The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-28
L. A. w. AND RACING.
Fight with Track Owners Is by No
Means Settled.

The situation with regard to the future
of the American Cyclists Racing Associa-
ton is becoming more complicated as the
season advances Most of the men in the
East are between two fires, and are sim
ply waiting for something to drop, either
on one side of the fence or the other Most
of them have no grievance and no prefer
ence IN the matter, but wish to be ON the
side OF the winner. and consequently will
not condemn either the l.. A. w or the
Cyclists Association.
Much Is expected of the meeting of. the
track owners. which is to be held during
the week Of the big six days meet at Madi-
soa-squage Garden in December 1t is
thought that at that time a decisive blow
win be struck from some one of the three
corners of the triangular line of battle.
The track owners can see their business
gradually being killed, and it Is thought
they viii be prepared to send out an ulti-
nahum TO both cs the racing combatants
exactly defining their position in the mat
ter and urging them to settle the matter in
some way that will not kill the sport for
the tracks. AL Reeves is one of the con-
servatives who have been watching the
fight without taking any part in it, and
the true position and feeling of the racing
men in New York can be accurately seen
from peruSal of 4 letter sent by him Oct.
g. In answer to a statement from this
city that the end of the Cyclists Associa-
DO not be too enthusiastic. Don't think
for minute that the movement is a has
been 1t may be. but TO my mind half of
the trouble has not been seen. 1t is merely
hull before storm, and understand the
storm will come during the six-day race
week, when the tracks hold a meeting i'm
this city. Collins rather backs the associa-
ton up. and so does Gideon. With New
York. Pennsylvania and Massachusetts in
favor of the l.. A. w. -eiinquishing control
of racing. l think you will find the l.. A w.
Will be glad TO give 1t UP next February.
OF course, some will be in favor Of fighting
rather than have it taken from them You
must understand that the move of the rae
ing mei' is only the first gun tone-pounders.
as II were), while the track owners es-
pecially those hereabouts Will handle the
fhirteen-inch guns when the time is ripe.
or course / may be mistaken in this. l
agree with a good many that the racing
men had little or no protest coming. The
race meet promoters were the ones who
should have the greatest grievance laid up
for the l.. A. w. ] believe that Uncle Jerry
Mott is one of the mast honest men I'm the
world Yet he is liable to make a mistake
as well as any one else l feel that he
should be dignifed when I'm office bur not
10 the extent of failing to notice an insur-
rection which had more or less foundation.
Especially is this true when the promoters
should be protected. At such times it is
necessary to forget dignity, take off your
coat and do something, for the first blow
is half the fight, as my school-boy days
ssAfter the American Cyclist Racing AS
ISOLATION lease to the Willow Grove track
expired Mott reinstated the track. That
established bad precedent Ambrose Park
is leased by Morgan, but the lease can be
broken Tomorrow Then I can take hold
Of the track and declare that the blacklist
must be raised. Then, again, the A. G.
r. A. can lease Madison-square Garden.
run outlaw races there, and after they have
finished their lease the garden company
can say. Here, we want this track rein
stated again and there Is ihe precedent
which i think would stand IN law. No mat
ter what else the A. &. r. A. has done. il
has to the best of my knowledge. paid IL
bills Yet Mott warned foreign riders. IN
his last bulletin. TO get their money befor,
libel suit could come uut OF that"