The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-09
Referee Mitchell Holding Investigation of Claim That Majority of Riders Cut Off Part of Course. Tommy Hinds Wins Time HOnCrS

The result of the big six-aDd-n-halt
 mile handicap bicycle race yesterday
 afternoon is as much in doubt at tn,
 present as it was several days before | the race was run. The winner of yes- terday's big race is undetermined q, the present owing to the fact that Referee Arthur Mitchell Is probing the claims of certain riders that the ma jority of the racers cut off over a half mile of the distance by jumping the 1 course.
 The big race was started on time with is riders entered. The handica ps were given to all of the riders except the scratch man, Tommy Hinds, the winner of the last race. Referee Mitchell did not follow the racers at the front, but other officials in auto mobiles and on motorcycles led the way The riders kept their course until they reached the Norwood boulevard The riders rounded the boulevard and reached Fifteenth avenue and Thirtieth street. Here the majority of the riders followed one man on the wrong course and will consequently be disqualified.
 In the finish of the race which at that time was thought to be legal, Stanley Stephens led the field by margin of over three city blocks. Laughinhouse was second. winning over Rietta by a narrow margin. Tommy Hinds the scratch man, was fourth in order to finish, closely following John Maginni, who crossed the tape third. Reed was fifth and Horton sixth A pretty finish for the seventh place provided the only thrill of the race, between Carl Mabee and Otis Foster, the former winning by about a foot. Dave Sloan, Ed Spen- cer, Harry Flynn, Leon Bolin, P. o. Cox. Cambridge Norris and Guy Eos ter finished in the order named
 The above finishes will not be the final rating. It is understood that the winner, Stephens, is alleged to have been one of the unfortunate riders to lose his way. If, so, he will be disqual flied. It is rumored that the first three riders to cross the tape will be dis qualified, meaning that Tommy Hinds will win the first honors.
 HINDS MAKES BEST TIME
 Hinds wins the time honors at any rate. He completed the course in 17 minutes and 31 seconds. Stephens time was IS minutes and 39 second.
 "No official winner or the awarding of the prizes will take place until I have made a complete investigation of the claims that certain riders cut off some of the course" said Referee Mitchell last night. T am determined to sift this thing to the bottom and determine the correct winner. No rider that did cut off the course should deserve the honors of winning the race and con- sequently, as referee of the race, l feel as it were my duty to see that all get fair dal.
 The mere fact that ignorance on the part of some of the riders led them to take the wrong course does not free them from disqualification. The course has been published in the daily news papers repeatedly and it was the mis- fortune of the rider if he didn't know the route. Some of the riders are also claiming that they followed officials on motorcycles. This does not help their cause, neither. I am sorry that it all came up but the right winner will be given the honors. I will make my decision by noon today"
 Witnesses were seen by Referee Mitchell last night and almost all of the evidence has been collected at the present. The official announcement is awaited with interest.