Evening Star Newspaper, January 30, 1897, Page 17

THE EVENING z ° = e 4 ° = ol <| STAR, SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 1897-24 PAGES. Veena 2! duituass NED REX 410; Ny ton SOME PROMINENT MEN IN THE L. A. W. THE L. A. W. ASSEMBLY | Is to Be Held in Albany in Feb- ruary. —— HISTORY OF THE ORGANIZATION lts Doings Will Be Closely Watched | by All Bicyclists. | | pa GOOD ROADS QUESTION by the HE yt { of Ame AS sembly of the League Wheel- q men, will be \ held in Albany dur- ing the second week of next month, will undoubtedly be the most interesting in the history of the or- ganization. During the past year the membership has nea doubled and now mbe! organizations throughcut the world. Its apnual convention is rally of the ut- ance and interest to wheelmen. most imp Notwit comparativ g its past achievements, y few know the early history of L. A. W. or the men who have vake it famous. It was organized . 1880, at Newport, R. L, upon i of C. Kirk Monroe, president of New York Bicycle Club, who first tkeught only to bring as many wheelmen as possible together for a day of pleasure. Later it was decided that an organization would he of benefit in many ways, and the scope of the meeting was considerably en- lerged. Delegates were requested from the few bicycle clubs then in existence, and a formal organization was effected at the Newport meeting. ‘The name proposed by Samuel T. Clark of Baltimore, “The League of American Wheelmen,” was adopted and the follow- | ing officers were elected: President, Charles E. Pratt, Boston; vice president, Thomas K. Longstreet, Philadelphia; commander, C. K.rk Monroe, New York; corresponding secretary, J. Frank Burrill, New York; treasurer, Hugh L. Willoughby, Saratoga. The objects as set forth in the constitu- tion prepared by Mr. Pratt were: “To pro- mote the general interests of bicycling, to ascertain, defend and protect the rights of men, and to encourage and facilitate The regulation of track racing has since been added. Upon this platform 1c has steadily grown in numbers at the present time it has aa enroll- i) members. Here is a officers of the past to edit is due for many undertakings the the lished: ISS, Chas. E. Pratt, Boston; . Cha Pratt. Boston; 1862, Wm. H. ler, . Ohio: 183-'86, N. Malon Beckwith, New York; iss7-'88, T. J. Kirk- patrick, Springfield, Obio; 1889, Chas. H. omb, New York; 1, James R. . Massillon, Ohio; 93, Charles L. Chas." H. Luscomb, New ©. Willison, Cumberland, 3 18%, Sterling Elliott, Boston. | To the league the wheelmen of the United States owe the many liberties which are the for it was to its; members that the various courts of the | country were compelled to acknowledge | | the vehicular nrough it have Is been bi privileges of wheels and ny hundreds of miles of The present high char- acter of cycle racing is also due to the able government of the league, which stands today the greatest ath overning body in the ry meeting officers will be nsuing year and needed ion will be enacted. The particular t will be the selection of the for which honor there are now vowed candid s, Isaac B. Pot- York and Sterling Elliott, the present Incumbent, of Boston. Both have become famous for thelr work in behalf of cycling and either would be a credit to any organization. Mr. Potter is best known for his endeavors to secure im- provement in highways and in promoting legislation of vital importance to wheel- men. He was instrumental in securing the passage of the “Liberty bill,” by which the parks of New York were thrown open to wheels, and was the leader in getting fa- vorable action on the “Armstrong bill,” which compelled railroads of New York state to carry bicycles baggage. ‘good road: As a writer on the subject of he is known to every magazine reader. He ts now in his third term as chief consul of the New York division, which has in- creased its membership from 3,000 to over ) under his guidance. Mr. Filiott is one of the veterans of the league, and his record in the organization shows he has been the author of many valuable suggestions. He {s an inventor of no mean ability and is interested in several manufacturing industries. His term of office as president has seen a remarkable growth in membership and his executive ability 1s unquestioned. He {s the pub- lisher of the official organ of the 1 @ paper sparkling with his individuality. In the coming contest Mr. Potter is warmly supported by the members of his own adjacent divisions, and the same is true of Mr. Elliott. Both sides are working actively to secure the greatest honor with- in the gift of the wheelmen. A. Cressy Morrison of Milwaukee, the Present second vice president, will be a candidate for re-election and will be sup- ported by the northwestern states. He has already served two terms and his labors have been of so fruitful a nature that he will probably be continued in office. His election heretofore has been unanimous, a tribute to his ability. Conway W. Sams, one of the brightest -members of the Baltimore bar, has been induced to offer his name as a vice presi- dential candidate, and it is probable that he will run on the Potter ticket with Mr. Morrison. Mr. Sams