New-York tribune., 1909-12-14
CYCLISTS USE FISTS
MONEY ROOT OF EVIL.
DE Mara Suffers in Free Fight
scith Trainer.

Distributing the prize and contract
money 10 the riders. trainers and rubbers
who took part in the six-day bicycle race
I'm Madison Square Garden last week was
tholdi yesterday. Fists were freely used
10 add convincing force 20 many argu-
ments, and Walter De Mara appeared much
the worse for wear when IL was all over.
The paying OF tie prize money was a
star chamber proceeding, at which Messrs.
Powers and Pollock, the promoters OF the
race. accompanied by l. Pinksrton detec-
tive. played the principal roles Shortly
before 3 O'Clock the trio appeared al the
hotel in an automobile, Powers bearing n
satchel containing the prize and contract
money. They found the lobby Of the hotel
crowded with riders trainers and hangers
on, but hurried up TO Room Al. on the sec
ond floor. where the bag was opened and
the distribution OF moneys begun.
The riders went To the room by twos
and threes and the trainers and rubbers
followed by camps. As they descended TO
the ground floor again a general expression
Of dissatisfaction was heard on all sides.
but IL was impossible 10 learn what amount
each rider received
MI Powers before ascending 20 the room
10 pay of took the precsution OF ordering
all representatives OF the press barred
When an attempt was made TO speak TO
him on the telephone TO fnd out just what
was going on the operator announced that
the telephone in Room Il had ben discon-
nected.
In the mean time. as the various dis
gruntled riders and trainers assembled
once more in the corridor on the ground
floor. numerous arguments and quarrels
arose over the payment OF private debts,
also disputes as 10 the manner in which
tire money had been distributed.
Several Of the men came TO blows and
were pulled apart by friends. but finally
De Nara, 81 the team Of Lawson and De
Mara. descended IN an angry frame OF
mind II appeared that when De Mara
had opened his envelope he discovered sli
missing. which had been paid 10 Billy
Bolles. The trainer, who handled the team.
in payment Of training extras. Seeing
Bodies in the corridor. De Mara-hyalked up
10 him and asked Vi ny his money had been
tampered with. An argument ensued, which
ended with the men clinching and wrestling
about the lobby until separated by friends.
Bolles was ied away into the barrOom.
where he seated himself with Floyd Nc
Farland. last wears champion. and a num-
Der OF other riders and trainers at a table.
A few minutes later De Mara. reinforced
by group Of followers. came into the
cafe and another argument followed An
geTed az length 10y De Mara's taunts, Boil
les Jumped across the table and smashed
De Mara I'm tie face. As several Of the lat
ter's friends were about 10 interfere, Nc
Farland leaped into The breach and struck
De Mara
For three minutes for-all battle
ragged 10 and down tie floor Of the cafe
and in the corridor Of the hotel. Mcfarland
and Bolies devoting all their attention 10
lie Mara and forcing him out OF the cafe
and down the corridor until he went crash
ing against a telephone booth. when the
screams Of the operator added 10 the din
BY this time a number OF walters and
motel attendants had entered the melee and
the fight was stopped. he Mara was bleed
ing freely from cuts about the nose and
mouth and both eyes were almost closed.
Several others Of the riders received blows
which left marks.
Numerous other arguments enliyened the
proceedings. but no tight occurred until
two Of the negro rubbers became involved
IN financial argument. As the first blow
was struck a flying wedge of walters bore
down on tie negroes and by mere weight
forced them 10 the street.
II was reported that Rutt and Clarke.
the winning team, divided 5000 IN prize
and contract money as a result Of their
victory. but with what truth this assertion
vas made could not be ascertained. Root
and Fogler. who were second. divided
- =
iins. The third team, were reported TO have
received s7o0 each for their weeks ordeal
Will tie exception OF Pye. the Australian
rider. whose principal articles OF apparel
were bandages. none Of the riders ap-
peared any the worse for The six day strain
which they had undergone.