The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1908-01-04
NOTES IN CYCL.EOoM

Charles j. Jacobs, who will. in all prob
ability. represent the Irish-American
Athletic club at the Olympic games to
be held in London this year. has issued a
sweeping challenge to all amateur bicy-
clists registered by the National Cycling
association. Jacobs has put forward his
claims to the amateur championship OF
America. and Is recognized as a really re-
niarkaole rider He is 10 years old.
weighs 1853 pounds. and is feet 10 inches
IN height. Jacobs was TO have ridden
match races in Madison Square Garden
during the six-day race, but a protest
withdrawn until too late for him 10 ap-
pear. In speaking OF the coming season.
MI. Jacobs stated that IL Nailsburg
opens early enough TO allow him TO make
showing before going abroad. he ex-
poets TO beat all comers. While this
may be the optimistic view OF young
rider. 1t certainly is true that he Is hav-
ing easy picking with the riders in and
England made and used 10000 bicycles
during the year just ending. Remember
ing that the United Kingdom has only
about half the population OF the United
States IL will be seen that the wheel re-
vival Is even greater there than IL is In
this country.
For "A couple OF weeks before the hoIi-
days. the telegraph companies sent out
card with every message delivered cali
ing attention to the fact that they have
eel-mounted messengers. who are
available for the quick delivery of par
GELS. Ii Ia an eloquent pointer, every
year. to the economy of bicycles for the
use of business houses handling small
wares.
Throughout Europe telegraph and tele-
phone line watchers perform their tours
OF duty upon bicycles. as IL has been con-
clusively proven that a man on a wheel
can cover more ground, year in and year
out. on bicycle than he possibly can on
horse. The motorcycle Is also well
adapted TO this sort of work. and during
the last few months the telegraph mana
gers have been making tests to determine
the value of the machines.
Motorcycle manufacturers Will watch
with interest a test now being made by
the postoffice department OF the value
OF tri-car as a mail collecting vehicle.
A machine having an enclosed front car
rier is now being tried out in Washing
ton, and IL is stated that II IT fulfills al!
the claims made for IT, a larger order for
machines will be placed II would seem
that the government Is acting with It's
customary caution. The Tact that many
rural free delivery mail carriers have al
ready equipped themselves with machines
at their own expense. and that such car
riers have abuDdantly proved the eff
cheney of motorcy cles. does not appear to
have counted for very much In official
estimation. The extensive use of bicy-
cles and motorcycles by the postoffice de-
partments abroad might have furnished
reassuring evidence to our own depart
ment, as IL certainly would have done III
the case of private enterprise that was
anxious To increase its facilities for the
handling OF business. England. which
now utilizes the bicycle 10 an extent
scarcely conceived in this country. buys n
large number OF bicycles yearly for her
postal service. AS an instance. a con-
tract has Just been made by the British
general postoffce for 10000 sinner tubes.