New-York tribune., 1900-04-12
CYCLING.
MANUFACTURERS NOT DISCUSSING THE
HIRING OF TEAMSLBICYCLES
IN SOUTH AFRICA.

The quarterly meeting OF the directors OF the
American Bicycle Company was brought to q close
yesterday the Offices OF the company, In Park
Row, after a session which lasted for portion OF
two DAYS At the close OF the meeting the an
nouncement made that only routine business.
OF public interest. had been transacted There
has been considerable speculation in certain quar-
ters, especially among race meet promoters ana
professional riders. to what action the company
would take regarding the hiring Of teams this year
know that the subject of hiring racing teams had
not beer discussed in any way by the manufactur, r.
discussed. This will be blow to the contngent OF
Winter hat the makers would reintroduce old
custom Of hiring Tde5s to TIDE Se5san
1t said that If the subject of hiring teams
eS % the but Be pU
over 10 a special committee for action
An Bngiishman who has been in South Africa
says: "A valuable Illustration OF the possibilities
OF work bicycles when mounted by strong riders
Is shown by the wonderful ride OF the scout who,
quite early in the progress OF the campaign. made
the double trip from near Kimberley TO Mafeking
and back a total distance OF some four hundred
miles. carrying dispatch into the beieaguered
town IN the north and bringing back answer.
the whole trip being performed in few days In
spite Of the fact that the plucky runner found 1t
necessary, to lie in hiding often for hours at a
time; while he had TO carry with him the whole OF
Of me eyeIIng soldier, considered as fghting unit
rather than as scout or dispateh beareI ,i. Is his
instrument OF war has in itself some obvious
weaknesses. yet this power of rapid and silent
discount the drawbacks alluded TO 1t goes without
saying that the bicycle in a country OF good roads
like England would possess an infinitely greater
rough trackways OF the African veldt and the idea
suggests itself that sufficient army, even
@ so who could Cheek s Rs R
movements of any invading enemy to make any
progress OF the hostile force a practical impos
slbity-
Wheenlen we'll as the owners Of automobiles
taking lively interest in the ffty-mile automobile
run, hch will be held the Merrick Road on Sat
1rday. The start, which will be made Springfield,
VIII probably be witnessed by many wheelmen, as
well owners OF automobiles. and drivers, the
place is easily reached by railroad train, and by
good roads from Brooklyn Most OF the course be-
tween Springfield and Babylon is macsdamized and
excellent time ought to be made. It Is said that
official announcement is to be made preliminary
to the run as to the entries their number. Each
ms chine will have thirty seconds leaway, in
that there will be confusion mix up on the
road.
The wheeling element IN the Brooklyn Ricvcle
Club jolly lot yesterday. Their wholesale
defeat OF the social element which wished domi-
nate the club already told. caused the lveliest
rejoicing. The newly elected officers say that
suggestion to take out the word bicycle from the
club name is not likely to again for long
time
NAT" Butler, the veteran Boston rider with the
shining pate. is desrous OF emulating Charles NJ
Murphy and riding a mile behind a locomotive in
less than minute. Butler Is not the only rider
four-hfths seconds record made by Murphy last
summer Such trials, however, expensive, as
wen as dangerous, and II is doubtful If any rail-
road hereabout will care TO aid IN the achieve
rlent