May 19 THE SPORTING LIFE. 15

CYCLING.HONORS EVEN.

BALD DEFEATS JOHNSON AND THE LAT­ TER RETURNS THE COMPLIMENT.

The South Takes Kiadly to Wheel Racing A Few "Records" Gathered in by the Busy B.'s Johnnie Sulked and Would Not Pace.

Atlanta, Ga., May 11. Editor "Sport­ ing Life:" The great event in cycle cir­ cles iu the South this week was the big meet bore Wednesday, May K, at Pied­ mont Park. Big guiis aud little guns were entered in tha various events, and the crowd of 12tX) spectators thoroughly enjoyed each portion of the splendid programme presented to them. The track, barring one or two rough spots, was in excellent condition, the wind was light and did not interfere in the least with fast riding, and the crowd was large aud good humored, aud, outside of too much anxiety to crowd the track to see a close tinish at the stretch, be­ haved admirably. The ollicers of the meeting were Joseph U. Johnson, Jr., referee; Ed. Roller, announcer aud clerk of the course; II. J. Pritchett, Stanhope Sams and Cliff W. Ansley, judges; John Berry, Henry Schaub nud Abe Fry, timekeepers; John Kyan aud Chauncey Foote, startars.

THE) SURPRISE OF THE DAY was the brilliant ridiug of K. O. Bald, of Buffalo, N. Y.. who, under the care­ ful training of Asa Windle, has been working hard and is in splendid physical condition. Bald by a magnificent spurt beat John S. Johuson, of Syracuse, by a nos« in the fouth race of the day, the one-mile open, class B. Johuson evi- dentl underrated Bald's spurting abili­ ties, and though ho made a terrific ef­ fort to head the youngster he missed it by but a few inches, and Bald Hew over the tape a winner, to the surprise of his many friends. This young man has a future before him in the cycling world, and if he but keeps up his prom­ ising work will make some of the cracks hump themselves hard to win from him. George Fitzsimuions, the champion of the South, carried off the honors of the day, winning the three events in which he entered in masterly style. Fitzsluinions is from Greensboro, N. C., and his riding would do credit to a class B man, which class he really should ride under, as his speed and spurting abilities would warrant the be­ lief that he would hold his own with the host in the business. George I<\ Tay- lor, of Boston, was not in the best of form, and merely rode to- make things Interesting, which he certainly did, and to help out his friend Johnson in a tight finish.

THE FIRST EVENTof the day was the one-mile novice, with the following entries: John Toole, E. H. Webb, H. W. Port, \V. C. Johnson, Calvin Holmes, Alton Brooks. J. H. Holder, Palmer Waltham and E. B. fclmtterfield. At the Hash of the pistol the boys shot off, well bunched, and at the half they weje all up together. At the three-quarter post, N. C. Johnson spurted, closely followed by Webb and Shatterfield, aud the trio finished in the order named, Webb straining every muscle to overcome Johnson's lead, but without avail. The first half was made in 1.201/2, the mile iu 2.43%.

The next event, theHALF MILE OPEN. CLASS A,

had the following entries: Hugh Car­ penter, 0. D. Bollfs and George E. Quinn, of Atlanta; George Fitzsimmons, of Greenville, N. C.; II. V. Connerat, of Savannah, Ga., and D. G. Farmer, of Savannah. This race proved a "loafer," none of the entries exerting their powers until near the half-mile turn for home, when a general spurt was inaugurated, Bolles coming to the front with a rush, but near the tinish Fitz caught him, aud won by a yard in a splendid wind-up, with Bolles pushing him hard for second, and Farmer a good third. Time, one-qmirter, 41'/j sec­ onds; half mile, 1.19. Bolles" riding in this race was a revelation to his admir- trs, and he certainly is a comer and will be heard from in the future. The third race was a one mile event for boys. Entries: Kendall Spear, Eugene Compton, Logan Clarkn, Alton Brooks ind Calvin Holmes. The first quarter was very slow, the hoys evidently fear- Ing overexerting themselves and reserv­ ing their powers for the finish, which was hot aud furious. Kendall Spears won neatly, coming up with a rush at the finish, passing Calvin Holmes and Alton Brooks, who finished after him In the order named. Time, 8.0314. The fourth race, one mile open, class B, brought cut

