The Anaconda standard., 1899-11-18

1
| should not reach the required speed
! in passing around the curve the guide
wheels would prevent the car from
| falling, but the passengers might yieid
10 the superior attraction VI Sravt.a-
ton and tumble down upon thelr neaas.
It is suggested, however that Inns
might not work much injury IN view
head of any one who would take one
of the centrifugal excursions.
The formation of the bicycle manu-
featuring combination has given rise
to great deal of speculation as TO
the outlook for the retail trade IN
wheels another year. few weeks
ago reports were current to the effect
that a great many dealers and agents
would be thrown out of business ow-
ing to the probability that the combln-
alton would not maintain more tnan
two stores in any OF the prominent
centers and only one in towns OF lesser
Importance. A recently puolsned an
nouncement, however, throws new
light on the subject and indicates a
policy which should prove very ac-
ceptable to all dealers who have hltn-
erto been in any degree success1ul. II
is definitely stated that one OF the
largest concerns will continue to mar
ket it's wheels through its own deals
will soon start out with instructions
to resume rela tions with all dealers In
good standing. The company's new
models will be sold under their dis
tinctive names and model numbers ana
the company states that it will pur-
sue an aggressive individual adyertis-
ing policy. Those who are in position
to know say that the same independ-
ent selling methods will be followed by
all of the more important manufactur-
ing concerns in the combine and that,
so far as the 1900 trade is concerned
the new order of things will have a
beneficial effect upon the retail trade
at large. One result of the combination
will be that a number of the smaller
manufacturers will have the benefit
of the greater facilities of certain of
the larger makers in marketing their
product
The Transvaal war will at least have
the credit of being the first campaign
by regular troops, and from the fire.
quency with which they are mentioned
in the kilograms it is very evident
that the riders are doing good service.
This fact, coupled with the order of
Sir Redvers Butler that departmental
officers at bases might have the option
of using their cycles instead of horses,
IGCelNE dil ALLOWANCE III lieu Ol Id-
tions, leads one to hope that the mill
tary authorities are at length becoming
to perceive the practical value of the
bicycle in warfare. For years they have
slighted and snubbed it. strangely
enough, in face of the declared opin-
ions in it's favor of Lord Wolseley and
other distinguished officers. And it has
been left to the volunteers to do what
little has been done to show the mill
tary efficiency Of the bicycle. Year after
year in the maneuvers cyclists have
proved themselves of very great SER
vice to the regiments to which they
have been attached; in spite, too, of
the fact that they have in many cases
been placed under the command of Of
ficers of the regulars who had only the
most elementary idea of the capacities
and limitations of bicycles. Yet it IS
only within comparatively recent time
that the authorities have recognized
the bicycle as practicable vehicle for
military purposes.
In his annual report the superin-
tendent of police of Washington pays
high tribute to the bicycle. He says
the wheel has proved a valuable ac-
auisition In expediting police business
in the District of Columbia. That some
idea may be had of the enforcement
of the laws relating to fast driving and
bicycle regulations by this auxiliary
force the superintendent states that
fines amounting to $13,436 have been
imposed in the police courts through
the efforts of the cycle squad. An eff
fort is now being made to increase the
squad from 36 to 70 men.
Prizes aggregating $4,000 will be Of
fered for the various races during obi
cycle week. at the Paris exposition
next summer. The tournament will be-
gin with the Grand Prix de FExposi-
ton, for which the prizes amount to
$4,000. In 24-hour race the prizes
total $4,000, while in big amateur race
the value of the prizes, under special
sanction, will be $1,000.
A single bicycle with gasoline mo-
tor attachment set within the frame
is being manufactured in France for
5000. Its total weight is 36 pounds and
with three quarts of gasoline it will
run so miles. The motor can be un-
coupled and the cycle used in the or
binary way.