Evening Star Newspaper, January 15, 1898, Page 20

20 ‘The weather of the past week, barring the rain of the first few days, appeared to be typicnl spring weather, and many wheelmen took advantage of the oppor- tunity. Most of the roads were in almost too bad condition to be ridden with pleas- ure, but the city riding was excellent. Last Sunday was a beautiful day, but many who went out for all day or started out early in the afternoon did not find much enjoyment on account of the rain, which spoiled the riding. ‘The interest of local wheelmen appears to be centered in the test case now in the Police Ceurt regarding the four-inch drop ef the handle bars. The regulation has al- ready become famous, rot only in this city, but in other cities, and the outcome of the matter is awaited with considerable inter- est. It seems to be quite certain that ad- verse decision to the wheeimen will most likely be given in the Police Court, but the hepe of those fighting the ordinance Hes in the dectsion of the upper courts, to which the case will be carried. Centary Cycle Clab. Seven veterans of the Century Cycle Club started last Wednesday for Balls Church, Va., the party being composed of Messrs. Byrnes, Billy O'Connor, Denny O'Connor, Williams, Barnhartt, Chandlee and Rosson. Before the riders had gotten one mile in Virginia the road stuck to the tires almost equal to cement. Three of the crowd returned in disgust and made a little run to themselves up the Conduit. The balance of the riders kept on man- fully and reached the village. On the re- turn trip they struck solid ground, and reached home in fine shape. The pace up was slow, but after getting away with county chicken and a most beautiful steak Billy O'Connor took the lead for home and made the pedal mo- tion very ars were u: ove the le . considering the fact that ed something like ten inches 1 of the saddk The boys greatly disappointed over the fact that t will be soon compelled to leav their pr nt quarte convenient for all, and just the club r vecial me: s called for to take se A run ¢ to Rock le tomo: ad, and thence up read, leavi Capt can attend. r to reach the city = afternoon, giving all nd to any other busi- on hand. Queer Wheelmen. Queers are working hard to make a suce their next “smoker,” which will be held at t club rooms January s of visitors the members hav = cnly one extra invitation which will comfortably s. Refreshments will b st talent in the ci of i { | trip to Weather will permit. the Queer Whee.men a great change during the k. The furniture and articles of ve been stored and in their place hall has been y decorated | lean Mags, in re: for the | smoker, which takes place on the nt. The invitations ‘e out, and, * are odd with Ame coming th in: and added her victory team of the ¢ y evening. ¢ goal throv out of the imen W making own. out expressed that he can s position on the team. has been confined to his in and hopes nm again play 1 tation of the Century Cycle Club for a combined run tomorrow has been ac- | cepted. The start will be from the club | rooms of the Century Club at 9:30 a.m. | The Queers ciate the invitation and} believe that by such m the members | of the local clubs will become better a quainted and the runs will be made more enjoyable. Arlington Wheelmen. > club runs for 1898 were auspicious. Sunday, n the folio’ mnider comm: ly t zr ing wing-d A's, d of Captain | Murphy, made a run to Suitland F Messrs. Brengle, Utz, Terry, Lecke, Ed- mens, A. Bell, Clark, Harding, Stone, | Potts, Huck, John and Harry Walker, ibent, MeCaulley, C. Miller, Whitson an, H. Thompson and Wm. Leissler, Whose application was received at the last | meeting. Messrs. Libby and Lucky rode | with the be t The morning .s a typical bicycling one, end riding was indeed a pleasure. Of the large number in attendance many we mounted on “US wheels, and the hills lyin between the avenue bridge the park Were ascended with comparative ease. w road officers assumed charge of their duties, and judging from the manner in which the run was conducted, the club has selec nd efficient officers for Ines. Heutenant carried with him a of the lent pic In the mz €d seems to Six of the amera and took a snap sh which proved to be an exc ter of wheels, the A’s ch members ure ten have n ordered, a full nickel-plated tande looking for “hot pace ¥ of it in the future. are that this year will be for the Arhngton Wheel- ts rapidly advanced in the and today h: full nickel plat- © for this year. ding them an wo have ordered a, and those wlie Will surely have pler and spe the car. red se bail | ganizations) le when th am is composed Sin the Distric season begins ne © club will try for honors in that di eral members at the last cutspoken in their de law whi pro- grips lower tnan four + of the saddle, which b voting to send a letter ners urging them to r decisicn. Should the test eas how being tried be decided against ston Wheelmen stand th any of the local cycling organizations to carry the case to a higher court. - F. U. Kelly of Chicago, rep- ive of a tire company, and an hon- nber of the club, ompanied the trip Sunday. iurphy hes provided himself with book, im which will be kept the names of the members attending the club ru nd at the end of the season this lit- tle nk will decide to whom the gold m lis to be awarded. The member at- tending the 1 number of runs this will be the recipient of the club eval of the members who last year d no special riding abilities are | names have been sent in for membership THE EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, JANUARY 15, 1898-24 PAGES.’ front. This good showing is very gratify- ing to the club. A commendable feature of the Arlington Wheelmen is the consideration with which a rew member is treated. If he be unable to follow the fast riders some one will stay, with him, always offering a kind word of encouragement until he finally rounds into form. One of the rules governing the club runs is that as many as desire may ride as fast as they please going, but on the return trip all must keep together. It is generally understood that the run tomorrew will be to Highland Station, Md. All desiring to attend will meet, as usual, at 14th and New York avenue at 10 o'clock. Shcvld a majority decide to go elsewhere, the run will be changed. Until warmer weather sets in only short morning runs will be made. Alinte Cycle Club. The annual election of officers of the Al- tair Cycle Club was held at the regular business meeting, Monday evening, at 1208 street. The election resulted as follow: resident, David F. Weaver; captain, F. Weaver; lieutenant, H. C. Fisher; Walmer; quartermaster, president succeeds Mr. Rezin who held the office for several The W. Darby, e The newly elected captain heid the EW r before last, and was succeed- i by Ed. Hang the well-known rider. The other officers elected are new men. ‘The club banquet will shortly be held, at which the installation of the new officers will occur. The installation exercises will mest 1 ly be held the fore part of next month, following the usual custom. L. A. W. GOSSIP. Isaac B. Potter, the present national president, is nothing if not a sharp and quick-witted individual. These qualities have made him the politician that he is. The method he is now pursuing in his campaign for re-election is not the only thing that has won the admiration of all heelmen, including many of his enemies. An illustration of his wit practically saved the day for the New York wheelmen. The incident happened when Potter was chief consul of the New York Division. A bill | had been introduced In the New York state legislature to compel all the railroads to carry bicycles as baggage. The bill was referred to a committee, which set apart three hours to hear the sentiments of those in favor and age#inst the measure. The railroad companies were well repre- sented and had plenty of able counsel, while the wheelmen ented by M r two houre, were repr road people used consid- ving Potter. le onty a over of time in whi Pp nt the bicycle s | Frequently he was interrupted | propounded by the lawyers, | igned solely to contuse the speaker and | w him off the track of his remark: » chief consul was equal to the emer gency, however, and continued giving forcible reasons in support of his side of the argumen’ | “I would ask the speaker,” interrupted long it will be the railroads as baggage? one of the lawyers, “how before he will want to urg ake wagons and carriage oon as th take hors for was the quick and ready re- vas not interrupted again during his remar! During the past two weeks but two league. Dur- no renev local division of the me time there were the total membership e two members are William and Frank Waliey Per- » Corcoran street. to the ing the to the secretary-treasurer of ion, S. Collin! State will be ca: the vate of the for Isaac B. Potter as president and J. | 7. Keenan, jr., as first vice president. Mr. Keenan is the present vice consul of the Pennsylva Division, and has alread secured the vete of his state. Mr. Collir also scems to find fault with the met ods pursued by Sterling Elliott, the othe candidate for president, over the publica tion of the official organ of the organiza tion, which last year netted him over 34.00 in Subscription fees alone, to say nothing of the advertising receipts. Although but eighteen years old, league today has a membership of 1 nd among the ranks are some of the most prominent men of the country in the po- litical, religious and social world. Rear Imiral Gherardi of the United States is a member, as is also John Wana- | r of Philadelphia, the ex-Postmaster General; General Hastings, governor of Pennsylvania; Carter H. Harrison, mayor of Chicago; C. A. Pillsbury, the Minne- apolis millionaire, and many other well- known men have their names on the mem- bership rolls. the President Potter of the L. A. W. paring a book on “Cycle Path: is pre- as an ad- dition to the good roads library of the L. A. W. It will contain practical hints on the construction of these