THE CItACKS.E. O. Bald, of Buffalo, N. Y.; George K Taylor, of Boston, Mass., and John S. Johnson, of Syracuse, N. Y., being the three" entries. There was a time limit of 2.30 placed upon this race by Referee Johnson, and, sa'd to relate, the. cracks did not seem to consider the limit as binding, but took things easy and loafed shamefully. First Taylor set the pace, and at the quarter Bald re­ lieved him, but at the half Johnson re­ fused to take the lead, and Taylor again took it. with Bald and Johnson folkw- Ing in easy style until the very last round of the turn to the stretch, when Bald let hituself out and got the lead, riding as steady as an old stager, and nutting the wind at a furious gait. Johnson passed Taylor with a rush, and, buckling down to hard work, his pedal- ers worked furiously, and he did his ut­ most to catch the Hying Bison, but with­ out avail, as Bald rode without a sweive and fairly outdid himself, winning by three inches. As the time was away beyond the limit, 2.501,4, the referee gave them the alternative of racing tha event over again or declaring the race off, and, as they did not seem in­ clined to try conclusions again, he called the race off, and the prizes, therefore, for that event did not go. The fifth race one mile, 2.40, Class A was won by Fitzsimmons. with Bolles a good second and W. E. Schenck, of Greens­ boro, N. C., third; time 2.40>Mj. The sixth race two mile open, Class B, proved to be the prettiest event of the day. A limit of six n.inutes was placed upon, it by the referee, and the cracks barely saved their bacon, but the beauty of the event was the magnificent finish. The boys went at it at a fair gait, reel­ ing off the mile in 3.04% and the mile and « half in 4.40\4- After passing the stands for the last half the order of their going was Bald, Johnson and Tay­ lor. At this point Johnson nodded to Taylor, who flew past them both like a shot, and before Bald ?ould recover gained a clear thirty yards on him. Bald immediately settled down to work, closely dogged by Johnson, and at the last turn, the riding was furious. Here Johuson showed up with the fastest sprint of the day, passing Taylor in the straight stretch home, and coming down the line bent double and his legs working with the rapidity of a piston rod. He crossed the tape like a flash, three feet ahead of Taylor, with Bald a good third: time, S.531/^. This magnificent finish

brought the audience to their feet, and the applause was deafening. Cheer after ch«er greeted Johnson as he came back toward his training quarters, aud he had to doff his cap repeatedly be­ fore the audienctt would cease their applause.

The seventh race was the five mile handicap, Class A, with the following entries: R. V. Connerat, scratch; George I1 itzsimmong, scratch; D. G. Farmer, ,5 yards; E. P. Chalfant, 20 yards; C. D. Bolles, 25 yards; George E. Quinn, 23 yards; H. A. Capertou, 50 yards; W. E. Schenck, 80 yards; W. C. John­ son, 100 yards; P. P. Davis, 200 yards; Gus Cactles, 230 yards; E. H. Webb, 300 yards; P. DeWitt, 310 yards; J. H. Holder, 320 yards; Kendall Spear, 375 yards. The scratch men caught the field at the fourth lap, and from then on it was a pretty bunch, Fitz­ simmons crossing the line a winner, with Connerat a good second and Botles third. The time was, mile, 2.40; three miles, 8.491/3; fourth mile, 12.13% and fifth mile, 15.2514. The referee then announced that J. S. Johnson would try to break the Georgia track record of 1.12, Hying start. Taylor paced him for the quarter and the fell out, John­ son, riding magnificently, coming down the stretch with a tremendous burst of speed, crossing the line in 1.05, thus lowering the record seven seconds. The last event on the programme was the race of Jack Prince against a trotting horse for half a mile. Prince won eas­ ily, as the horse did not show any speed at all and broke several times.

The prizes offered were as follows: First race First, silk umbrella; second, pair patent leather shoes. Second race First, bicycle suit; second, sweater. Third First, parlor ritle; second, ball and bat. Fourth First, Eagle Altair Bicycle No. 6; second, suit of clothes. Fifth First, half dozen neglige shirts; second, Youman hat. Sixth First, Eng­ lish driving cart; second, gold-filled watch. Seventh First, diamond stud (value $50); second, shot gun; third, par of pants; fourth, half dozen scarfs.

