The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-02-19
Arrangements For One
All Completed
BY THE LOCAL DEALERS.
Each Will Have His New Model
Machines on Exhibition.
CHANGE FROM SHOW SYSTEM.

day, or opening day among the bicycle
dealers Cf this city. This is an entirely
new feature In Providence bicycle circles
although il is not entirely unknown in
other places. The rage for cycle shows
has died out. People get tired after a
while OF going 10 sse 80 or 40 different
kinds of wheels on exhibition in different
parts of large building. In most cases
10 meat simply TO pass from one booth
to another and take a hurried glance at
the different makes. At the most, one
can spend but = few moments in any one
place and most people go out from such
q show knowing no more about any
particular make than they did when they
went In.
Besides this. the makers and large
agepts soon discovered that 10 was not
an economical way OF displaying their
goods, and this fact alone was enough
TO settle the fate of the cycle show. 1t
cost large sums of money To get IN fin o
exhibit, and the dealers soon found that
the returns did not increase correspond
ingly, and an advertising medium that
does not bring returns is soon abandoned
by tho 1.-Two man OF today. IL mas been
understood right along that there would
be no cycle show here this SEASON, and
the question that was agitating the
IuluuS Vi tuo DlCyCir iich WdHt Wiob
we do to bring our '9S wheels to the front
early in the season.
Finally it was decided that the incest
ana most direct way would be TO have
an opening day, on which all tho dealers
would have their new nIodsis on exhibit
tion, and would devote the day to erter-
tanning their friends. In this way each
dealer will have special and favorable
opportunities TO show up his goods to
advantage, and to make whatever special
demonstrators be wishes to make. he
will also have batter facilities for or tor
taining his patrons and guests. 1t will DO
better for everybody.
Intending purchasers will have better
chance to look into the merits of each
make OF wheel and there will not be any
OF the cyowding and pushing that must
always be found whers there is n large
crowd In large hall. 1t is not intsn-
tiouaL but different people wish tn 60
in different directions and there IL diff
Guilty In getting by. In this wav each
dealer will get chancs to talk with peo-
pie who would not otherwise come into
his store at all, perhaps.
To make a thing OF this kind a success s
il was nece ssary nt the start to get the
concerted action Of all the leading dealers.
IL has been in the minds Of the leaders
IN che trade for long time aud It was
uttIuou uVOu uu - InettlUR OF tl0
dealers hsid last Monday. Al that meeting z
Mr.. w. q. Rankin, Of the firm of Viii.
iiams ~ Rankin and Mr.. Chester Camp
bsll, local manager vf the Heating wheel
were appointed committee to see the
trade and get the agreement Of the deal
ers and attend to the numerous details
that 60 to make the success of such an
affair. These two gentlemen have been
exceedingly busy this week putting the
thing into tangible shape, ana rs result
of tteir Efforts thtrs can ba no doubt that
the affair will bs a complete success. 1t
will probably be repeatsd In succeeding
years.
The various stores or at least some Of
them will be appropriately deQerated ON
the interior and sxteri,r and the day
will be somewhat In the nature OF q recsp-
ton. The taste OF each dealer will to
great extent stamp the character of each
exhibit AT some OF the stores souvenirs
Will be given To the guests who come i'm
during the day and each storekeeper will
vie with each ether in his forts 10 enter
tain. Altogether il prom ises to be very
pleasant occasion.
There are no doubt a great many people
in the city who are anxious 10 SEQ the
new chsinless wheels that several manu-
factureTs are going to put on the market
this coming season. and they will make
use nof this opportunity to inspect the
different kinds and get n line on the
prices. Then tbers are new gear cases
that will attract attention, and one will
have TO see all kinds In order to declare ~
preference. Zach make of % wheel will
have its special new features some of
which may be OF considerable import
ance.
The break In prices about the middle of
last season created stir that has not
bean forgotten yet, and h,tter or not
the day OF 800 wheels has passed will bs
seen when the '9s prices are announced
next saturday. 1t has been said by q
good many knowing ones that $75 will bs
the price for a hiRh-erade wheel this
season. But the dealers look wiss and
they undoubtedly have many surprises
up their sleeves. The cat will be let out
of the bag on Saturday, aud there will be
plenty of enthusiasts on hand TO see what
ne looks like when hs comes out.
1t Is not likely. how're, that the sur
prIses will all be coniin,d To wheels uI
prices. There is little doubt that thei
will be some sprung in regard TO tires.
The kangaroo. which was ridden with
great success by mapv prominent racers
last season. promises TO make quite +:
stir In tho trade this year. And then
| there are others.
This feature Of having a bicycle dav ha
existed In Boston with success for ,
| number Of years and mum Der OF othe
cities are contemplating the same Trims
AT the present. time There Ia an efYor
| being made te establish fixed da,
throughout the fountry for this event
and IL will probably svsntuslly bs accom-
Tlished. Wasaiugton's birthday, Feb
rusry p. has been psntiored as tn,
proper date.