The times., 1899-05-21
CURRENT events IN
THE CYCLING WORLD
The Season AuspiciOusly Open.
ed at Ambrose Park.
The Fight for Supremacy to Con-
troll Racing.
l.. 4. w. and n. c. \. Contend ,or
Tracks and Riders-Brisht Pros
pcct OF New Organization.

N,
ing season opened today. The monster
meet at Ambrose Park, under the National
Cycling Association sanction, and the Tom
Butler Major Taylor match race in Massa-
ohusetts. under the auspices of the League
of American Wheelmen, together with a
number of smaller meets, started the
ball rolling.
During the rext ten days there Vii be
a comparatively few meets under sane
tion of either body. There will however,
be the National Cycling Association meet
at Washington on May "a, during the
Peace Jubilee. and the opening meet of the
Baltimore Colosseum on May 26. The
schedule also includes the McDuifee-Tay
lor match race at Philadelphia, May q.
and the McDufree-Joe Downey match race
at Boston on the evening OF May %, both
under League of american Wheelmen
sanction. By May so the present cycle
racing season will be under full headway
with nearly half hundred meets sched
uled for Decoration Day.
The battle for supremacy between the
National Cycling Association and the
League of American Wheelmen for the
tant question before the cycling fraternity
at the present time. AS the season ad-
vanees it is more than probable that either
one body or the other will gain the ascend
anoy. Just now the fight for control is
keen and the contest is being waged all
along the line. TO those who have watch
ed closely eacn move OF the opposing
forces there is little doubt as to the re-
suit.
The apparent strength of the National
Cycling Association in the matter OF con-
trolling nearly all the important tracks
along the seaboard and the allegiance
which by far the greater num-
ber OF crack professional riders
have shown toward the body makes its
chances of ultimately gaining con-
troll Of the situation exceedingly promising.
Their evident intention of making the sport
free from politics and corruption is a
mighty factor which alone has won and
still is winning a multitude of followers.
On the other hand, the arbitrary spirit and
mismanagement shown by the L. A. w,
and desire of a vast majority of its mem
bers TO do away with the control of rae
ing acts as a serious obstacle in the way
of its success.
1t is now thought that the International
Cycling Association will. within the next
few weeks, recognize the claims of the
National Cycling Association and accord
it the full privileges of control which
have heretofore been held solely by the
L. A. w.
Another problem, which is receiving con-
siderable attention is the effect which tie
am cable understanding between tn. Inter
collegiate Association and the n. C. A.
will have upon the alliance existing he
tween the League of American Wheelmen
and the Amateur Athletic Union The In
tercollegiate Association and the Amateur
Union are allies, and it is thought that
tie influence exercised by the Intercolle-
giate Association over the friendly organ
ization of collegians with whoIn they are
on good terms will sooner or later result
in a further depletion of the ranks of the
L. a. W. The question of control will in
| all probability be settled within the next
two months.
The loyal support of the racing men 10
the projects of the National Cycling Asso-
citation has in large measure enabled
! that body to hold its present prominent
position in racing matters.
! Good. honest sport, well conducted and
J fearlessly controlled, will win followers ev-
! cry time. Jobbery on the part of any con-
| trolling organization will not be tolerated
| Mismanagement of the sport in the pas
| by the L. A. W. lost TO that organization
| its complete control of racing. The per
! sonnel of the official staff of the Nationa
| Cycling Association allows of no question
/ as to its entire ability to carry on fair rae.
| ing. Honest men who filled responsible,
! positions under the League of American
| Wheelmen with credit to themselves anC
to their organization are today the mel
in charge of the affairs OF the Nationa
| Cycling Association.
1t is undoubtedly fact that a majority
| of tha mo nf ba Ioapy of Avn arin
Wheelmen are anxious TO see the ultimate
| success of the National Cycling Assoeia
| ton, they being warmly in favor of tn
abolishment of control of the sport by thei
own organization. Their feeling in thi
matter has led many prominent L. A. W
members to take official positions with tn
N. c. A.
Authorities in L. A W circles VII,
fought against the further control of th
sport by their organization at the last ma
tional assembly have put themselves OF
record in letter after letter to officials o
the n. C. A., hoping for the coniplet,
success of that body Eand recommendinl
friends for positions.
a majority of the n. C. A. officials still
pay dues to the l.. A. w. and continue I,
boom the organization in every way ex
cept in racing matters. J. d. Lasley ant
William Jose, prominent among the Iis
trict of Columbia League workers in tn
past, and today suspended from the or
ganization, are at present working ear
nestly for an L. 4. W. pcoject. that o
building cycle path near Washingtor.
National Cycling Association officials lie
lieve that the entire confidence of tn
public will be gained through the strictes
, enforcement of the rules Racing rne
will find nc more leeway under the me-
organization than they found under tn
old. but will find mere justice in an orgaui
zation in which they have representation
There is every indication today that III
sport will be controlled better than eve
and that each organization Will watch care
fully for the slightest break in the othe
and neither the l.. a. w. nor the n. C.
> will dare allow a transgressor to so VI
2 punished
The season promises more good spoT
!. more meets and larger attendances tina
at any time in the history of cycle FacinI