After the races the visiting wheelmen were entertained by the local club at their elegant club rooms on Edgewood avenue. Refreshments were served and short speches and a general good time served to make the visitors pass a very pleasant evening. Percy Putnam one of the charter members of the club, acted as master of ceremonies, assisted by President Eugene Thomas and Cap­ tain Herbert Post. By unanimous vote of the club members E. C. Bald, George Fitzsimmons and Asa Windle were elected honorary members of the club. Some of Jack Prince's humorous stories were very much enjoyed by the crowd and the meeting did not break up until the wee small hours. Johnson and Tay­ lor could not stay over to the entertain­ ment, but left the city immediately after the races for Savannah. Bald and his trainer leave for Greensboro, N. C., after which they go to New York to get rested and in shape for the Spring­ field races. He has the best wishes of his many Atlanta admirers, who will watch his record closely and predict a promising future for tho young crack.

AL WEI.VFELD.

FEATHER-WEIGHTS.A SAD RESULT OF THE EXISTING

CRAZE FOR LIGHTNESS.

Wheels Have Reached the Danger Line in Lightness, and a Halt Should be Called America Should Heed This Lesson.

The Stanley Track, Liverpool, was last week the scene of a distressing acci­ dent, whereby a member of the Liver­ pool Police C. C., named Enoch Law- ton, a young racing man, lost his lifi>. He was training on the track, and, whin traveling at a high rate of speed, the fork of his machine broke, cud he was precipitated head foremost on the ground. When picked up he was un­ conscious, nud remained so until his death, which took place a few hours af­ terwards. At the Coroner's inquiry the question of the construction of tho ma­ chine ridden by the deceased came In for much consideration, the Coroner and the jury going very fully into the mat­ ter. W. J. Wright. tho maker, stated that he had made the machine with his own hands, aud for his own riding, but being unable to execute an order in time enough for Lawton, he had allowed him to take that one. The machine weighed about 25 pounds, nnd the forks were of 20-gauge tubing. There was no sign of a flaw in the metal where the fracture occurred. The Coroner, having addressed the jury, the foreman return­ ed a verdict to the effect that Lawton died from a fracture of the skull and laceration of the brain, and that the machine he was riding was built of too light a tubing. No blame attached to the maker of the machine.

"The Cyclist" dealing with this un­ fortunate affair thus uses it as a moral to adorn a tale of the iinhealthfulness of the present craze for lightness.

After the fullest possible inquiry, the verdict of the Coroner's court, which was held last week in Liverpool to inquire into the unfortunate death of Enoch Lawton, was to the effect that it was the direct outcome of

TUB CliAZB FOR LIGHT MACHINES.Lawton, a 150 pound policeman, bad­

gered the maker of his machine to build him as light a machine as he could possibly construct. Instead of doing this, however, the maker supplied him with a machine built by himself ior his own personal use, and which, on present reckoning, would, wpt appear to the casual observer to be an extra light machine at all, seeing that it was intended as a purely racing mount, for its weight was between 25 and 20 pounds. The cycling world knows thaf this is not light for a racing machine as things go to-day. They know that the average weight of a racing machine is two or three pounds less than the fig­ ure named, whilst many riders are be­ striding machines under 20 pounds. But it must not be forgotten that the aver­ age racing man is lighter than Lawton was, nnd the fact that no fatal acci­ dent has hitherto happened through the breakage of a machine upon the pnth does not go to prove that machines are not more often than otherwise too light for tho work required of them, if safety is to be considered at all. None have more strongly opposed the unreasoning craze for lightness than "The Cyclist," and this unfortunate accident goes much to strengthen our case. The only wonder is that alarming accidents of this charac­ ter are not more frequent.

AS A ilATTEU OF FACT,this is by no means the first light ma­ chine which has given way at the forks and thrown the rider, but all we have heard of previous instances has been the fact that "So aud-so had a bad smash the other night," aud, as bad smashes are not unusual among racing men, no one but the victim thinks any more about it. In every one of these instances there was absolutely nothing to prevent the rider meeting with a similar fate to that which be­ fell the unfortunate Liverpool policeman. In short, it was pure luck that they es­ caped as lightly as they did. In the case before us we learn that Lawton had! ridden the 'machine in question about 100 miles over some of the worst roads in Lancashire, and it is not at all unlikely that the fracture which caused his dea'th owed its origin to undue strain­ ing upon one of these rides. So far as we are enabled to judge t>y the evi­ dence adduced at the inquest 110 ques­

tion of bad workmanship arose at all. The fracture wa* higher up the tube than where it would be affected by the brazing, and the tubing Itself was of the bent. It is, however, distinctly unfair to expect an unsupported 20- gauge tube to withstand the strain which would be placed upon it in rough road- riding by a moderately heavy rider, and it appears to be perfectly plain that the contention of the maker of the ma­ chine, that it was

