The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-25
CORNER ON PROFESSIONALS.


New l.. A. w. Racing Rules Seek to
Prevent This Thing.
The amendments to the racing rules
adopted at the February, meeting of the
General Assembly of the League of Ameri-
can Wheelmen, were pretty freely dis
cussed in the cycling papers at the time,
but there were some points which have
probably never been fully understood by
the general public. They are probably cap
able of more than one Interpretation and,
without knowing the intent, 1t might be
difficult for the small promoter to under
stand how they are to be applied. To make
them understood by all Chairman Mott, of
the racing board, has interpreted a few of
them in a circular letter sent this week
to the members of the board. The letter is
as follows:
I'm considering regulations for an athletic
sport, there are SO, many conflicting in
terests, and SO many special cases. that
certain features in the rules may not strike
an interested party as being to his partic-
ular advantage The rules must be made
for the whole United States-for the great
est good to the greatest number. The rules
are the result of a practical knowledge, in
dealing with the question from all direc-
tionS-that of the welfare of the sport gen.
orally, from the racing mans standpoint,
from the track owners standpoint from
the promoters standpoint and from the
must be harmoniZed as nearly as possible
and from the fortuitous circumstance of
having the evidence on record for 1897 and
dealing with it practically during the year,
that board has the best knowledge of what
is necessary, Any other seven men in the
same position would have had the oppor-
tunlty TO gain the same practical KnoWl-
edge
Below are some of the new rules and
their explanation; When a professional
makes an entry on, the regular blank seven
days prior to date of contest and thus en-
ables the promoter to advertise his attrac-
lions the professional may insert in the
entry the name of the wheel or tires he
rides and the promoter must then insert the
same, opposite his name on the score card
or programme. PROMOTERS are prohibited
from inserting. name of wheel or tires of
amateurs or of late entries
The rule is in, the interest of promoters,
racing men. the public, and encourages
plans, to professionals. Manufacturers
would be encouraged to hire pro
rscing men ea% additional Snf thus reveg gye
If spectators ~ are informed what
wheels or tires the men ride. Manufacturers
can make it a condition in their contracts
with racing men that their men shall en-
ter seven days prior to meet If they do
the men cannot hold back to the last mo-
inducement The promoter will have seven
days to advertise to the public his attrac-
tons. BY the operation of this rule it is
hoped the racing man will be given en-
ployment the. promoter will not be
squeezed. and there should be less tempta
ton and cleaner sport.
TRACK RULE
Tracks shall be measured on a line
drawn eighteen inches out from a well de-
fined, fixed and continuous inner curb or
pole; no record shall be allowed on track
otherwise measured A track may be held
responsible for any hnsanctioned races that
are run upon it,. or for the non-delivery
of prizes for races given upon it, and when
a track is disciplined for that or any other
reason it shall be ineligible for racing or
training purposes.
1T will be observed that a track NAV mot
shalD be held responsible for prizes at
discretion. That discretion has been found
necessary in the experience of the board
in very few cases where there seemed to
be collision and subterfuge used between
track owner and club or promoter to avoid
payment of prizes TO the racing men. In
a few cases track owners have rented their
tracks to parties whom they knew to be
irresponsible, making themselves safe by
requiring the rent in advance and being
morally certain that the racing men would
not get their prizes In such cases the
member of the board would exercise his
dicretion under the rule and hold the track
In other cases of default. where it was
shown that reasonable care had been used
by the track owner, the track would not
be held. In order TO protect the racing men
the board will use as much care as possible
not to issue sanctions to spectators who
are irresponsible and only depend upon the
gate, and track owners must cooperate
by using ordinary care in renting their
tracks. The issuing of a sanction and the
renting of a track has sometimes acted as
an assurance TO the racing men that they
were certain OF ting prizes they worked hard
for and won, and, indeed Ii should be a
reasonable assurance TO them.
SPECIAL PERMITS.
mo match race. exhibition or any other
event not described herein shall be run