The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-04-10
ACTIVITY IN WHEELING
Bicycle Tournament Will Prob
ably Be Held.
WANTS WIDE TIRE LAWS
An Agitation Begun by the League OF
American Wheelmen-Side Path
Lava Test Case Com
ing Up.

Everything seems to point to sea-
son of great activity in wheeling cir
cles in Montana. There Is talk about
the state of bicycle tournaments to be
held during the coming summer, at
which both amateurs and professionals
are to meet.
Dealers in bicycles look for a big in
crease in the wheel trade this year
are being received indicate that there
will be more bicycling this year than
ever before. This is probably due to
the low price at which dealers offer
wheels this year. First class bicycles
are selling at $40 and $50. while second
grade makes may be had for $40 and
$25. Models of 1898 are dirt cheap and
a second hand wheel goes begging for
purchaser.
In connection with its agitation for
good roads the League of American
Wheelmen has advocated the adoption
of wide tire laws By this is meant
that the league wants every vehicle
fitted with tire of such width as will
be commensurate with its weight and
carrying capacity. In securing this 1t
Is well kHO"n TO engineers tHdC t0H
wagon tires will prove to be road build
ers instead of destroyers. In speaking
of the advantages of wide tires, a
league official claims the following
points: Fewer horses for the same
work. More work for the same horses.
Prolonging the horses usefulness. Saw
ing Of time in passing over road. Saw
ing in wear and tear on harness and
vehicles. Saving of time on repairs.
Saving of taxes. Saving from one-half
to two-thirds cost of wheels. Reduced
cost of damages. More satisfaction
and less vexation.
Governor Roosevelt has signed the
Ellsworth "side-path" law which was
introduced and supported by the New
York division of the League of Amer
lean Wheelmen. This bill provides for
the building of side-paths for cyclists
throughout the state and for the APP
pointment of county commissioners to
have supervision over them. This is
one of the best bills ever engineered Ly
the L. A. w, as it will enable many
portions of the state to have rideable
Wheelways where entire good roads arc
not possible for many years to come,
and in addition it will place them IN
der the care of experts whose duty it
will be ito see that they are protected
from damage by wagons and other
A test case of considerable import
ance will soon be up for decision. The
city of Worcester, Mass, imposes tax
of 81 cents on all bicycles, basing their
valuation at $50, no matter what their
real value may be. Among others who
have paid this tax is Charles j. Grady,
member of the L. A. W., who did so
under protest claiming that his ma
chine was not worth more than $40.
The Massachusetts Division l.. A. w.
proposes to make a test case of the
matter and will institute suit against
the city for false taxation.
Tom Eek, the veteran trainer, is at
Hot Springs. where he will start the
work of his team for the season. John
S. Johnson. Ben Munroe and another
not named, comprise the team.
The professionals who competed in
the recent races held in California a-.e
highly indignant at the treatment they
received at the hands of the race man
ayers.
In Russia the bicycle manufacturers
have decided that they will refuse to
employ riders to use special types of
wheels. AT a recent meeting of the
leading tradesmen it was decided that
=
a special make of wheel and that mon
ey shall not be paid to Russian or for
eign riders for appearance at meet
ing.
Jimmy Michael has a new manager.
He changes managers Is frequently IS
he does his linen. He went to Frisco
in charge of Jim Kennedy, the rotund
professional sport, but Jimmy soon de-
cided that 1t would be safer If he had
Al Weinig, so he made a change. Now
he has taken on Jimmy Warburten, an
old pal from across the water.
Harry Elzes and his father are de-
cidedly put out by their California
trea tment. "Old Man" Elkes, as he is
called, declares that they were
skinned" in the race against McFar-
land. Harry will ride Mcfarland for
marbles or money in the East" is the
terse manner in which Mr.. Elkes ex-
plains his case now.
Nearly every country in Europe will
send official representatives to the
worlds cycle championships at Mon
treal in August. These will be the re-
spective champions at the different dis
tances and will include a number of
middle distance riders
Eddie Bald, who has been on the Pa
cific coast for the winter. is now at his
home in Buffalo. Bald will visit this
city within a few days to make ar
engagements regarding his mount for
the season. He will wait until this fall
before making his proposed trip
abroad. He will remain in Europe ell
winter and then, when the following
season begins, he will be fully accli-
mated and sufficiently well acquainted
with the tactics of the foreign riders to
meet them on their own terms.