The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-17
TACKs IN A BICYCLE PATH.
Ingenious Continuance by which the Foes
of Tires We're Removed,

of Tires We're Removed.
BINGHAMToN, Sept 10 For the frst month
after the new bicycle cnder path between this
city and Union was opened the bicycle dealers
here did rushing business in tires, The number
OF punctures ran into the hundreds and the strange
thing about il was that the new path was supposed
TO be perfect riding ground thousands of dollars
having tsen expended by tho county 10 make 1t
the finest path in the State. II was noticed that
almost all the punctures were caused on tho first
200 yards of the path, but an inspection OF this
section failed to reveal the cause OF Il Riders
became superstitious about it, and for nearly two
weeks have been using tho dusty roadway in
stead Of the cnder path for the first quarter OF
mile OF the trip TO Union. The mystery was re-
vealed in peculiar way and the trouble remov ed
by remarkable contrivance, hastily invented
by Frank j. Root an amateur electrician and
enthusiastic wheelman Of this city.
EX-Alderman Brandt has been using the cinder
path great deal lately getting in trim for weeks
trip through the Catsks. Before starting on his
tour he made a careful examination OF his wheel
In tho front tire he found seven tiny tacks, SO
small that they could scarcely DO seen. They
hadn't punctured the tire. but the mystery of tho
many punctures along the cinder path was re-
vealcd at once Mr. Brandt reported the matter 70
W. II. Hecox Of the State Side Path Commission,
with magnifying glasses to clear the path OF taca
The men worked one whole day and only collected
nine tacka They reported that II was utterly
impossible TO see the tacks, with the glasses
They wePe so small and so much like the cinders
in color that they could not be detected A shoe
factory at Lestershire had furnished the cinders
for the hrst quarter Of mile Of the path. and when
the head Of the factory was questioned about tho
matter, ho admitted that there were probably
thousands Of the tacks In the cinders Tho matter
had mover occurred to him before. he said. and he
generously offered to share with the county the
expense Of laying fresh cindcrs
Apparently there was no other course 10 take,
but In the emergency Mr. Root came forward
and said no thought he could get every tack out
OF tho path in one morning without removing
cinder Commissioner Hcco1 was skeptcal.
but told Mr.. Root to go ahead Mr. Root made
a framework OF wood about three feet square,
fitted 1t with rollers and a long handle, SO that
1t could be operated like a carpet sweeper, and
then placed six large and powerful magnets in
1t The magnets arranged that they
would almost scrape the ground when the mo-
chine was operated. With this simple contriv-
ance Mr. Root started TO work the dangerous
end OF the cinder path He hadn't done ten
yards before his magnets were so covered with
lacks that he had 70 clean them of. Before he
had finished the work he had 10 scrape his magnets
nearly fifty times, and when he was through no
had filled quart can to overlooking with tho
wickedest looking lot OF tacks and sharp pointed
scraps Of metal that ever decorated q cycle path
AS a precaution Mr. Root went over the path
several times. but got nothing after tho hrst trip
There hasn't been o puncture along the cinder
path dnce. and moro grateful whselmen than
those Of Broome county It would be hard to find