Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-10

dDiy inns IS tne history OF lne Uaue All
/ over"
The Baltimore Suns statistics and con-
cluslons do not tally with these OF the
manufacturers. statement of President
Spading OF the American Bicycle company,
is that "the concerns in that combination
produced this year 500 900 bicycles which is
100000 more than the same firms turned
out in 1898. The plants that comprise the
1 American Bicycle company have a capacity
for several hundred thousand wheels more
than this and he sees no reason why the
ratio Of increase should not continue. 1t
is quite likely that the output for 1900 will
be 100000 cycles. In fact, some trade
authorities estimate that the product Of
next year will be 1,25O,OOO. The ratio Of
increase will be augmented by the export
trade, which is growing more rapidly than
the home trade. The figures for the cur
rent year have not been made uD, but an
idea of the magnitude Of the foreign busi-
ness can be gained from the record Of 1897
9S, which shows that the exports of bicy-
cles exceeded in value that OF any other
manufactured article, and surpassed even
the value OF agricultural implements"
The following, taken from the Pittsburg
Press, a paper with which President Kee-
nan OF lne League OF american Wneelmen
is connected is believed to represent his
views
The suggestion that the League OF
American Wheelmen should do something
that would more generally centraize it's
working forces seems to be gaining favor.
The idea is that much OF the energy of the
league as at present constituted is dissipated
through the elaborate system OF state di
visions. While no definite plan has been
proposed it is generally believed that IL
more power and better facilities we're in
vested in the national departments there
would be better results to the mem bership
at large.
THE Cyclists Touring club OF England,
the largest of the European cycling organi-
cations, has a plan something similar to
this that has proven very effective, and
those who have studied it believe the league
should investigate 1t with view to cham
ing its present method OF organization. II
any such plan would increase the ability OF
the league to carry out it's objects 1t
should certainly be adopted. And there are
many reasons why 1t should be done, for
there is no question but that wheemen do
not understand the organization that has
done so much for them, and their lack of
interest in it is further increased by local
troubles, generally caused by division poll
tics.
THE national departments this year have
proven how effective they can be, and IL
they were given more power they could ex-
tend to a greater degree the work they have
already accomplished The matter will be
discussed at the next assembly, and there
are hopes that some good will come OF it,"
The proportion of women to be seen on
the roads around New York City at this
season is noteworthy because 1t is larger
than in any previous season. The wheel
women who once become converted to the
idea OF riding the year around" are quite
as enthusiastic and persistent as the men,
reports the New York Sun On week days
especially, when the men are at business, the
women constitute about three -fourths of
those abroad and practically own the roads.
That many of them are confirmed cold
weather riders and will be found out even
when the thermometer is ten degrees below
the freezing point is indicated by their
costumes, which plainly have been made
with the idea of sticking to it through the
winter. Heavy skirts and long top riding
Shoes serviceable wooden gloves, a soft hat
without feathers to catch the wind and
thick coat or jersey constitute the apparel
OF the determined ones. new style of
sweater especially designed for women is
being considerably favored now 1t is made
with sleeves that fit tightly about the
wrists and forearms, but are full and puffy
about the upper arms and shoulders. They
are minus the roll collar and the tightly
knit elastic neck, but button across the
shoulders in front, and instead of looking
rough are somewhat dressy
The new organization of century riders
and road racing men, known as the American
Century Wheelmen, is attracting good deal
of attention throughout the United States
and many of the foremost of this class of
riders are connecting themselves with it. 1t
was organized at Cleveland on October 2
last when delegates from all parts of Ohio
were present, representing constituency of
several hundred road and century riders 1t
is composed mainly of former members of
another similar organization with whose
policy and administration they had become
dissatisfied and their withdra wal, practically
in body, created quite a stir throughout the
at the time. Since then these gentle
men have organized and incorporated, under
Ohio laws, an association which proposes to
direct and control century riding and road
racing wherever it is represented.
With this object in view it has mapped out
an excellent program, which can hardly fail
TO enlist the sympathy ana actlVe co-Opera-
ton of all riders of this class. 1t is to be
one of mutual interests, aiding and pro-
tectng, as well as governing, road riders
and racers, and not system of excessive !
taxation or arbitrary dctation. It's full pro- |
gram has been arranged in neat little book, |
its constitution. bylaws and rae
ing rules. and has been widely circulated in !
all important cities of the United States and |
copies are being called for from other sec
tions. 1t does not contemplate a conflict |
with any other racing organization but de-
sires to work in harmony with all. It's Of
fcers are men of acknowledged ability, not
only as executive officials but as century
riders OF national reputation, who have been
prominent in cycling circles for many years.
When the people of the town OF Greenwich,
Conn, secured the resignation of a school
teacher, Miss Wood. because she wore d.
vided skirts and rode a diamond frame
bicycle they decided they would require that
he new teacher who would take her place
should not ride any kind of a bicycle in
any kind OF clothes. But they looked high
and low and far and near without success
md have at last been compelled to give the
place to Miss Carrie Hubbell OF Stratford,
who, though an enthusiastic wheelWOman :