New-York tribune., 1918-12-02

fcOT, W me.
bent and aged man, whose long
gray beard got tangled up in his feet
with every step he took, hobbled into
Madison Square Garden last night and
shifted the frankfurter- laden air with
look of ineffable happiness upon his
face, then he leaned heavily upon his
cane as he lowered himself carefully
into seat near the siue of the track
where the slx-day riders were whirling
around the banked oval.
"Ah! it is the same old race and the
same old scenes," he cackled feebly, and
dropped off into q gentle sleep, having
previously left a call at the box office
for IL O'Clock next Saturday night,
when the race ends. The old gentle
man, it was learned, is the last surviving
veteran fan of the first six day bicycle
race held at the Garden in 1894, and he
has never missed grind since.
Fifteen teams, representing most Of
the Allied nations, began the twenty
sixth annual race at the Garden at one
minute after midnight this morning,
and as usual at the start of these al
fairs the stronger riders set a mad
pace IN the first hour, in the effort to
kill off the weaker riders at the outset.
The field swept around the saucer at a
twenty-five mile en hour clip, while
the thousands of spectators howled and
chortled in true six day frenzy.
A few hours before the grind began
1t was announced that Bob Spears, one
of the favorites in the race. who was
teamed with Alf Grenda another Aus
trallan. would not start owing to a sud
den attack of influenza Manager Jim
nile Johnston at once started to hunt
new partner for Grenda, and Freddie
Hill. who has figured in the money
ever since 1908, was selected as Gren-
da's team mate.
Peter Prunty There
Shortly before midnight Pete Prunty.
the announcer, stepped to the side OF
the track and introduced the various
teams. The riders rode slowly around
the track, team by team, while the
band played the national airs Of the
different countries represented
Frank Kramer and Marcel Dupuy,
forming the American French team, re
celved the greatest storm of cheers,
while Reggie Mcnamara and Jake Magin
and francisco Verri and Pete Drobach
were almost as enthusiastically greet
ed. Some of the riders familiar in
previous races, notably Oscar Egg and
Bobby Walthour, were absent last
night, but there are several new teams
this year from which much is expected.
AT 10 o'clock Manager Johnston en-
tered the press box and tearfully an
nounced that the notorious Hard Boiled
Egg championship race, such note
worthy feature at the Garden last wear.
would not be held. According to John
ston, the only reason the Hard Boiled
title was not contested for last night
was because the present champion so
far outclassed all competition that the
other Eggs refused to go on the track.
knowing defeat would be their portion.
The management of the race vainlv
tried to tempt the great CHAMPION
into giving an exhibition behind motor
pace, Offering him Il princely bonus for
one-mile dash around the track. The
noble Egg, however, refused all offers.
saying the unwritten law of the Nest
prevented him from riding except
against his brother Eggs After cast
ing a look of whitening scorn at the
craven Hard Boiled the CHAMPION
took the seat of honor in track-side
box and watched Frank Kramer and
Reggie Mcnamara dash around the
Mad son Avenue turn as they sprinted
for the lead.
Kramer and Mcnamara, recognized
as among the two fastest riders in the
six-day race, were anxious to make a
favorable impression on the great Egg
Champion, and rode at reckless pace
around the track. Both were rewarded
by glance of recognition and were
overcome with emotion and gratitude
Editors Note-Why don't you ask
us WHO the CHAMPION Egg rider is.
Aunt Eleanor Ann? Go on, and ask
usi)