Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-06-07
BICYCLES in ENGLAND
Methods of Introducing Them and Chances
for American Manufacturers.
Report Made by Consul HnIstead. the
Representative of This Country
at Birmif isham.

Consul Halstead. me United States repre-
sentative at Birmingham, England, recent
ly made a report touching the use Of bicy-
cles in England, the substance of which
is as follows:
To cover the various phases of the bicy-
Gle business in interesting way and at
the same time preserve a fair degree of ac-
curacy, l have had recourse to the inter-
view and have talked with an American
who, as an agent has had a large eX-
perience in handling American goods here;
L have seen an English journalist con-
nected in an important capacity with one
of the most enterprising British bicycle
papers, and, finally have obtained the
views of bright American seller of sheet
steel stampinss and other bicycle parts
The agent of American bicycles thought
it well to give an outline of the history of
efforts here, to show the present condltlon
of the market in England. He said:
"A few years ago American bicycle manu-
facturers, knowing that with the use of
up-to-date machinery and modern methods
their manufacturing costs were very low,
and finding the home market unsteady, oW-
irg to overproduction, decided to invade
foreign markets
Il am one of the first of the many Ameri-
can bicycle statesmen who were sent abroad,
and believe l know something about the his
tory of the trade.
The Methods Employed.
Some of our manufacturers went about
the foreign trade in a systematic business
like manner and worked on most OF the
lines which had been successful at nome.
They established branch stores, putting
competent men in charge, advertised liber-
ally, and quoted prices in pounds shillings
and pence. Their stores were repair de'
pots, where any part could be repaired or
even replaced If broken. Other manufac-
turers, as you know, desired only to dis
pose OF surplus stock, at any price OBJ
talnable, and reckiessiy accepted agents OF
various degrees of financial responsibility
and without reference at all to their moral
reliability. Tailors, druggists and dry
goods merchants were ushered into a trade
in which they were not fitted in any way
to hold the people. Catalogues intended
originally for use in America were sent
out here, without even the alteration of the
prices SO that Englishmen could under
stand, and with descriptions in terms not
current here Hangers are known in Eng
land as bottom brackets drop forgings are
called stampings, etc. People here are
afraid of wooden rimS-afraid they Will
break in the first place and sure that
damp weather will effect them in the sec
ond, and they simply will not have them.
The Dunlop Double-Tube Tire Company
has such monopoly and controls so many
agents and bicycle repair shops that 1t is
simply idiotic to fly in the face of the
facts. The ordinary bicycle repairer not
only could not, but would not try to repair
snsle-tube tire, and, ION account of the
sharp flint, broken glass and thorns on the
roads here, punctpres are far more COM
mon than in the Uri4sedzBtates.
THE few far-sighted manufacturers sup
piled steel rims and detachabie double-tube
tires. The whtms-Or, more properly, the
wishes-of the people We're regarded by
manufacturers Wh64caIne to stay, as We're
also their desires in regard to brakes. mud
guards and even gear cases. l would not
think of riding here without mud guard
as | have no more liking than other people
for being splattered. 1t is muddier here
than at home. and it Is stickier and Slop-
pier Kind of mud, and, not having much
sand, it does not crurlibe up and break
away so easily. Half the mud guards
which have come on American machines
are too short by two or three inches, and
the mud climbs up your back.
Found Good Market.
THE result is that a certain class of far
sighted manufacturers have found an ex-
cellent market here. Their machines are on
par with or even better than the best
English machines, and sell at cheaper
prices; while the others have not only
ruined their own prospects and lost money,
but very nearly spoiled the market for
American machines by their loose ways
There are still some America machines
which | could name which should be
brought here, and if well represented would
sell readily, if fitted to meet the demands
of the market Many statesmen have been
sent over here who We're at first reluctant
to comply with English wishes; but a sales
man soon finds out the conditions of the
market, and it is usually the manufac-
turer who remains unconvinced and con-
tinues, to his great cost, stubborn and even
antagonistiC in attitude toward his possible
customer. and forgets that the buyer has
the right to say what he wants.
In reply to your question about bicycle
httngS, ! must say that | believe with
you that this is best opening. if orders
are filled promptly and with exactness
There is a good demand and ready sale for
weL-rnadc bicycle fittings of all kinds-sad-
dies, hubs. pedals, etc, Sheet-steel stamp
fngs are bound to grow in favor. Mallea-
ble-iron ca@tiaSs are also in demand and
the high-ciass work OF this description
turned out in the United States should 6ni
a ready sale
From the English bicycle journalist be-
cause OF MS extensive acquaintance and
intimate association with the trade, |
sought an expression as to the present
status of English bicycle manufacture as
a whole, and his views confirm all | have
seen in other directions and have heard
from other sources. He said:
THE cycle business of Great britain for
the season just closed has been very dis
appointing from the manufacturers point
of view. Agents had carried over heavy
Stocks from the preceding year and were
therefore not in a position to buy heavily,
so that makers were obliged to push sales
outside the ordinary circles regardless
more or less. of the financial condition of
naturally resulted in many bad debts. In
stead of the average being l per cent as
in the ordinary year, they have gone IN
during the season just closed as much as
8 or & per cent on the turn over. To put
the situation in a nutshell, the only people
who have made money are those who have
been in position to collect their accounts,
such as the birmingham Small Arms Com
pany, the ge-Whtworth Company New
Centaur Company and New Hudson Com
pany.
Failures and Their Cause.
The number of failures attributed to over
CAPT, alization and lack of knowledge of the
trade has been very heavy. Capital was at
tracted in the days of the boom and MANY
People went into the business in the same
manner that they would speculate in gold
mines, and the results have been, of course,
disastrous.
In regard to 1899 the outlook is much
more hopeful The doubtful elements have
been cleared out to, a great extent. and the
business will be on, much better footing.
Stocks have been we'll reduced and there
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