The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-05-03
NEWS OF THE WHEELMEN.
Irvington : Mi1burn Discussion
Notes Of the Clubs.

Just at present there is~eonsiderabie dis
cussion over the Observation-Disclosures race
and where it is to be held this season, or
whether it is to be held at all. The race
has been under the management Of the
Associated Cycling Clubs of New Jersey,
and the job has been a hard ana trying
one. A monster affair like this race IS
most exacting and leaves many openings
for criticisms. 1t is a strange fact that
the people along the course and the town
ships through which the riders pass. ard
to which they therefore draw crowds, did
not lend any assistance to make the event
a success. They seemed, in fact, to make
use of every opportunity to discourage and
injure the event. These same people have
confessed that the race drew large crowds
to the towns thereabouts, ana that it was
a good thing for the people and towns.
Thus they admit that the Irvingtoa-Mil-
burn race makes money for them. They
also know, as everyone does, that the
race loses money for the promoters annu-
ally. In the face of this the authorities of
the towns which make money out of the
event go to the managers that lose money
on the event and demand the payment of
lOiiNJ v "a = Az ''NS
never properly policed on a race day.
At a meeting Of the Town Council of r.
vington, it was voted to charge the Assoc
ciated Cycling Clubs, which will conduct
this years race, the sum of $50 for police
service in that town. While this in itseit
seems a trifie, w. A. Drabble of the At
Atlanta Wheelmen of Newark, who was
Chairman of last years Race Committee
and who for several years has been prom
inently identified with the big races, says
that in all probability the imposition of.
this tax will prevent the running of the
big road Derby this coming Decoration
Day. Last year the Atalanta Wheelmen
were taxed SIS by I%rvington, $12 by Mill
burn and .$25 by South Orange for police
service, and the-committee in charge mas
repeatedly said that the service rendered
was wretched. The Town Council also
wanted to make the wheelmen this year
furnish a bond of $1,000 to indemnify the
town. in the event of a suit being brought
any one who might be injured by the
racers Tie sole source of income attend
the race in the last few years, in fact,
since 1896, when the big bicycle manufac-
turing companies Withdrew their support,
has been the entry fees. These have not
proved sufficient to pay the expenses Of
event. 1t was owing to this that the
Associated Cycling Clubs of New York
and New Jersey last year after several
meetings, decided not to take charge of
the meet. In spite of the action taken
by the A. q C. the Ataianta Wheeimen,
than see the race go by the board,
81 - --Az - ~ ~ r,hial xuhila
most successful from the viewpoint OF cy-
cling was most unsatisfactory from the
standpoint.
The Richmond County Wheelmen and
the Century Road Club of America are
with having had the race trans
ferred from the Irvington-Milburn course.
to Staten Island.
E.. l.. Blauvelt, one of the most promi-
nents men in wheeling in the State. says
the race will be run as usual this year,
as the hotel people have promised to con-
tribute enough to pay expenses. There
is still much fear in many quarters.
The wheeling members of the Riverside
Club are jubilant over the outlook for the
formation of a cycling division in the club.
matter has proceeded so far that
Joseph Murphy, A. Carney and Walter
Weiderman were appointed a committee
to draw up bylaws and rules for the
wheeling department.
Many riders will do we'll to remember
tool boxes were put on a wheel TO
carry tools in and that a tool in a pocket
may cause very serious damage in the
event of "a all. There are several cases
record where wheelmen were badly in
jured in what would have been nothing
but a slight fall but for the fact that a
wrench was carried in pocket.
Paul Winberry, who is looking after the
training of John Weston, a promising
of Hoboken. is very much pleased
with the progress his charge is making.
Road Officers H.. ]. Bollman, c. Lange,
Jr., and e. Miller. of the Castle Point
cyclers. have greatly pleased the mem
bers with their work.
Captain Tom Lynch, of the Mantle
promises to make things In
teresting for the member this season.
The Dewey Wheelmen have made up an
programme for the entertain
of the members and their friends,
tonight, at the clubhouse, No. 31S Fourth
street.
Sunday the Dewey Wheelmen will go to
Jamaica, L. T.. on the regular club run.
The start will be made from the club
at 8 A. Nj All unattached riders
are invited to participate.
nFcnRATInN DAY CARD.