TOO LIGHT FOB THE BOAT) AND RIDER,was absolutely and entirely the sole cause of the accident. We have before spoken out for greater strength in this very part, for if we remember rightly a fatal accident occurred from an identi­ cal cause a couple oi' years back, as well as several nasty accidents of a less se­ vere character, th< ugh in these instances they happened to road-riders and not to racing men. There is no doubt that at the present time tho demand for light­ ness iu a machine is nothing more nor less than a craze. Speed, or fancied speed, is sought at the expense of every other necessary point, including safety, iu a machine. If Lawton's death proves the means of in any way checking this unhealthy and dangerous demand, he will not have been sacrificed iu vain, but surely it should not require such ter­ rible lessons as this to inculcate sense and reason into the minds of a body of men who are supposed to be, in some de­ gree at any rate, at least equal to, if not above, the mental calibre of their fellows. In addition to the question of the actual lightness of the machines themselves there is filso the very im­ portant one of the tieatmeut of those machines when purchased. Probably had Lawton confined his riding upon the ma­ chine in question to the path it would have lasted him the season without ac­ cident, but, as one witness said, "when people bought light machines they were very careful for a week or two, but after that all care vanished, r.ud they rode it at all rates." ___

BITS OF_RACIM NEWS. An English racer is dubbed "Texas

Jack." A French racer glories in the uame of "Excel." The Irish mile record is uow 2 minutes

22 4-5 seconds. Tyler rides at 160 pounds aud Is down

to that weight now. Wheeler's "malaria" is now said to be a

genuine KusBtau princess. Danish racing men are iu future to

ride In registered colors. The Raciug Board is similar to Justice

iu one respect It is B-Hued. Why should pawnbrokers be reviled?

Do tu<-y uot keep the amateur pledge? The scratch mini never tnk^s more

Uiau a passing interest Iu tbe mark men. It is always best for a mau in a raco

to keep his temper. No one else wauts

Touching orations Speaking to the dealer about- his donating a race meet prize.

Corre Is the first man Iu the world to ride low kilometres upon au opeu-air track. The amateur of theory Is no more like

tho amateur of fact tliuu a photograph is like a mau.

Racing tires are gettiug smaller and smaller. One lucb aud a quarter Is tho sizo at present. Tlie time limit of the Waukesha-Mll-

waukue rottd race has beeu reduced from 1^ to 10 minutes.

Iu classifying amateurs the League has caused Us racing men to make u. B Hue fur professionalism.

A movement Is to be made In England to still further reduce the amateur prize limit of valuation.'

Hermet. tue 'French crack, says he thinks '/Am. aud Wheeler outclass all the ottier foreign racing mou uow in 1'aris.

The ".Scotit^li Cyclist' says Zim was wider than Napoleon because be has taken a train which docs uot stop at Waterloo.

The Dutch Cyclists' Uuion has de­ clared against Class B. EveU a Dutchman will not recoguizj America's hybrid ajuu- teur.

Terront has ridden from Home to Paris In U days. W/i hours. The distance la 1250 miles, aud he finished the task on Wednesday.

Under the League's new amateur defi­ nition many a racing man is anxiously humming that old uyiun: "What will tue harvest BY"

"Cracker Jack" is turning out bis usual quota of pros, ill tho South. The Kacing Board should sharpen Its little hatcliet aud get to work.

Rochester values Its prizes for one day's racing at !j;:>000. Rochester must have used a ten-horsepower infiator ou that valuation. At a forthcoming English race meet

wliat they term au "olde fusliiouude hobbo horse" race will form one of the evouts ou the programme.

English racing men have formed a combination tu protect themselves from the growing evil of too many entries beiug acceptej for a race.

Sanger will not have to work off much more llesh to be Iu prime condition. His rluing weight is 18U pounds, lie Is with­ in 4 pounds of that now.

Tha law of chance may rule to some ex­ tent Iu racing, but It Is noticeable that it Is generally in favor of the racer who does uot take any chances.

At the finish of the Irvington-Mlllburn road race, 2OU yards will be roped In to prevent the crowd frojn surging ou the road, as they did last year.

