The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-08

N HE latest thriller" that will awe NY multitudes during the approach ing circus season Is called "cyc- ling the aerial arch," and it Is such an improvement on the loop -the-loopn and other break-neck ventures that so far there Is only man who dares attempt the feat This man is a physician by profess sion and is also a cyclist of marvellous skill During the past winter he has been practicing his new trick assiduously and has signed a contract for the coming sea- son at fabulous figure, so 1t is stated. Those who have seen Dr. Clark of Kansas City cycle the aerial arch say that 1t sur passes any feat of daring ever attempt- ed. Men who dive into shallow tanks from dizzy heights and others who ride around an almost perpendicular plane on a bicycle will be put in the second class by this new trick.
 pr. Clark begins his perilous ride from the top of an inclined plane about 40 feet high. His bicycle has no pedals, but instead two foot rests are provided. The rider places his feet in these, takes a vice-like grip of his handle bars, and is showed gently down the plane by an at tendant. The pathway is just about 8 feet wide. and as the wheel dashes down it, gathering momentum at every revolu- ton, 1t would mean certain death to the rider should he allow the handle bars to swerve the slightest degree to right or left for he would be dashed to pieces on the ground. At the foot>of the incline the plane curves slightly upward When the cyclist strikes this bend he and his wheel are sent flying into space toward another plane about 20 feet distant. The bicycle describes beautiful arch in the air. and just at the apex of it's flight seems to hang suspended for brief instant. The front wheel of the bicycle is now higher than the rear, as result of the impetus given by the raised plane, and just at this mo- ment the rider mods his head This slight motion is sufficient to turn the course of the bicycle downward and it sails with the airy grace of bird straight toward the continuation of the incline. If the rider has held his handle bars rightly-and he always does or he would be instantly killed-the wheel lights on the plane with light thud, speeds on downward and it's momentum Is gradually reduced as the pathway flattens out until the rider can jump off with ease.
 The trick very much resembles the leaps made on skies by coasters in Norway, but it Is far more dangerous than a glide over the edge of cliff into a snowdrift, and will no doubt bring Dr. Clark both fame and riches
 W. B. Cowles of Cleveland, O., said in recent address on the question of labor that the man who worked eight hours day was merely loafing, and that other countries would outstrip the United States if our workmen did not devote more time to their labors. The eight-hour day has become mighty factor in Amer lean life. It is usually taken as the stand ard of time in contracts between laborer and employer, and most people are &C., customed to looking upon the man who lays brick or carries a bod forty-eight hours out of every week as worthy of his hire and a very industrious workman into the bargain. Of course there are a great many men who work more than eight hours day and great many who work less. but that Is not the question MT. Cowles says that if we don't ali work longer than eight hours every day old world laborers will surpass us Many brain workers labor ten and twelve hours a day, but it is asking a little too much to demand that man who tolls with his