Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-01-26

matter TO arrive az such a conclusion.
Many things have 10 be taken into con-
/ sideratlon. A comparison OF records.
OK Victories and defeats will not suffice.
Other things. principally mechanical.
must be regarded. Most important OF
these is the matter OF pacemaklng. The
fastest man may have poor pacemak-
| ing and consequently lose his races, or
there may be sufficient number OF
misfortunes to rob him Of the title OF
champion.
When middle distance racing was In
| troduced into this country and man
propelled machines only were used. the
difference was not so noticeable. as fast
teams would gain the lost ground of
slow ones, or by changing pace often
the disadvantage was diminished.
In those days Jimmy Michael was
unquestionably the champion. HIS vic
tories were consistent and continuous,
but II must be said that his competitors
did not compare with his later oppo-
nents behind the motor machines. Now
adays he has TO fight every inch OF a
race and Is often the victim Of poor
pacemaklng. But altogether Harry
Elkes seems to be his superior.
The recent defeat OF Jimmy Michael
by Fixes at Madison Square Garden
was one only In technical sense. The
story Is told In the brief statement that
Elkes' motor pacing machine was fast
er than Michaels Either man could
follow his motor at any speed that
could be got out OF II on the compare
lively small track In the Garden.
The race brought out the old difficulty
In cycle racing-that OF equallzng the
pacing factor. II has been repeatedly
tried. but no satisfactory solution OF the
problem has been reached. The motor
machines come nearer to doing so, per-
haps, than any other form. But during
the past two years. the term Of their
trial, more than one rider has lost a
race simply because his motor was not
fast enough to carry him to victory.
The rules on this subject have been
drawn with view to equalizlng the
conditions, and they are as good as can
be drawn at present. Still they fan Of
their purpose. They restrict the motors
to certain horsepower estimated ac-
cording TO standard authorities, to GER
tain widths and to particular construc-
ton. No more can be done. II is
well known fact that two engines built
side by side from the same patterns and
the same materials and with the parts
interchangeable will often develop
widely different capacity. The reason
Is not known, yet It Is a fact and II Is
because of this that motor pacing ma
chimes are never exactly equal In speed.
II was Michaels motor that caused
his defeat He followed Il without
hitch and could have gone faster Fixes
likewise followed perfectly but Fixes
motor Travelled faster, and so he won.
That does not indicate that Elkes could
not have won under equal conditions.
But that factor cannot be taken into
consideration, as II was not developed.
However, both are popular riders, and
the little Welshman took his defeat
with his accustomed good grace. This
modesty Of Michaers is responsible for
much Of his popularity, and It Is GER
talnly commendable in any sportsman
Michael has shown this characteristic
ever since he came 10 this country. and
was one Of the first witnesses Of II.
--'
Jimmy was brought over by the vet
eran Tom Eek, and the latter came into
my Office shortly after arriving. After
chatting FOR some time on his expert !
ences abroad he went 10 the door and /
called to some one I'm the hallway.
Come in, Jimmy, and bring the grips /.
with you" There entered a dlminutiye |
youth attired In pancake cap, sweater
and other habillments IN keeping, all Of |
q disordered and rather rusty" ap- !
pearing kind,
Naturally | thought II was some |
urchin whom Eek had picked up at the |
pier to carry his grips. Judge then OF |
my surprise on being introduced 10 |
Jimmy Michael the unconquered mid |
die distance rider OF the world!
He would have staid in that hallway
an indefinite time had Eek not called /
him. Another instance OF his docillty
was shown in a laughable occurrence
at the hotel in which he was stopping
in New York city.
He had registered and had been as
signed TO his room when he decided to
accede TO the request Of his friends and
purchase some much needed 'toggery"
Returning from his shopping tour, he
essayed to step into the hotel elevator
with his arms full OF bundles. The OPP
orator sized him up In a jiffy and I'M
informed the little fellow
that messenger boys" had to use the ]