The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-01-29
FUTURE C0gTROL OF
CYCLE Race MEETS
New Association Receives Sup
port in AL Quarters.
Twenty Leading Tracks Cooperate
for independence.
Every Evidence Tint the Public and
Crack Riders VIII support the
National Directorate.

The cycle racing control situation, which
has been in rather chaotic state for some
months past, has now been permanently
settled, and in manner that is most salts
factory to all concerned The only ones
who are dissatisfied are the rabid parties,
who favor a continuation of the former
state of affairs, but fortunately the nu-
merical strength of this class is limited
and will gradually die natural death.
Since the first signs of discomfort which
appeared several years ago, up to the pres
ent time, the sport has suffered to a more
or less extent. The rather poor showing
made by cycle racing in several cities last
season is practically attributable to this
fact From gentle zephyr the murmur of
discomfort rose to hurricane, but all
trouble from this cause has now ceased to
exist. 1t is predicted by the unbiased that
the coming racing season will be the most
successful known for some years past. If
anything, il will be far above the record
of previous years, the rate or proportion
being increased so greatly as to be percep-
tible to all.
The meeting Wednesday afternoon at the
Fifth Avenue Hotel, New York city, an
account of which appeared in The Times
the next morning, effectuaily settled the
existing troubled condition of affairs. A
permanent organization, to be known as
the National Cycling Association, was
formed, which has assumed and henceforth
Will have control of cycle racing. I'm
knowingly in an official way, and rather
unwillingly, the control Of the sport has
passed from the hands of the League of
American Wheelmen to the new associa
ton. There is nothing for the latter or
ganization to do but to gracefully acquiesce
in the changed condition of affairs. The
League of American Wheelmen will -four
ish much better II it attends to the original
purposes for which II was created, namely
the promotion of cycle riding and the in
crease of good roads. If the organization
sticks TO these two objects and does its
duty well it will receive the support of
many more riders all over the country than
1t has at present.
Twenty Leading Tracks Join. &.
The action of the. National Cycling AS
ISOLATION received a very flattering en-
dorsement OF its action Friday of THU.
week The National Track Association, an
organization representing fifteen or TWEEN
~ of the leading tracks of the country,
held an annual meeting at New York City.
The result Of this meeting was that the
new association was, endorsed, and to such
Association joined hands. with 1t and be-
came members OF ethe controlling body.
This was an action2 which the League of
American Wheelmen would very much
have liked TO avert. 1t only shows that
the new race control organization is re-
ceiving just support; because its aims and
objects are fair. To add 10 the strength
of the National Cycling Association, it has
the support of all ofthe crack professional
riders of the country. With all of this
support, IT Is no wonder that 1t should
meet with instant success.
The professional riders add materially
TO the success of any race meet. This Is
especially the case with ,the crack riders
who have a national reputation In all OF
the leading cities of the country they are
good drawing cards, and without their ap-
pearance a meet in a town like Washing
ton, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York or
any other big city would not be nearly as
well attended. The professional riders
have organized an association of their own,
known as the American Racing Cyclists
Union, and, banded together as they are,
they have solemnly pledged themselves not
to ride again under the League control or
on any track where the League is recog-
niZed as the controlling power of the sport
1t is no wonder that the professionals