The times., 1898-10-02
Cash CIRCUIT CHASERS
In a Merry Mix-Up With Man.
aging MOgul Mott.
REFRACTORY RIDERS REBEL
Crack CycIers Conspire Against l..
A. w. Chairman-The Ambitions of
George Banker-NntionaI Cham
pionship TnbIe and Standing of
the MfddIe-Distance Riders.

The refractory cash-chasers Of the ma
donal circuit and Chairman Albert Mott
of the League Of American Wheelmen
racing board. have had their first clash.
Honors are even at the present time, each
side having scored a decisive blow. In
the first place, a few of the racing men,
evidently believing the advice of a fool
TO be better than no advice al ALL per-
mitted one Of their representatives to in
jUdiciOusly use his gift Of CAB TO such an
extent that summary action was taken by
the racing board. which resulted in the
suspension Of eight of the best-known
professionals in the country for training
on suspended track. This happened
just previous TO the Trenton national
circuit meet, which was scheduled for last
Monday, but which was postponed. The
thought Of escaping championship points
and large wads Of coin OF the realm which
had been offered for entertainment at
this meet. seemed to completely stun the
recaicitrants. and they hastened to the
Jersey capital where a pow-wow was
promptly held.
1t was firmly believed by the men who
had been suspended that the remaining
professionals would follow them into the
wilderness, but the flow Of eloduence
which iioated from the lips of their agi-
tators was not sufficient 10 win the sup
port of the other riders, who, seeing an
opportunity to increase their lead in the
percentage table. while adding materially
10 their eXchequer, remained true 10 the
governing body. and left their companions
IN the lurch Il was at this point, how
ever, that the racing men won their first
point.
Having been denied admission to the
track through their suspension, Mr.. Mott
evidently sympathizing with the promot-
ers who had advertised the appearance of
the stars who were subsequently sus-
pended, decided TO infiict a reasonable
sum for the offense Of training on sus-
pended track, but this was done only af-
ter proof had been obtained against a
number Of them on another and more
serious charge, which will later be
brought before the board for action. and
which Will, no doubt, prove a serious
matter TO the men involved. The pro-
moters of the race, in order to success
fully carry out their races, paid the fines
imposed and the men were permitted to
ride. This the racing men believed to be
signal victory for themselves.
The Next Move
II is now up TO the racing board again.
however, and probably before the week is
out these same men will be brought up on
more serious charges. These charges will
be based on the actions of the men who
attempted TO organize a conspiracy
against the League of American Wheel
men among the unsupported riders. If
., oh nd l.
every reason to believe that they will be
the same men who suffered the brief
suspension win again feel the heavy
hand of the racing law.
II is a significant fact however. that
the men who were suspended and who
worked most valiantly for their cause al
Trenton had the least success in the art
Of persuasion The men who had not
been suspended were not anxious TO suf-
fer in this manner. and there were abso-
lutely no recruits to the ranks Of the mall
contents from among the men in good
Standing. This shows very conclusively
that Il viii be a hard matter TO get men
10 follow the lead OF rhe small band who
have acted - unwisely during the past
few days. and whose efforts have been
devoted exclusively TO benefiting them
selves and not the cause which they rep
resfmt IL Is always unwise to talk too
AEt=AN anu Especially - AuiS true Wnen
he who does the talking shows so plainly
fhe weakness Of the cause he represents.
This has been manifest all during the
present trouble between the two parties.
The Racing Mems Claims.
The racing men claim that they have
been judged unwisely by the racing board:
shat the decisions rendered against them
have been in many cases positively un-
lust. They assert that the organization
with whom they will affiliate viii do bet
ter by them than the racing board Of the
present organization has done.
Taking the figures of the existing cham
pionship table and IT is seen that the
Leag1ie of American Wheelmen has fore
ed the promoters to give thirty-five
championship races. in which the first
prize in every case has been $50, with
other prizes for the next two or three
men. This represents in round figures,
$4,000 for which the thirty or forty men
have competed. Beside this, at each Ma
tional Circuit meet there have been
handicaps and open races, at which the
prizes have averaged $500 for the race.
This adds TO the list another $4,000, MAX
ing total of $4,000 at national circuit