The times., 1898-11-20


Candidates for the siy Dny "Grind."
Ifsthe proposed six days race is given
and the proposition is used advisedly-
it will be noted for its lack of prominent
contestants this year. 1t is true that
Teddy Hale Is reported on the way across
the Atlantic, followed by Fredeiicks,
JoyeuX, 'OHalloran. and one or two
others whose fame has not spread beyond
their own narrow confines, but the Est
is not nearly so bright as the one of .ast
year. This means, If it means anything
at all, that the riders who generally take
part in these races are beginning to
realize the depravity of such contests AMI
have decided to stay out.
1t was expected that the race would be
prohibited this year by municipal ordin-
ance. and there was every reason in the
world to believe that such an ordinance
| which was so earnestly supported by the
intelligent sportsmen and humanitarians
of New York would pass. but unfortun-
ateiy New York. like other centers, IS
accursed with a combination of old maids
known as the Local Consulate. This al
| legged consulate, after all arrangements
for the presentation of the ordinance had
been made. like the mischievous and pry-
ing monkey. placed their paw into the af
fair and with this stamp of failure every
one else drew out, and now it promises to
die natural death as all other meas
ures promoted by this body has done in
the past.
!. The fact that the ordinance fails to pass
this year does not lessen the fact that
some such steps should be taken to pre-
vent this degrading spectacle. Every one
except those financially interested, con-
cedes this fact, and those interested are
not unlike the ancient Jew who dealt in
human flesh. From this source nothing
of an elevating is to be expected,
consequently, their determination to
again infict degrading struggle upon
the public does not come as surprise.
Concerning the possible winner of this
race, if by a stretch of imagination 1t
may be declared a race, Charlie Miller
stands the best chance. He is husky
young German, well drilled in the art
of withstanding every law of nature
which demands that a certain amount of
rest shall be taken, and altogether the
most likely candidate John Lawson, who
is under the management of the veteran,
Albert Shock, who declares that he has
ridden his last six days race, is an
other likely youngster. Both these men
are Americans. and to the patriotic this
may be some satisfaction.
The RecOrd-BrenEing Season.
Major Taylor has again demonstrated
his ability TO create a sensation in the
cycling world. His recent record break
ing attempts at Philadelphia have won
for him world wide renown as he has
broken the most coveted record now on
the books, the mile paced, flying start.
For many years America held this rec
ord. 1t was not until last year that
Great Britain took the honor away from
America, but it did not remain in for
eign countries very long, for American
riders made another effort to break it aid
succeeded. Then England had another
chance to break it. and Stocks succeeded
only to give way to Taylore, the French
man, who succeeded in breaking the rec
ord in America with the aid of American
pacemakers and packing machines. This
I was, to an extent, gratifying to the
American lovers of cycle speed, but the
fact that 1t was not an American that
held the record, stimulated the intense
/ partisans to hope that it would be re-
claimed by a native, and Major Taylor
has gratified these hopes.
America now holds, through her own
riders. the most valuable records on the
I books. TayIors mile and Elkes' hour
record are among the number. In compe-
tition, America holds every record up to
fifty miles and before the close of the
season she will also hold nearly all, if
not the complete list. of against time rec
orus, for Eddie McDuffie one of the most
! successful record breakers in the world.
is yet to have chance to demonstrate
| his ability to lower the existing times.
| and declares that before he ceases his
| efforts he will possess the mile record and
it will be brought to l:30 at least. If
this is done, the season of 1895 will close
! with a blaze of glory from a sporting
and spectacular standpoint, in direct con-
trast with the miserable failure from a
| financial point of view.
A Fake Record.
| Speaking of Taylors records reminds
the writer of one of the most prominent
records that graced the official books
year ago. but which has been broken
since; not that there is any similarity in
| TayIor's records or the way they are
| made but because both We're made in
regular trials. The record referred to was
made in a Western city, by rider who
! has been more or less prominent this year.
| He had coveted the mark for a certain
distance for long time, and made elab-
crate preparations to secure it, though as
| arranged it was not necessary. Appear
ances, however, had to be there, and the
| elaborate preparations were for the pur-
pose of furnishing the appearances. He
got the record and made such time that
he was heralded one of the greatest
riders of the day, and the way he did
was as follows: Three men We're select
ed as timers, because of their social stand
| ing, who did not know the first principles
of timing a record trial and did not even
know the size of the track so green were
they in the business. But they were well
known men, so knowledge of bicycle rae
ing was unnecessary. They We're instruct
ed that a pistol would be fired at the
start, when their watches snould also be
started and another report would be
given at the finish, when they were to
stop the watches. They carried out in
structions implicitly, but the pistol was
fired at the start after the rider had gone
many yards beyond the starting point.
and, again, was fired before the rider
entered the homestretch for the finish.
The elapsed time was the record, but the
rider was several hundred yards short of
the required distance. The racing board
passed the record on the reputation of the
! timers.
Popularity of Auto-M0bil:sm
If cycling is deteriorating in Popularity
its place will Immediately be taken by
its direct offspring-the autom ,bile This
sport has already won great popularity
in foreign countries, notably rance and
England, and Americans look forward to
this as the next fad" or c1aZe, as it
may be termed. Already there are a
number of leading manufacturers in this
country who have begun to manufacture
this style of machine, and, like the bicy-
| Gle in its infancy. it is used principally
1 r.