Shorelaud applied for nn amateur li­ cense over a month ago and has uot yet learned whether he Is to be allowed to rids as an amateur or uot.

Sti'anga things happen. Troy arrives In Paris, and Wheeler wins his lirst race there just one week after Troy takes hold of him. See the connection V

Jlllson says he has noticed that some would-be racing men are a great deal like rivers. When their beads are swelled yon realize it from their mouths.

Both milkers and riders would be far safer In dealing with the question of light machines If riders would not abuse the machines when they got them. The entry of A. B. Fuller, of Phila­

delphia, for the Irvingion-Milburn road race his been refused by the Metropoli­ tan Associatltn of Cycling Clubs. A stock company has been formed In

France to construct a uumlier of race tracks In the smaller French cities and to organize a regular racing circuit upon them. "If the scratch men had done what

they should have done, the record would have been brought down below lh., 10m.," said James Clarkc at the conclusion of the Lluscott road race.

Wheeler must be coming round to his old form. Ou Wednesday be won the 2">- kilouietro race from a Held of racing cracks in grand shape. "Billy" Martin finished fifth in the same race.

"Charl" Murphy U credited with doing a half in 1.00 1-5 at Syracuse on Satur­ day. Perhaps Klm was right when he told tins hustlers after his amateur gaudals to keep nn eye ou Murphy. It is popularly supposed that a man

Is most courageous when his stomach is full; still It is not wise to acquire cour­ age for a hard raco by filling the stomach just prior to the event.

ganger says that the mile In competi­ tion record will be cut down to nearly two minutes this year. Competition is going to be fierce and Iu the race to till Zimuier- man's shoes records will fall.

The Springfield Bicycle Club celebrated Its thirteenth anniversary Monday night at the Massasoit House. Nearly 150 guests aided the famous club In celebrating its unlucky numbered anniversary.

The builders of the famous Herne FJII1 track are under contract to construct one of the same kind In Brussels, and have guaranteed that the Belgian track shall be faster than the original English one.

Springfield, O., has a club of 25 mem­ bers, which has uo dues, no club house a-iJ 110 expense, yet has IfiiOO In the treas­ ury and has donated $100 to charity. Most of tills amount was made on race meets.

Dumbletou now keeps Sanger at work on a wheel geared to sixty-six inches, but bv the time of the Waltliam meet the gear will he liu-roawd to seventy-two inches, ryler rides steadily ou a. wheel which la geared to ulxty-eijjlit Inches.

WITH HIS

has sailed for France for fun.

This is our way of making $ $ $, but

THERE ARE OTHERS.

Now, why not secure the agency while

you can. Did you ever hear us tell

about a catalogue for everybody or a

sundry sheet for Dealers?

Drop us a line at

Raleigh Cycle Co.289 Wabash Ave., Chicago. 2081-2083 Seventh Ave., New York. San Francisco.

'.'.'Name £ G uaran teePRICE,

HAS MORE IHPORTANT IMPROVE­ MENTS THAN ANY BICYCLE HADE

fflff. Co., a. G. Spztldinsi & Bros.IKERP, SPECIAL AGENTS.

Chlcopee Falls, Mass. New York, Chicago, Phlla.

America claims her racing men ride for $ spued, England says her's race for £ love of sport, but France alone is frank enough to admit that her's ride for money. Simply a case of two hypocrites uud one truth-teller, that's all.

"Eddie" McDowcll, who has been al­ ternately a "champion" roller skater and cycle racer, now nyplres to pugilistic hon­ ors, having recently fought a prize fight near Harrlsburg Iu which he put his op­ ponent to sleep In the second round.

The Frenchmen. In their search after assumed names for racing purposes seem to have exhausted the French language and turned to the English one im n suvior, since we see one of the Galllsh cracks sporting the name of "Swiftness." The reason why Fred. Graves.of Spring­

field, and Harry B. Arnold, of New Brit­ ain, the two scratch men at Saugus Sat­ urday, did not show up was because Chairman Raymond would not allow them to ride in Class A events, as .he considers

The international race at the Buffalo Velodrome. Paris, ou Sunday, was won by a Frenchman. Martin, an American, de­ spite the fact that during the race, two accidents happened to the tires of his machine, came In second. Ashiuger was last.

Sanger laughs at Johnson, says he talks too much, or lets Eck, his trainer, talk too much In his behalf. Sanger says he will race Johnson any time for as large an amount as he can raise, providing the national raciug board will sanction such a race.