has accomplished much of benefit to the south as chief consul of Maryland. Another who is spoken of In connection with the vice presidency is W. J. Connelly of Danville. Ill, known as the “silver- tengued orator of the league’ from his magnificent oratorical efforts in past as- semblics. He has not as yet consented to the use of his name, but pressure may be brought to bear which will induce him to become a candidate. It was Mr. Connelly’s eloquence that won for Asbury Park the hy r of the national meet of 1895. e. S. Hartwell, the present treasurer and the fourth candidate on the Potter ticket, is perhaps the best known wheeiman in the west. In his home city, Denver, he has been repeatedly honored by his asso- ciates. He holds an important financial position with one of the largest railroad systems in the country. Hia official dutjes during the past year have been so_per- formed as to win the admiraticn of his entire constituency, and he will probably be 1e-clected without opposition. After the election of officers the assem- bly will have many matters of the utmost intportance to consider. Amendments to the constitution and by-laws will be ‘of- fered which, change the aspect of cycling matters. Most ef these amendments have to do with the government of racing. The most important of all is one placing direct control within the jurisdiction of the racing board of each division. Under the present system the controlling body is the national racing board, appointed by the president and con- sisting of sever members. whose duty it is to punish violators of the rules, control the granting of sanctions, foster the sport and keep it free from all objectionable €le- ments. With the rapid increase in the members of racing men and promoters, the work of this board has been so great that it is an impossibility for them to give it proper supervision, and the plan proposed in the amendment is to have the state racing boards grant sanctions, make in- vestigations into infractions of the rules, and generally to assume the detail work. In cases where riders have been guilty of violating the amateur rules, the local body will report to the national board, which will be retained, and the latter will take action. The national board will also act as a court of appeals on decisions rendered by the division representatives, and will exercise a general supervision over the dis- tricts allotted to respective members. Among those who have favored this prop- osition are Chief Consuls Potter, Sams, Rotier, Kostomlatsky, Dawso: Gentle, Scherer, Edmiston, Webb, Westlake and Jaquish; Members of tke National Racing Board Croninger, Robinson and Wait; Vice Presidents Morrison and Cossum, Treasur- er Hartwell and a host of others. Students of the subject of racing are unanimous in heir approval. esr some months past the western and southern divisions have been requesting permission to conduct race meetings on Sunday, and with this end in view the Cal- {fornia and Missouri divisions have intro- duced Amendments. In these sections of the country the subject is regarded more liberally than in the east, and there is a unanimous sentiment there in its favor, but the eastern divisions are inclined to take an opposite view. It is probable that the assembly will permit Sunday racing in some states, subject to the approval of the board of officers of each division. Another important amendment is one permitting the admittance of professionals to membership. This class has been de- nied the privilege, owing to a popular prej- udice, but the objections heretofore ex- isting are no longer apparent, and many delegates have expressed a willingness to permit the passage of the amendment. From the time of the competition be~ tween Denver and Asbury Park to secure the national meet of 1894, the campaign be- tween the different cities each year has been one of the features of the assembly, but last year it was thought advisable to make the selection by a mail vote. This has not been entirely satisfactory, and the chief consul of Illinois proposes to return to the previous system. This will not af- fect the meet of ‘97, for the baliots are now out, and the annual fight will be can- spicuous by its absence. The. same officer also proposes a return to the proxy sys- tem which was abolished last year, many of the western and southern divisions not being represented, owing to the distance between their homes and the place of hold- ing the assembly. Chairman Gideon introduces an amend- ment, giving control of closed college meets to the Intercollegiate Athletic As- sociation. The demand for this has come from the colleges which desire to. pay the expenses of their athletes, which the rulea of the league would not permit in cycle racing. Chief Consul Brock of Montana will move that suspensions and transfers b; the racing board shall only be made wit! the consent of the chief consul of the state in_ which the rider resides. The chief consul of Iowa would have the racing co! of a cl to be appointed by the president, and the chairman of each of the division racing boards. One of the greatest features of the as- sembly will be “Good Roads day,” which