The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-02-04
NEWS OF THE wHEELMEN.
n RACING BOARD MAN EXPLAINS
THE CALJFORNId SITUATION.


The secrssionists VIII Abandon tho Control or
Racing ir They Can Set Local Option and
Suspended Riders Are ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Men Talk OF Opposition TO Potter-NOtes.
Henry Goodman of Portland, Or, q member of
the National Racing Board of the l.. A. W., Is in
town. His territory embraces California, where
tho Sunday racing movement lie In progress. IN
talking with The SuN reporter yesterday lo
discussed the troubles on the coast as follows:
"Whon I went to the Northwest last spring
the racing conditions wcro very much mixed up.
In the north California division tho movement
in favor OF Sunday racing was at its height.
The AssociatcdC Cycling Clubs. embracing twenty
five clubs, had a membership of about 5000.
This organization controlled touring and road
racing, and when the L. A. w. refused to sanction
Sunday racing the Californians decided to take
up the government OF track racing. The Sun
day folks kept things lively at the start. While
they lacked material for racing they wero
sanguino that once started their riders would
increase. In spite OF all discourngemonts they
made n hard fight. I know that their list of
professional riders only numbered seven. and
that Otto Zieglcr. their star, stated that out of
seven lace meets in which he had competed.
winning five first prizes. his average winnings
amounted to about $3.50. Their purses wero
fictitious. as tho men rode on the percentage
plan. At Portland, where 1 was located. affairs
ran smoothly until the Californians started out
to secure recruits. In August the Associated
Clubs held a meet at Portland and lost $500.
Tho situation in the Northwest 10 just this.
The people are advocates OF sport and recrea-
ton on Sunday. and probably out Of the entire
population not moro than 10 per cent. would
take exception to races on that day. Racing in
that section at its best 10 crude. Tho distance
between towns is q big disadvantage. Take
Portland as a point. Our nearest town 10
i isSG miiss ,a and n ahsn SPOKANE swasi ss go Si fe%'i By p shi:
you Will readily see that AL racing In our sec
uDde % the @ ne al = fapv upe,gS io' eir SnH nj n a suo.
%cessful meet cannot be held because the patrons
Of racing win not pay more than % cents adj
Track racing is practically dead in California.
There are no professional riders available. and
individuals and associations are reluctant to
promote meets which turn out unprotitably. In
spite of all the conditions which exist against
new officers of tho Associated Clubs in California
declare that il the L. A. W. will grant local op,
tion to them and r~einstate all the riders placed
under suspension. they will agree to abandon
the control of racing"
The officers and members of the Illinois divi-
sion Of the L. A.. w. are perfecting plans to
meeting next week to defeat /. b. Potter for re-
election as President. Exception is taken to
claims are advanced that the Potter faction is
not disposed to extend a share of l., A. W.
e eided ao hold 10 caucus sns M Of Mestern d ie nas est to the ds,
National Assembly at Chicago. on next Tuesday
night. when plans will be discussed 70 place in
Sterling Elliott of Massachusetts, and some Of
the members OF the Pennsylvania division, 1t is
being Gin evident that George @Re Gideon Of Philadel.
phia vii! not oppose Potter, it is expected that
National Racing BOARD, will be chosen to run
against Potter. One of the Western delegates
to the Assembly explains the situation as fol-
"Had Potter allowed us to look after the
but they would have gone soiidly for him. We
had succeeded in harmonizing all discordant
s smoo e w ana b ssf tCot ths m %as s0,eR o %lfn q
our hands and arranged the, ticket to suit him
self. He has made a fatal error, l am afraid.
We can never consent to three of the best offices
going to the East. The Illinois delegates intend
to t1 meet to draw 9p a plan Of campaiIEIn i,o The 70
whatever action she may take. am not in
favor Of running candidates against Keenan, or
In the annual report of the Chairman of the
mendation is offered to aid in sending a team Of
American AT lear riders .g the internation raa, GShpnm IN Ion
Of 1899 should be held in North America, and
to attain that result IT is desirable that an early
invitation be sent to the International Cyclists
Association by the League of American Wheel.
men, the meet to take place either in Canada or
the United States"
The Crescent Wheelmen of Plainfeld. one of
the leading cycling organizations in, New Jersey, |
have become involved in financial difficulties. |
se cement yf frasR ss st P pha Gs5alan at a cost e OF sio. Soo.
This track will be sold to-day under foreclosure. |
city. The club Promoted Tournament Where
the leading amateurs and professionals rode.
The organization may disband.
Several candidates are In the field for L. A. w. |
Handicapped for New Jersey this year: Charles
Kireker, has come forward as an applicant for
the office. He intends to seek an appointment
Board. John Wetmore, Of Elizabeth. who has
filed the position satisfactorily for several
y near ans, rs Se esce1pro a rSaiPp"i e1ubs IN S Ihs TTeriaG
indorse Wetmore's candidacy, and l.. A.. w.
members feel that the latter's connection with
cycle racing and long service in the League will
result in his success.
A report was circulated yesterday that steps
may be taken to keep foreign pacing teams from
coming to America. 1t is well known that some
American racing promoters are contracting
with n crew of foreigners to ride in the middle.
distance paced races. 1t is held that those who
labor laws.
Tho indianapolis '9s Meet Club has decided to hold
the national meet from Aug. 9 to Aug. l3 inclusive.
These dates will DO submitted to the L. A. W. for In.
dorsenent.
A man prominent in l.. A. W. affairs stated yester-
day that In the recent INVESTIGATION OF the short track
case was not submitted to all the members OF the
The Dean Cycle CLUB OF Brooklyn has been admitted
to membership in the Associated Cycling Clubs of
The attendance at the great Austral wheel race last
December was q 900. Tho gate receipts amounted
to 81, $50, OF which the Melbourne Bicycle Club
cleared 5000.
The Triumph wheelmen have elected the following
officers: President, c. n. Pitcher; Vice President, A.
b. Erwin; Recording Secretary. d @. Flynn; finan.
cial Secretary, G. +. Huber; Treasurer. A. Curac; Cap
tain. II. W. Pest; Lieutenants, J, Farmer and j. p.
Collins; Color Bearers. W R~akowsky and s. Haegle,
Bugler, W. Tams; Governors-C. 7. S%taubach. w Bur.
ton. +. c. Topping. q. Burton. WI eaycraft. A, Run
KEEL. and II. @, Campbell.
whist.