T. J. Keenan, Jr., manager of the BiifTalo-Pittsburg road race, has written to Frank E. Kllpfel, of the Ramblers B. ('., saying that the race will be open to Buffalo and Erie riders and a time limit will be put on the event to keep out the "plug" riders.

Press dispatches state that Benlto Zala- mi'a. "the South American champion," won a half-mile handicap at Syracuse on Sat­ urday. We would like a bit more Infor­ mation about Benito, and what particular portion of South America he claims the championship of.

Jean Allard, the winner of th» race from Kennei to Brest and back, covered the distance, 310 miles, in 21 hours, 56 minutes, in spite of the weather, the state of the roads In some parts and the hilly course, thus accomplishing a somewhat re­ markable performance.

Bermuda believes In long distance tim­ ing for short distance racing. A mile race was recently run there, on one of the fa­ mous coral roads, In which the time was taken by the drop of a flag at the start, watched through Held glasses by the tim- ers, who were seated at the finish, & mile away.

The Augusta (Ga.) papers credit Jack Prince with doing live miles In 12.57 and six miles In in.47. which they claim is thi> best record ever made south of Mason and Blxon's line, and Is 33 seconds faster than the five miles made by Arthur Zlm- mprman while he was in Augusta last No­ vember. Following the course of the artists,

the actors and others In Franee who hold wheel races for their craftsmen onlv, the big "Macy"-llke establishments in Paris, known as the Bon Marohe, the Magazlns cle Louvre, and the Magazln du Trln- temps, are goiug to have special races of their own.

Sanger, on his way from Denver to Springfield was Interviewed about John- sou's chances for the coming season, and hod no hesitancy Iu saying that Tomc?c'3 tomale would "be well, well beaten by a dozen men." Vi'e think that Sanger has made the number of beaters a bit ovor large.

Permission has been granted Hyslop, the Canadian champion, to rldo In Class A races at Waltham on Decoration Day. This courtesy has been extending pending the receipt of credentials from the Cana­ dian Whelmen's Association and the result of further inquiry a* to bis right (0 coui- Dute 111 Uiis claa*.

A movement Is under way In England to do away with the secret meeting of tho N. 0. TJ., and to have same open to mem­ bers of the press. The L. A. W. might profit by this and not wait until an up­ rising takes place here, which might result disastrously to the little big-bugs In con trol of League affairs.

A cyclist starts out for a training spin at 12 o clock noon. He rides at a uniform speed of 20 miles per hour until his tire punctures, when he Immediately turns round and walks home at 8% udles per hour, and arrives home at 4.45. How far was he from homo when his tire punc­ tured ?" No prizes are offered iu this com­ petition.

Because a light racing machine has not broken yet is no argument that It Is still not liable to do BO, aud should be uo authority to the owner of it for sub­ jecting It to still more severe strains at a period when, having perhaps already endured more than It waj* calculated to bear, it is less capable of withstanding them even than at first.

As statements had been published to tho effect that the Linscott course Is short, a surveyor has filed a curtlilcate showing it to be exactly 25 miles In length. A claim for record, ou the strength of Butler's time of 1 hour 11 nilin.tes 28 1 5 seconds, will be forwarded to the Ccutury Road Club, of Chicago, which hag assumed jurisdiction over road racing.

The cycle record fever finds Its vic­ tims everywhere. It constitutes a new folly the monomania of speed, more piti­ less, more dangerous than any other spe­ cies of mental disease. Those who have been struck with it, unless some check or serious accident has remedied thfir case, arc subject to its attacks for many years without any means of curiug It with ordinary remedies.

Luuisdeu and Barrett, while racing along the Chicago boulevards last week, collided with a carriage containing two ladies, smashed their wheels and caused a runaway. The ladies were hurt, hut the cyclists came out without a scratch. We suppose Editor Barrett was gathering ma­ terial for un article ou the evils of scorching on the public highways when misfortuue overtook him.

Brcsler declnrcs that In Michigan the recent workings of the League have dis­ gusted the old members, and they arc ready to form a new association. If this Is done, there will be no classes A and B, but amateur and professional riders, and both will be governed by the new league. The promoters of the new organization, too, will not debar colored riders. We think Bres. is just "bluffln'."

