The times., 1899-02-05
PREPARING FOR The
cycle EXHIBITION
Committee in Charge Hard at
Work.
ppominent Dealers Interested in
the Shew.
Arrangement of Stands in the Light
Infantry Armory-Iist of EX-
hibftors-kutomobi Display.

Everything is progressing nicely for the
cycle show. which will be held in this city
the latter partsof this month. The COM
mittee in charge of the event is hard at
work. and while not ready just at present
to divulge their plans they are arranging
all OF the details which are 50 essential
10 the success of the movement. 1t might
be added that the persons connected with
the local cycle show are hustlers, and
very energetic, and the public will have
q good opportunity OF judging their abili-
~ in affording amusement and instruc-
lion
The idea of cycle show is not new
one in this city. Perhaps the first cycle
show ever known to the Washington pub
lie was that held away back in 1892 or
1898 1t was in the shape Of a fair given
by the Georgetown Cycle Club, which was
then the leading cycling organization of
the city The fair was held at the Wash
ington Light Infantry Armory, and was
originally designed TO last for one week.
The event was such success that il was
held another week, making fortnight in
all. Most all OF the leading cycle dealers
of that time were represented at this fair,
though since then many have passed from
the business, while more than double the
number Of new firms have appeared.
First Genuine Cycle show.
The first genuine cycle show in the city
was held few years later. and was given
under the auspices OF the Washington Road
Club. 1t was held at the same place, and
was a very successful affair. The entire
armory was filled with the stands of ex-
hibitoPs and the show lasted for one week
By many il is claimed that this show did
good deal toward popularizing the wheel
il this city, for shortly after the cycling
boom struck the town and has been on The
increase ever since
No public cycle show has been held sine,
this time Two years ago the Washington
Cycle Board Of Trade was organized. ant
all of the dealers in cycles or cycle sun
dries were represented on the membership
roll. At least three-fourths of the
number were members, while the balanc,
were in sympathy with the project to
more or less extent. At a meeting Of th'
beard held two years ago it was decided
not 10 have a cycle show on account o.
the expense involved, and the doubtful
value of the experiment as an advertising
medium. This resolution prevailed for {
year and last year when the board was il
a tottering condition no effort was made tC
have a show
tnpftui bicycle tfub Exhibition
Perhaps the only snow OF cycles that ha:
been held for the past two years has beer
that Of the Capital Bicycle Club, at il
home In Fifteenth Street, just south o.
Pennsylvania Avenue. Every year for TIT
past Two years the club has had a publi
exhibition of different makes of wheels il
its parloFs. The club members and thei
friends were invited to visit the clubhous'
and examine the different makes. The eZ
hibition lasted for three or four days dur
ing which time many people visited tht
place, but, of course. the number of in
spectors OF the exhibits was limited 10
certain class
This year 4 new condition of affairs hai
arisen The most prominent dealers O
. The city have banded together, and hav.
decided to have q show which will be wor
Thy Of the National Capital. Il the fo-me
days Of cycling. when bicycles sold fo
$50, there was big margin of profit, AM
the dealers could AFFORD TO be extremel,
liberal. That this was so was evidence,
by the fact that bicycles were given ava,
for almost every fair or road race held
In these days of close competition tn
price has SO decreased in amount as {
leave a comparatively narrow margin O
profit, and business principles necessitat
rctrenchment in the matter of expenses
beginning OF the Movement.
About six weeks ago a meeting was hel
which was attended by many local dealers
and they agreed to have a public cycI