will be devoted entirely to the discussion of the improvement of highways. The country who most prominent men in the are interested in the cause will be it, including Govs. Black of New Y¥: Wol-' cott of Massachusetts, Hastings of Penn-' sylvania, Cooke of Connecticut, Gen. Nel- son A. Miles, Gen. Ray 8| commis- stoner of highway t in the De- improvement partment of Agriculture; Lieut. Gov. W ruff of New York, and the several of the L. A. W. A t will be in the evening, at which the most nent good roads advocates will address delegates. The session will last four and the assembly will be composed of egates from every state in the Union. el i : SOME CYCLE CHAT The invention of the cyclometer, and its reduction in price has been a boon for cycling. Its use has become general, and the wheelman after a day’s ride can tell almost to within a few feet how far he has ridden. When used honestly the cyclom- eter is indeed an excellent thing, but there are plenty of riders who seek to give a false impression of the distance ridden by them by making the cyclometer show a much greater distance than they have ac- tually traveled. Figures are not supposed to lie, so it is said, but under skillful manip- ulation they can show a much different re- sult than what they should. The ways of “beating the cyclometer” are many. No; this is hardly true. The cyclometer is never beaten, and working automatically shows the actual number of revolutions of the wheel. The ways of running up the face figures are many, it should be stated; and ever since the introduction of the ma- chine some cyclists have been studying how to get a mvch larger mileage than that ac- tually ridaen. The old way was to sit on the side of a road, turn the wheel upside down, and in a comfortable position keep the front wheel revolving until the figures of the cyclometer suited the intention of the rider, who could claim to have ridden a remarkably long distance in as equally a remarkable short time. here are any number of local riders guilty of practicing this trick. Improvements are the order of the age, and the improvements in keep- ing pace with the running up of the fig- ures on the dial of the cyclometer are con- stantly appearing. it is related that one local rider started out on a big trip, or at least it was the impression that he gave before starting. It has since been found out that he covered only a small part of the distance, yet the mileage on his cyclometer was six or seven times as great. How did he do it? The facts have just leaked out. He carried along a quantity of pasteboard with him, stopped for several days at a wayside re- sort, and run his cyclometer mileage up in this wise: He cut the pastboard tp into slips resembling the blades of an oar, and bended them in position betweem the spokes of the front wheel, between the point of crossing and the rim, giving the wheel the appearance of a windmill. He turned his wheel upside down, and the wind, catching the pieces of pasteboard would carry the wheel arovnd at a lively rate, while the faithful Httle cyclometer would keep tab on every revolution. It was not necessary for the rider to be on the scene. The wind would do the work, and the cyclometer would do the rest. Zimmerman, once amateur champion of this country, and the invincible American rider who did such excellent work abroad, has one thing to his credit, and something that will probably remain unbroken for some years. He is the only rider of any note who succeeded in winning in one sea- son 101 first prizes, besides any number of seconds and thirds. This feat was accom- plished several years ago, and during that time he has added many more valuable prize souvenirs to his collection, the total conceded to be the largest number ever held by a single racing man. He has yielded to the request of the managers of the coming New York national cycle show, and will place as many of his prizes as it is possible to collect on exhibition at the show, which will open on the evening of February 6. This collection will be one of ne most interesting exhibits of the big af- ‘alr. Speaking about distances calls to mind the wonderful conception of some residents of the country districts as to the length of a mile. There are very few road riders who have not had experience in this di- rection. The inaccuracy of the people in this respect is much nearer nome than thought, though the ignorance, if it can be called such, is more dense in the farther a@way sections of Maryland and Virginia. Tke writer well remembers his first ride to Rockville, via the Conduit road and Of- futt's Cross Roads, or Potomac, to Rock- ville. This was about ten years ago, and the highways were not as well known then as now. Shortly after leaving Offutt’s Cross Roads a resident of the section was asked the distance to Rockville. “I cal’elates dat it’s ebery vit ob ten miles, fur as I kin jedge,” drawied out he. His reckoning and judging amounted to very little, as far as the inquiry was answered by another person, a colored man, who “lived erway down yander,” pointing in the neighborhood of Great Falls. “I cal’clates dats is ebery bit ob ten files, "was his reply. This - complicated affairs and made matters worse. We were in very great doubt now as to the true dis- tance. We rode on about a mile, and came across a youth of about twenty, who claimed to be familiar with every bit of land in that section of Montgomery county, “Mareeland.” That wes his boast, and he had just tramped from Rockville. “I ‘spect it’s suffin’ like three an’ a half miles,” replied- he, -and- his “speculation” proved to be nearer correct than“any of the others. We were considerably relieved his figures, A similar experience befell several ride 5 who were tor ‘irginia last year, which le distance calculat #7 came from Washingtom “‘Youse spéc's dat I-b'lieves enny fing Iildedat? Youse gen- mens suttinly didn’t come all de way on dem kerridges.” Deo “How far is Vinegat ‘Hill from here?” asked one of the tourists: tis right hyar is Vin’gar Hill,” was the reply. z “I don’t see any cit}}/ any houses,” re- plied the rider. t “Enny wat?” was thé interrogation. treets, houses, town, people. “We'se de pe'’ple erotrid hyar, but dey ain't enny ob dem ode¥ fings youse speaks ob. Mussy's sake, no dey ain't,” added she, partly to herself, by Way of emphasis. “Well, what is theré’atound this part of the country?” 253 “Nuffin’ much, ‘cept’‘is‘an’ de plain ken- try." This was self-¢vident. “What, is there no city4n this locality?” “Nop, ‘cept de churéh, ‘bout er mile ober yander, where wese goes now an’ then. Parson Johnsing, he libes, I ’spect, er mile ober dis side ob de church. Den, Miss Jones, she libes nearer de church den enny ob us.” The cyclists could get no further infor- mation and pursued their way. In France all bicycles are taxed, and the government is able to keep a tab on all of the wheels in the country. From the statistics furnished In this direction, it is found that there is one bicycle for every 250 people of the population in the country. In England there is no regular count of all of the machines in the British Isles, but the number is undoubtedly better than the showing in France. It is approximated that there is one wheel for each 125 or 100 of the population of the islands, a coni- paratively small showing, considering the fact that England has for many years been regarded as the home of the bicycle, and which for many years controlled the cycle trade of the world. Not only did England control the cycle trade, but the English riders held all of the records for racing, but this has now become a thing of the past. The riders of this country have about managed to take up all of the short dis- tance records, while the riders of France and other European countries come in for the long distance records, leaying England only a small part of her former. prestige. In this country it is estimated that about one person in every twenty-four owns or rides a wheel. This would make a total bicycling population of 3,000,000 out of a total population of about 70,000,000. ‘This is the record of the world, and no other coun- try can make such a showing, despite the fact that the roads of our country are ridi- culed by all Europeans. By many it is claimed that the bicycle population of this country is fully 4,000,000, which would still further decrease the proportion. ‘Taking it for granted that each wheel used represents an outlay of $100 on an average, it would thus appear that the total capital invested in this direction is the astoundingly large sum of $300,000,000 for the first estimate, or $400,000,000 for the second estimate, there being no exact figures as to the real proportion. Even re- ducing the average cost of the wheel, and placing the figure at $80 per machine, it would make a total outlay of $240,000,000 in one instance, and $320,000,000 in the other. These figures are hard to realize, and if applied in one lump, would reduce the na- tional debt of the country by a big frac- tion. Allowing this city a population of 250,000, and taking the estimate made over and over again that there are 40,000 riders in the city, it would give one rider to every seven of the population, or taking the riding population at 30,000, it would make one rider to every nine of the popu- lation. With the value of each wheel averaged at $100, the outlay in the first case represents $400,000 alone for cycling, or reducing the average to $80 per wheel, it would make the total cost of the wheels ridden in the city amount to $320,000, a very large sum for one city algne. The riding population of this country only represents a part of the éycles turned out by the bicycle manufactur-rs in this coun- try. Wheels from the United States are shipped to all parts of the vorld. It is calculated thr during the present season between 40,0... and 58,000 American-made wheels will be shipped to England alone and sold in competition -with the British makes. France will receive in the neighbor- hood of 25,000 bicycles fnem America this season, while the bajanee of the makes will go all over Eurape,;Asia and South America, to say nothing of the other places where a market is afforded. To meet these.demands what must be the capacity of the Ame manufactories. It seems as though the number of wheels turned out must be