Here are some of the colors placed opposite the names of well-known riders on the programme of a recent race meet­ ing: Green, pink cross; pink, black spots; white, blue stars; chestnut aud lilac; black and yellow cheuk; black, red stars; vio­ let; blue and white stripes. There should be no trouble In identifying the various riders on French tracks if the use of such distinctive colors Is general.

He wan an Englishman, In charge of a professional compatriot who was riding In a French road race; and he rushed Into a wayside Inn to ask, as best he could, for a kilogramme of bananas. But his French played him false he asked for a kilometre of tha lengthy fruit. Aud the Innkeeper, accustomed to British eccen­ tricity, merely remarked: "We have not so much In the place, monsieur."

Last week Victor Stoth the Belgian speed merchant, accomplished a feat which attracted much attention among the fol­ lowers of cycling. For a let, M. Stotli undertook, without steering gear and with his hands In his pockets, to go from the Galeries St. Hubert to the Place Hoyale and buck. Although the route selected was not by any means au easy one M. Stoth was successful and h&nded over the amount of the wager to % newspaper for charitable purposes.

has dug up aw ancient law of

the N. C. U., which forbids racing upon any but a grasn track for prizes originally given for events ,which have to be run a certain number of times before they be­ come the actual property of the winner. Ai the number of grass tracks Is rapidly de­ creasing, it Is thought that this rule will cause a number of famous challenge cups and trophies to be handed over to their present holders without the final winning of them being demanded.

Mr. Raymond says that he wants to correct a misunderstanding In regard to the character of prizes for Class A events. He says general merchandise cannot b« offered In such competitions. The rul« reads: "Medals, diplomas, plate., jewelry and cycle sundries." This permits, h« says, medals of all kln<«, all articles of silverware, every description of jewelry and anything pertaining to cycling. No one article to exceed $50 in value. Ha warns race promoters not to violate tliia rule.

Chapman, a well-known trainer oj English long-distance racers, has this to say about the use of »lcohol in such events: "No. alcohol should uot be taken In any form except in the lust half-hour, and then whoever Is in charge must be very careful, as otherwise It might cniise a maa serious injury, If it stimulated him to such an extent as to force him to exception*! exertion In an exhausted condition. Ex­ citement will often keep a inan going towards the end of a race, and Intoxl- canti generally are to be avoided. Soda and milk is one of the safest drinks."

Nine Massi chusetts riders belonging In F.ssex County lave been relented to Clasa B lists by the Racing Board of tbe Leagua of American Wheelmen for commoting for prizes worth more than !fr>0 at the April 19 meet at Lanreucu Driving Park. Tha man are C. F. Copp, Kdwlu McGrntb, C. H. Olc.ver, J. A. Roberts, of Haverhill; John Smith, F. K. Young, George Hobbs aud Ki-bert Corkhill of Lawrence, aud J. F. McCarthy, of North Andover. All ns- nert that they wore not to blame, and-that it was simply a blunder of the tonruaiuent mai Egers. They will ask that the decision be reversed.

The process of laying tbe methalithia surface of the Waltliam track is an In- teiesting one.. First, from 8 to 10 iuches of coarse font ded rock un,l cement are put dowa as a foundation. 'Ilien comes a- layer one inch thick, powdered rock, on top of which Is laid the metuallthlc, one inch in thickness. In the homestretch the metualitliic is three iucbes iu thick­ ness, aud at the pole and upper turn eight inches. The stretch has been widen­ ed four feet. The turns have a grade of 2'/j inches to the foot. The homestretch la 40 feet wide, the turns 25 feet wide and the backstretoh 2O feet. The grand stand is to be extended as far as the bleachers, on the right, and will seat something lik« Mi) additional persons.

When we consider that the largest and leading manufacturers of raciug ma­ chines charge extra and specially high prices for constructing machiues below weights which they evidently consider quite light enough for all purposes, It shows that the manufacturers themselves are fully alive to the fact that exceed­ ingly light machines cannot be considered safe, aud also that they are not willing to turn out such machines- unless they are paid extra for tiie large amount of ad­ ditional care and special work which has to be bestowed upou a machine of ex­ ceedingly light weight to make it as safa as possible, even with the advantage of the highest class of special machinery, tools uud workmanship. In arranging the Canadian relay race

