The times., 1898-10-16
WHEELS and WHHELMEN
l. A. W. Determines to Con-
tinue Control of Racing.
A COMMITTEE APPOINTED
ITS Duty Will BE to Ascertain IL
There Is in Existence an Orgaps-
1ation Qualified to Properly Gov
ern the National Races-Lenru~
Factions United.

new York, Oct. 15.-The members of the
American Racing Cyclists Union-as in.
oividuals and coliectively-haye had their
hrst taste of outlawry. 1t came in ST
i-ouis' where unscrupulous promoters-of
winch there are many in this country
appreciating the opportunity that offered
Itself to defraud the racing men wifbout
Tear OF punishment from any governing
podS' enticed the rider to come to that
point where a two days meet was sched-
uled.
II was represented to the riders that
the big races would be run each day. but
when they arrived and came out on the
track to ride they had inkiing of the
TACT that the promoter expected to run
the trial heats only the first day, forcing
the men to remain over and ride the Sec
ohd day, which was Sunday. for the same
purses. This the men objected to. and
threatened to refuse to ride Here is
Nhere the beauties of outlawry again
came into notice, for the promoter saw
thiil IL there was no -diseiplining body for
himself, neither was there for the riders,
VINO might refuse TO ride and thus cause
MIN the loss Of all the money he had put
into the races
With persuasiveness that is character
lstic of professional sports" the man
ager finally consented to run the schedule
Oh on time and the men started, but they
soon saw that this was only a blind and
lne oHlcials, acting upon orders tarlied
so long that before II became time to run
tie nnals 1t was dark and the men could
not ride. The racers had walked neatly
into trap and there was nothing for
item to do but stay over smile at their
oup:icity, wonder at the beauties of un-
protection ana ride again for their moLey
on another day.
Several of the riders, notably Major
Taylor and Gardiner declined to ride on
Sunday and, of course, they had their
work for nothing. They sat in the grand
stand and saw the finals for which they
had qualified run with their rivals only
as starters.
This is the first gold brick of the sea-
son for the Ungoverned body, but as it
was only the second city in which they
had ridden you cannot very well call it
tardiness on the part of the professional
promoters in realizing their graft"
League VIII Continue Control.
At the last National Assembly of the
League of American Wheelmen the oppo-
ing by that organization succeeded in
having passed a resolution directing the
executive committee to make a thorough
investigation with the view of turning
over the government to another organi-
zation. They specifically directed that
the executive committee ascertain If
there is in existence an organization
qualified to take up the immense under
taking and to report at the next assem-
xS-hf will he nell n Providence
next February. This resolution has been
the cause of much uneasiness on the part
OF those within the league who are
heartily in favor of its continuing its
control. as it has been a well known
fact that President Potter is opposed to
the racing branch of the organization and
il has been feared that he would be able
TO persuade his colleagues on the execu-
tive committee to report against the rae
ing element.
Developments of the past week show
that not only Will Mr.. Potter not endeay-
or to so persuade the other members OF
the committee but will join them in max
ing an adverse report, which will be, in
effect, a recommendation that the league
continue its control.
This is looked upon as a great victory
for the adherents to racing. as 1t will re-
suit in solidifying the league against all
who would attempt to defy its rulings. 1t
is expected that the executive committee
will issue a notice within a very short
time announcing that it will so report,
and thus will the matter of the vexatious
resolution be ended.
Before the present outbreak upon the
part of the professional riders there was
every Indication that the executive COM
nittee would make a favorable report
upon this resolution, and that its support
ers would be able to secure the necessary
Il .s,-1@ Ia 1asagr To
relinquish its control, and thereby would
the riders. both amateur and professional,
have secured the change of control for
which they imagine they are suffering.
But the action of these riders has in
censed the league officials that the only
chance they ever had for securing other |
government has passed away
Now all league authorities declare that |
the organization will continue the gov |
ernnent Indefinitely and that its control |
will be stronger than ever, the rae |
ing board is receiving hundreds of let |
ters weekly bearing assurances that |
owners. riders and promoters are thor |
oughly in sympathy with the league and /
will do everything to support it. They
anticipate that the first of the new year
will see the outlawed riders completely
demoralized and making all kinds of |
promises for return to league protection.
Factions United.
One of the most noticeable features in |
connection with the attempt of the pro-
fessional riders TO conduct cycle races to
suit themselves in defiance of the League |
of American Wheelmen IS the wiping out |
OF factional lines among league MEM
bers and those who have in the past sup
ported and opposed it This is particu-
larry true of the newspapers. For sew
eral years of the leading papers of the
country have been extremely bitter in
their opposition TO the league control of
racing and their imitators have taken up
the battle. The attitude of many of |
these papers was due to personal griev-
ances of their cycling editors, who made
their papers the medium OF righting their
real or fancied wrongs. But the outbreak of
the professionals was resulted, singular
ly enough. in almost everyone of these
papers rallying TO the support of the
league and a matter of actual fact |
there Is not single newspaper of any |
consequence in this country which. is not |