illimitaple. , Only eleven years ago there were:just six firms in this country making bicyeless,Now there are over 500, each with a capacity of 1,000 wheels a’year or more, not mentioning the large number ef smailer factories. The large factories, it is calewlated, can turn out in the course of a year over 1,900,000 finished wheels, while the.combined capaci- ty of the smaller factories will probably add 200,000 or 300,000 more to this. And just to think, the manufacturers are all Sanguine of finding a market for all of their goods. A company in Massachusetts hag start in to manufacture wood wheeels exclusi ly, which will be sold for $50 each. The wood frame is the distinguishing feature of the new wheel, and it is this feature that makes this bicycle of interest to wheelmen. In place of the steel tubing in the ordinary bicycle, wood rods turned out of well-sea- soned second growth rock maple or hickory are used, and instead of drop forgings or steel connections, which are used to hold the frame together, aluminum bronze metal is used. This metal is about the color of 14-carat gold. The wood rods are finished in the natural wood, antique oak, mahog- any or rosewood. The aluminum bronze used in the construction of the bicycle is strong, light and a very tough metal. It has been thoroughly tested and is claimed to be superior to steel ror this purpose. Its tensile strength is 80,000 pounds. It does not rust or tarnish, is the same color all the way through, and with an occasional wiping off with a chamois or woolen cloth, will always look. bright and handsome. it is also claimed that the wood rods have many times the strength of the steel tube used in the ordinary bicycle. There is no Possibility of the wood rods becoming de- ranged, and they are an absolute security against indentation or “buckling,” which so frequently occurs with steel frames. ol : —_.—__- A HORRIBLE SEA STORY. Told by a Castaway, Picked Up With Two Dead Companions, From the Mobile Daily Register. Capt. Petersen of the Norwegian bark Telefon, from Santos, and now loading at Ship Island, is in the city visiting his friend, the Rev. 8. Shartum, pastor of the Scandinavian Seamen’s Church. The cap- tain reports that on December 16, while on the voyage from Santos, the man at the wheel heard fearful screams, and on look- ing over the railjsaw a smait boat, with a man in the stern, flying before the wind in a heavy sea. The Telefon was hove to and a boat lowered, manned by the inate and a seaman. 2 With great difficulty they reached the boat-in the heavy sea. They found that it was partly filled with water and dirty rags. The body of a man was lying in the bow, face downward. At the stern was a man lying in ‘ition as indi- cated.that he had mgffe 2” superhuman ef- as the boat drifted -became unconscious. theylexhausted man of, vas on board en brandy to n two hours ‘as able to make andj that the occu- fyom Guadeloupe, in the. boat, was hoisted in a pi the Telefon, where revive him. At the he partially révived, Capt. Petersen un pants of the boat and had been blo to and that he had n ithout food or water for fifteen days. Hi§ companion had ied in delirium. i Capt. Petersen had toi brought, and when the exhausted man gaw it he smiled and immediately pecone delirious. Every effort was made to restore him, but he died two days later without regaining. reason, and was buried at Bea. -Capt.. Petersen says that the man was; pickea up_800 miles ie believes the stat be true,.as the boat’ had neither sails or oars, and’ the wonder is that it had not been swamped, rat a ——_+o+—__—_. ‘It runs from here to the rear of:.the store, and thence to the Bicycling during the week was killed-hy the cold weather. The opening days were anything but favorable for riding. owing to the intense cold, and the snow Wednes- day made things worse. Riding Thursday was almost impossible, and those who im- agined that they would like the crunching of the snow beneath the wheels found the poetical side of the case lost entirely, and inconveniences and hardships so great that the attempt was abandoned in quick order. Cycle Club Voting Contest. A novelty in the way of a voting contest will be introduced in the city next week in connection with the production of “Nancy Hanks” at the Academy of Music. It will be a vote for the most popular club in the city, and it is expected that considerable interest will be aroused in connection with the matter. The idea originated with Mr. Harry Askin, whé manages the company, and who introduced. the-scheme in severai other northern cities, with very successful results. The voting will commence Tucs- day evening, February 2, and will continue through Wednesday ‘evening, closing Thursday night after the performance. Every patron of the house will be per- mitted to vote. Ballots containing the names of all of the cycle clubs of the city wilt be printed, and each person voting will place a cross opposite the name of their favorite club. The ballots will be handed around between the acts by the ushers, who will also collect them. A count will be made each evening. The total sults will be counted Friday evening. This night will be known as the