 leading makes and we were satisfied
after most thorough tests that we were
justified in giving the palm to the "Dia-
mond."
Considering we were not influenced in
any way by financial considerations, not
even in the form of neutrality-suspicious.
you may rest assured that the decision
was unprecedented.
! Wishing you success in the coming
season, we are yours very truly,
WESTERN REVIEW OF COMMERCE.
George G. Carter, Editor
b. II.
1850 Boston, February II, 1898.
G Gorge G. Carter, President the Western
| Review of Commerce, Chicago, ILL.,.
Dear Sir-Your letter Of February re-
ce wed. In reply will say that we want
| to thank you for same and would also
say that this is the first time we ever
knew of paper of your class having the
courage to come right out and state a
| fact, and we want to say right here that
we don't think you have made any mis-
take, for the goods will back you up in
| The statement We are willing to stake
o ol1T business reputation Of over 81 years
that the Lowell Diamond is the best bicy-
Gle bnilt not only in this country, but In
any other.
with this article in, which you sent us
unsolicited and unknown to us, and in
your letter were kind enough to say that
| IN would be printed and that you asked
no advertisement, gifts or anything of
the kind. we should be pleased to have
Won send US few copies by mail
| Again thanking you for your kind let
fer and always wishing you the very best
| of success, we remain yours respectfully,
JOHN P. LOWELL ARMS co.
| Dictated by B. S. l..
The above investigation was the first of
ifs kind ever held in this country, and
was in fact sensational surprise to every
one connected with the cycling trade.
| The statement that the Lowell Diamond
;sthe best bicycle builb is based upon
the fact that every part of the machine is
made at their own factory.
Previous to and including 1896 the
,,achine bearing the name of the Lowell
diamond was manufactured for the Jno.
D Lowell Arms Co. by outside parties.
bnt beginning with the season of 1887
every part of every machine bearing their
name plate has been constructed at the
factory of the John P. Lowell Arms Co.,
q. South Portland, Maine. This fact
oosi1v accounts for the proven supremacy
- the "Loyell Diamond" over all other
leading makes of the world.
The editorial article of the Western
| paview of Commerce, Of Chicago, an
nouncing the result of its investigation
is appended;
10 thousands Of cyclists and hundreds
If dealers who are readers of this paper
the above subject VII, no doubt be OF
;,,+antion of this article to give glowing
dasoription OF the benefit to be derived