Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-26
RACING STATISTICS.

No one in the country is perhaps better
able to judge the extent of bicycle racing
| as well as the chairman of the racing
board of the League of American Wheel
men. This position, which is held by AL
| bert Mott of Baltimore. now entering upon
his second term, gives the incumbent prac-
tically the reins of bicycle racing all over
the country. The work of the Office has
been systematzed, and not a race meet
goes on without the chairman being aware
Of it. If it is meet sanctioned by his Of
flee it is all right; if not, the men who hap
pen to ride are punished with suspension,
while the promoters are placed on the
black list. For every sanction for race
meet return has to be made. This re-
turn consists of program of the meet,
with the contestants names all published,
and with the names and time of the win
ners plainly marked. The list of prizes is
also given. In this way the chairman of
the board is able to keep acquainted with
the movements of all of the racing men,
and regulate his work accordingly.
|. Accordingly the figures compiled by Mr..
Mott relative to bicycle racing ought to
prove interesting. These were read in con-
| nection with his annual report Last year
in all sections of the United States 2,9l2
race meets were held, with grand total
of 1916 races. This would mean that each
meet averaged six races. Some of course
had more and others less. The figures,
however, do not include the trial heats
which were necessary in majority OF
cases. If these trial heats were counted
the total number would be swelled nearly
double. In all of the races there were
1900 men who participated. 1t seems
strange that with such a large number OF
bicycle racers there is such small num-
Der of really good crack riders. The prizes
at all of these meets aggregated in value,
counting the cash for professional events
and the estimated valuation for amateur
prizes amounted to the big sum of
s1,645020.
From the other point of view at the
2,912 race meets there was an attendance,
in round numbers, of 100000. This would
make an average attendance of over 2,l0O
persons. While the average attendance at
the races in this city may not have reach
ed that number, yet there were many
other cities, especially up north, where
the average attendance figures were much
larger. 1t is estimated that these specta-
tors paid S3,60O,(O0 to witness the races,
which represents quite a neat sum- De-
Quoting the total value Of the prizes. which
is given as 81 ,645 020. there will be left
81 0S9. $50, which went to the race meet
promoters, after paying for all incidental
expenses.
'The sanction is the foundation of the
rules of discipline and the government of
bicycle racing" says Mr.. Mott. I'm such
vast interests as are controlled by the L.
A. W., extending over three millions of
square miles of territory, the power given
the league by the sanction is absolutely
necessary. 1t also protects the promoter
In effect, it takes the INSCRIPTIONS adj
venturer by the throat and says he shall
not fake the public throttle the legit-
innate enterprise of his neighbor. The
sanction Is not only necessary, but it is
wise measure in fostering this class of
recreation and entertainment for the pub
Hc-this taken with all other innocent en-
terta1nment being necessary to the health
and longevity of the over concentrated
business man and woman-inviting them to
relax and recuperate from the cares other
wise driving them to the long bourne.
And to this extent the world owes the
League of American Wheelmen a debt of
gratitude. In those other countries where
the sanction is not used, bicycle racing
has languished until the occupation Of the
promoter and racing man is almost gone
while in this vast country, under the I'M
limited but wise powers created by the
sanction rule. biclcle racing flourishes be-
yond any other method of entertainment.
There is no class of games, entertain
rent. recreation or sport in the civilized
world that flourishes to the extent of that
furnished by the wise fostering care of
this national assembly. 1t is beyond the
range Of experimental is fixed fact that
the details of your provisions for the gov
eminent of bicycle racing are almost per-
lection. Any tinkering or tampering with
1t would be experimental. and to that de-
gree dangerous. You cannot recognize
so much the real, enterprising capital
lists and business men, who have adopted
for it's remunerative properties this form
of entertaining the public since it has
been cleansed and populariZed by it's gov
eminent by the League of American
Wheelmen. 1t is safe to predict that these
vast Investments will continue as long as
the L. A. w. controls racing and might
eventually be withdrawn if the league
should ever decide to abandon it. The
control by the l.. A. w. without direct ne
cuniary profit invites public confidence to
an extent that could not be accomplished
in any other marrer, and this is as clear
to business foresight as 1t is to the ma
tional assembly.
1.-THE method of determining the pro-
fessional national champion is at fault
There are several of them for the wear
OF 1897, and in the future they should be
concentrated or consolidated. There should
be but one champion, and he should rep
resent the average of the best work for
the whole season at all sprinting distances
ana that representation should not de-
pend upon the temporary poor condition of
one man and the temporary exaltation of
another at one particular time In con-
sidering this matter the Importance of the
championships to the annual national meet
must not be dwarfed lost sight of To
harmonize all the conflicting interests and
yet adopt method by which the desired
OBJECT Will be attained with any degree
OF accuracy is a difficult matter The
nearest approach to 1t appears to he es
follows, and that method is recommended:
Ihe professional national championships
snail be determined by points. In granting
sanction for national circuit meets, require
that at least one national championship
race shall be run on each day of the meet
land as many other as desired by the pro-
moter). at any OF the distances named in
the championship rule. I. e., one-fourth.
one-third, One-half and five miles. In these
races the first prize must not be less than
SloO; Not more than 81 entrance fee shall
be charged (but even that to be waived IL
the promoter chccses), and no one shall
be allowed to start whose regular entry
made out on proper blank has not been
filed with the promoter in Compliance with
| the rues. When there are more than five
entries. trial heats shall be run until the
contestants are reduced to not more than
| five for the final. The first to finish in
the final shall count five in the cham
ptonship table, the next four. the next