bicycle night, and the house will be decorated for the oc- casion with all of the different club colors. There will be bicycles in evidence, and many of the jokes of the comedians for tne occasion will be on the subject. A good many of the local clubs will engage boxes for the evening, and the night is expected to be interesting to every one. All of the clubs have been notified of the coming contest, and, of course, they will make a rally to show their strength in the voting. ‘The club securing the highest number of votes will be given a handsome silk banrer, which will be inscribed, ‘‘Pre- sented to the most popular club in Wash- ington, D. C., —, in a voting contest ai the Academy of Music, February 5, 1807. The banner will be a handsome and costly addition to any club room, and has been made specially in New York. It is expect- ed to reach the city this afternoon and Monday morning will be placed on exhibi- tion at one of the local stores. Cycle Board of Trade. Washington will not have a cycle show this year. This is the decision reached by the cycle board of trade, and is final. In taking the step a number of reasons in- fluenced the dealers against making such an exhibit. In connection with the present financial depression it was deemed unwise to go to any expense in making an exhibit, when it was thought that the result of the show would not warrant such a step. This information will be received with regret by many of the local people, who calculated upon seeeing such an exhibit this year: The cycle board of trade, it was under- stood, was organized with the giving of the show as one of the primary objects. The matter has been discussed at the various meetings of the organization, and last year the secretary was instructed to write to the national cycle board of trade and secure a sanction for the local show. The sanction ras not as yet been received, and though there is no doubt of iis being favorable, the local association has changed its mind and decided not to give the cycle show. Even if the sanction does arrive it will not be used. The proposed show was to have been held the last week in Februa As the dealers have all the say, an the only ones to support a ¢ club or individual will endeavor to start such this spring. The clearing house project, several weeks ago in The Star, has been put into practical working order. Mr. Ben. Dakin, the well-known cycle repairer and cycle detective, has been assigned in charge of the establishment, as appraiser. He has already received his appointment and started in on the business of his office. Queer Wheelmen. The “only a whisper smoker” of the Queer Wheelmen was given Monday even- ing at the club house, 1023 12th street, and Itke the other public events of the club, proved to be an excellent success. In spite of the intense cold weather, the club house was crowded all during the evening, and every one spent a pleasant time. There were refreshments served in abundance, and no one was slighted. The club quar- ters were prettily decorated and illumi- nated. The club colors were everywhere visible, with Chinese and Japanese lanterns of the same hues. The “Little German” Band played the overture, and several oth- er selections during the course of the even- ing. Paul von Boeckman, the strong man of the club, gave an exhibition of his strength, and among other things was the lifting of a 160-pound dumb bell with one hand, and tearing in bits two packs ot cavds. His chest expansion was found to be over ten inches. The Mandolin Club gave a number of selections, and various other individuals gave assistance for the evening’s program. Bob Dobbins rendered a comic song, and so did Billy Emerson and Mr. Fitzgerald. The club will enter the voting contest next week, and has been rallying its forces to secure the most votes for the banner. published -| The club has already engaged a box for the evening of Friday, February 5. Arlington Wheelmen. The Arlingtons, under the guidance of Capt.-Frank C. Potts, took a short cross- country run last Sunday, starting from 512 9th street northwest. The club rode to Benning, turning to the left and over a Toad lately explored by Lieut. Murphy of the club, to Seat Pleasant, from which place the return to the city was made over the Central avenue, via Anacostia and the navy yard, completing in all about twenty-five miles. Capt. Potts had with him Lieut. Murphy, Messrs. Stone, John and Henry Walker and “Papa” Davison. Capt. Potts hopes that more of the club members will show up on the winter runs. they being short and enjoyable and always over by dinner time. He also contemplates a mid-winter run to Brandywine, within the next three weeks, at which time he ex- pects that all of the lovers of that village will join him, host J. K. Smith having everything nice for the boys at that end of the line. President Gettinger will most likely be one of the fixtures of this trip. Lieut. Murphy has been doing some ex- ploring on his own account, and discovered @ number of new roads, some of which are excellent. As soon as the weather permits a club run will be called, and all of the new- y igcoxered| highways. inspected by the ul Altair Cycle Club. The Altair Cycle Club will hold its regu- lar monthly meeting Monday evening, at their old quarters, 1208 32d street. At this meeting the report of the committee on the new headquarters will be rendered. The committee consists of Messrs. R. W. Darby, | Walter Weaver and C. R. Murray. It is more than likely that a new committee will’ ba appointed; looking toward the improve- ment of the proposed club rooms, this mat- ter having been delayed for some few days ‘on account of the cold weather. Misfit Cycle Club. - The Misfits: started out Thursday on a novelty in bicycle riding, a snow: ride to Burnt ‘Mills. :There were’ about ten who started out, but very few reached the des- tination.’ The novelty of the situation wore and in ie eet the cate eer eg all. They had enough snow riding and re- | s:ng-out expedition for the coming summer. he club contemplates spending several Weeks at some point on the upper Potomac, mest likely near Seneca, taking with them their wheels, and making incursions into the surrounding country. So far the camp will consist. of M Miller, Friery, Dodge, Brett, Bowie and Babco Other namés are expected on the list. Centary Cycle Club. The Century Cycle Club gave a box party at the National Theater Wednesday e ing to witness the performance of Crane in a “Fool of Fortune’ The party was composed of Messrs. Charles H. Coons, Robert Williams, A. E. Weesner, Ed. 8. Byrnes, Samuel Barnhartt, Jeseph Mak- over, Hugh F. Gallagher, Harry Gore, J. Jones, George Wright and’ Frank H The club has been doing a great di There have t riding this winter. club runs‘ calléd e December 1 year, but Capt. Byrnes has made long rides with different members of the club at various times. The boys will be in fine shape for riding when season opens, and expect to chop off ber of centuries this comi The second Thursday peting at which the annual election of officers will be held. Little Joe Makover, one of the popular members, has the record of good attendance. He, with Treasurer Weesner, has rot missed a run or a meet- ing the past year. Capt. Byrnes has compiled a record of all runs, and his list shows thirty-five runs, made since June of last year, including five centuries. If the weather is pleasant in the near future there will be a club run called to some point near this city, but no cen- turies will be made until spring. Capital Bi. Club. The arnual banquet of the Capital Bt. Club will be held this evening at the club house on 15th street. It will be the eigh- teenth ‘annual meeting of the club around the festive board, and the affair this even- ing will be fully up to the previous events. Dr. W. D. Wirt is the chairman of the committee in charge of the affair, with Mr. Frat.cis Stephens, chairman ex-otlicio. Mr. Alexender Britton will be the toast- master, and speeches will be delivered by Messrs, Stephens, Reed, Henry, Carr, Wii- liamson, Dinwiddie, Hinman and others. All of the club members and the “Klub Kat" wiil be present, the latter in a con- spicuous positicn. The table will be made in the stape of a horseshoe, and an elabo- rate menu served by Rauscher. Preparations are being made for the club cycle show, which will be held on February 4, and 6 at the club quarters. Admission be by invitation, and these will be distributed among ‘the friends of the club. It is expecte betw twelve and fourteen makes of wheels will be exhibited. Nothing but high grade wheels will be shown, and every dealer will be allowed to show two styles of wheels, and if desirous the various parts of the machines showing the work- ing order. This show is expected to be a big success and one of the cycling events of next week. The next thing on the club program is a smoker on February 22, Washington's birthday. This will be a rousing affair if the committee's plans work rightly. ——— WINTER PICNICS. Real Fan That Jolly New York Girls Are Enjoying. From Harper's Bazar. Country girls, who certainly have the art of getting up picnics, may have plenty of them in summer, and, for all we know, in winter also, but we are not positive whether they have ever had yet what our New York girls are calling a “winter pic- nic.” It is a great mistake to think that New York girls are formal, and above do- ing anything in the way of amusement which may be by some considered “not as other people do.” For real fun and inno- cent pleasure they are always ready to try anything new, and are not afraid of public opinion. A “winter picnic,” as it reads, conveys nothing to the mind; but wait until you hear what it is, and then the fun of it all may be appreciated. There is to be one given shortly here in town, and those who have been asked are in eager anticipation of the result. All the girls are asked to bring some sort of food or refreshment, and the one who is at the head of it has arranged the details so systematically that there will be no pos- sibility of two girls bringing the same thing. There is every prospect of a good supper. One girl will bring sandwiches, another cake, another tea and sugar, ai other fried oysters, another chicken or lob- ster salad, etc., etc., just as they do at a picnic in the country. The ‘hampers will be