an enthusiast makes the following sugges­ tion in a recent issue of a Toronto dally: "Would It not be a good idea to put up notices along the route, asklug par­ ties living there to close their dogs up on the day the riders would pass, and also if they would kindly turn out and give riders the full road. I will willing post up such notices, say, one week before the race, and I have no doubt others In charge of districts would have it done. It would very very annoying to have u dog at each farmhouse cauter out and chase you probably a mile, and to meet a team or buggy and have, some old fossil farmer sit in his buggy square iu the road, and make you get off your wheel und walk around him just about the time you doa't want to stop and arguo the point." In Germany the high machine seem»

to be making a much more determined stand iu the "struggle for life" than has been tha casa in England. Many evi­ dences go to show that German riders, unlike our own racing men, have by no means discarded tb^ "ordinary" for rac­ ing purposes. The "Vorwarts" C. C., of Lutveek, include a couple of "ordinary" events In their meeting, nnd at the sports to be held at Leipsig on the same date two races are confined exclusively to riders of the G. O. O., pure and simple, free from all complications of "gearing up." Still, thorp are many symptoms that the end, although perhaps delayed, is none the loss surely approaching. Among oilier tokens may be noted the discontinuance of the "ordinary" races usually held at Nuremburg, and the consequent lapse this year of the "ordinary" championship of South Germany.

S. A. Nelson, who Is now training at Herne Hill, is a typical American, says the "Cycle." He has fair hair and a weather-beaten visage, with an expansive smile, stands about 5 feet 10 iuchea In height, and wears a slouch hat, long gray cout, and a camera. On a machine he as­ sumes much the same pose as that adopt­ ed by Oxborrow, and his leg action U very similar to that of /immeriimn. He has only been training three weeks, aud Is still employed getting used to our com­ paratively small tracks. Unlike Kliumy, he talks freely and has a quaint descriptive method. He can do something besides ride a bicycle, and is a member of the amateur champion polo team of Springfield. He baa raced for some four seasons Iu America, and Is waiting the pleasure of the licens­ ing authorities to take part iu competi­ tions here.

Sanger Is no admirer of Johnson. In a recent Interview he is reported to have said: "Johuson will know more before the season is ended. I predict he will be well beateu by a dozen men. His confidence Is not everything. Other fellows have confi­ dence, too, and the country is full of speedy fellows. I see Johnson is reeling off miles in 2.07. That's good. It is fust work, but the season Is a long one., and this speed which he Is now showing may be wanted by aud by more than It is now. I have not ridden a mile this year inside of 'A minutes. I tried a quarter the other day in Denver, nnd covered the ground hi .20. What Is the good of getting ready till you want to'race? I see Johnson l» doing miles In 2.07 and halves in 1.02, and the first race of the year nearly three weeks away. A man can get speed in three weeks."

They are at thplr little, tricks In Purls, are the ex-amateur raciug men. An Eng­ lish exile was hired by a French maker to ride the maker's wheel for a salary of $15 per week. Dressing room talk convinced the ex-amateur that another ex was getting more money from the same maker as well as a honorarium from the tire maker, so the px-amateur demanded $25 per week from the French maker and got It. Now the ex- amateur was a minor, so the Frenchman made his father sign the contract as the racer's guardian. All during the winter sea­ son the foxy racer drew his $25 per week and did little for It in the way of racing, Now the season has opened he has thrown over the maker and hired himself to a rival one for more money, he having be­ come of age In the meantime and his father's signed contract being no longer binding upou him.

An English trainer has been telling tho "Bl. News" about the food he gives to his charges when engaged In long-dis­ tance rides. He says: "First. I should get the best grapes (nothing but the best will do), plenty of new-laid eggs,well-boiled chicken the leg of a chicken handed to a man Is often just the sort of thing to suit him to gnaw at when he Is having a bad time the boiled chicken should ba very well done. Rice pudding well boiled Is also useful, although I am beginning to think that It does not get masticated suf­ ficiently. Sago is very useful as a change. Fruit is an Important feature, and here It may astonish you to know that I much prefer the best brau'ds of canned fruit to any fresh - fruit that can be purchased. The reason Is that all the woody matter is cut out, and the fruit that Is canned is of tho very best quality. This being so, canned fruit Is to be preferred, and the best brand only of that. Plenty of soda water and lemonade are a necessity."

Raymond's Class B.He'd work a revolution, A righteous evolution

He'd clothe the racer's life with a new resolve; But it was tho sajue old story, And vanished all its glory

ye found Uie revolution won't revolve.