taken into the dining room and unpacked there. No servants allowed until after the meal is Over, and then they will come in to clear away the “debris.” Half the fun of a picnic is the setting of the table and the unpacking of the well-filled baskets. All superfluous sofas, tables and divans, lamps and chairs will be taken out of the drawing room and dining room, leaving only what is necessary. Kitchen tables are to be used, and evergreen trees have been ordered from the florist to put about the room to give it a more rustic appearance. ‘The men have not been mentioned yet, but of course plenty of them have been asked to come, and, not being as sanguine as thé girls, they are wondering whether it will be @ success or a bore. One young man is very much exercised as to “whether the fellows will be allowed to smoke or not. They always do at picnics!” Of course, there will be the inevitable Virginia reel, and there is some talk of an impromptu vaudeville performance, so much the fash- ion now. Some of the girls have prepared choruses to sing, and there will perhaps be a little mandolin er banjo playing. in March is the cor STEALING ELECTRICITY. Current y Ch cults and Used in Houses. From the Chicago Record. It is asserted that the stealing of current from trolley circuits for use in houses, sa- loons and stores is becoming very common. This is not surprising, in view of the ease with which the tapping of the circuit can be effected. A simple test for determining the source of any suspected electric light- ing was put in practice recently with con- clusive results. A station superintendent in passing a saloon noticed the electric lights go out, and then start up bright again, as the incandescent lights in the trolley cars sometimes do. He thought that was a queer way for the lights sup- Plied by his station to behave, and he de- cided to investigate. Being familiar with the technical differences between the cur- rent system for lighting and the method of supplying electric power for the propulsion and illumination of cars, he knew that by a very simple experiment he could find out something more as to the source of the supply of the current. A lighting company wires a building so that any incandescent lamp in it can be shut off or taken out without affecting the others. In a railway plant the lamps are fed in such a way that if one is shut off all cease to glow. The superintendent passed into a side room of the saloon and quietly unscrewed one of the incandescent bulbs. As he expected, all lights om the same wire went out. On the following night the current supplying the electric line on that street was, by agreement, cut off at a certain time. At that moment the {lumination in the saloon censed.. When the current was turned on man,” who ha meni of the « consumed. Thi story told by some of those who we found using the stolen current - — CYCLING RECORDS. An Interesting — ¢ for Those Given to Wheeling. The list of cycling records stan¢ the close of last year is i in interested inc: pecially tho: nected with the racing world ent records are given below, to; the date of the : that is noticeat names of such prominent rac e Bald, Tom Cooper, A a others who follow plained the the by fact that they y tered anything but a competi e i raray rode in an exhibition agains time with successful carried off the 1 ution rac tablishing much larger numt thing One : racinj i he is good in exhibition ra worth anything in a comy < Vice versa. E r the differ " tween the tw of racing ts broader and new features being added. | among the cyclists thers inction between ations from the chairman of the racing board of the League of Ameri- can Wheelmen, are as follows: Professional—Flying, Paced. Jamilton 4.8. Jobnston W. Hamilton 8 Michael Michael Michael James 3 James James James James Michael Michael Professional—Flying, Unpaced. % 2361-5 AL Gardiner 1 3 W 1 2 Menry Bradis 3 Henry Bradix 4 y Brad's 5 Het 6 A. z A 8 A 9 A 10 A. 1 A 12 A 13 A it A 15, A 16 A. iz A. 18 A. pT a 2 A. 21 A 2 A 3 A 24 ALF. Senn Eo A. F. Senn Amateur—Flying, Unpaced. Stevens. Stevens Tandem — Flying Start, Paced. 1 21:30 1-5 Crooks. Oct. 25, "95. , Paced Amateur Tandem—Flying St 4 Hagety-Willi'ms Hage'ty-WHIPms Magge'ty-Willi'ms } Hage'ty-Willi'ms ¢ Terril-Taylor Evans. Hatton Evans-Hation Hutton Evans-Hation ans-Hatton Evans-Hatton 7‘ Bvans-Hatton Amateur Tandem—Flying Start, pa 1-5 Devila-Hanson iver mnad in . jn Davinw-th-MBtebell July Benson-Downing Oct. Un- 226 Aug. 235 July Bors ——— ee Effective. From Pearson's Weekly. Meud—“What do you do when a man persists in asking for a dance and don't care to dance with him? Marie—“Tell him my card is full.” Maud—“But supposing it isn’t and 7 Satie "Then I insist that it is and ‘et him see that it isn’t.” ——__+o+-____ Rough om the Boy. From th: Cincinnati Enquirer. “My boy insists that I shall get him some sort of a toy gun,” said the man with the short chin, “and I suppose I will have to do it.” “Here is the very thing you want,” sald the dealer. “It is perfectly safe; won't even harm a cat.” “I guess I will take it. It is a pretty mean trick to play on the boy, but I guest it will be for the best.” he