paths, will be fully i the year. trated and will appear early in >— LOCAL CYCLE GOSSIP Alhough many lamps are regularly stolen it seldom happens that the thiev are ar- rested and brought before the judge in the Police Court. This is probably due to the fact that many riders are unable to iden- tify their laraps, and the robbers seem to realize this. That Judge Kimball favors the protection of the riders is evidenced by the fact that he has announced a heavy fine for any found guilty of such an offen his tribunal. More than this, he gav ical iustration of this when he imposed a ) or three months in jail in the c tle colored boy, who was brought before him charged with this : lamps are not beior vole safe Ww s you are around,” aid the court, “and i intend to impose a fine in every case brought before mer bore the name of Wi stole a lamp from the wheel al Frederick A. Kraft, who and deputy Mars 3 habpened to be out on official business at ‘© the lamp was stolen. Feeling cer- tata ths t. the thief lived somewhere in the neighborhood of the theft, Mr. Kraft de- termined to play the part’ of detective, in dition to reporting the theft to the po- The next day he wandered around and saw some colored boys cticing riding on a wheel.He noticed that was an extra good light on the ma and on examination found it to be | of the same make as his missing one. The yy who owned the lamp claimed that it | had been in his possession for some time, but despite his remarks he was taken to the mearest police station, where he chang- ed his manner and claimed that he had bought the lamp the day before from an- other ‘unknown colored boy, paying 00 cents for it. Mr. Kraft was able to fden- tUfy the lamp by the fact that he had lost one washer, and also because of the pecu- larity of a’side glass, which he had some other person fix for him. To make sure of the identification the other person was sent for, and he was able to recognize his work. In the Police Court the’boy still persisted in his story and claimed to have bought the lamp from another boy, “And I hav three other bicycle lamps at home, too, said the youth. “If you have three other: why did you want this one?” inquired the th pre there dly developing into good road riders, and this year can be found well up in the court. “'Cause it was better than any one else,” was the response. Upon the pe- ution of several people the fine was re- duced to $15, which was paid. Rather than take any more risks Mr. Kraft states that he intends carrying his lamp with him when he uses it at night and leaves his wheel outside any building. There is nothing more inconvenient than tc use a wheel after dark with a lamp, and after a short absence return to find that the lamp has been stolen. It is worse than inconvenient, because it is bound to cause more or less trouble and worry, especially if the rider is any distance from home. The large increase in the thefts of bicycle lamps is probably due to the carelessness of the riders, who take no precaution to suard them. It is a tempting field for the thieves, and they appreciate {t. Perhaps the best advice that can be given on the subject is not to carry a lamp on the wheel unless absolutely necessary in the day time. At this sczson of the year, when darkness falls so early, there are a large number who are obliged to carry lamps in the day time, in order to keep from violat- ing the law and running the chance of be- ing arrested on their return in the evening. In a majority of cases the people who thus carry their lamps have a safe 1; a safe lace in which to store the wheels d HF they are at work. Seine heen ‘© cihers it is suggested that pr = Wheel. Some lamp brackets are So ar- renged on the front of the wheel, fitting around the head, that they can be locked cn by tightening the bearings at the head. In other cases, where the lamp bracket simply screws on around the head, it 1s best te have it soldered on to the frame ef the bicycle, keeping ermanent- ly. It does not add much w machine. The lamp, when placed on the bri eket, can also be seldered in place, if Cesired, but this is not recommended, as it is frequently a desirable thing to remove the lamp to thoroughly clean it. The best thing that can be done is to buy_a small leck, the kind that is vsually used on dog collars, and slip it over the end of the bracket when the lamp is in place. In case the end of the bracket does not project up far enough for this, after the lamp is in Piace, let sone locksmith bore a small hole through the rear part of the lamp, and when it is fitted on the bracket shove a small staple or a pin-headed iron plug which s 1 hole at the ,_ thro’ w a lock might be utlay will be small com- st of the lamp. & thing to local wheel- a the action of Judge Scott in the e Court during the week of fining a er of a heavy we who was on the wrong side of the and fi enger boy to run inte the curb. s these are the enly means of right of ell that their ponderous w cannot be i jured. The c e in qu ion was the first Gue io come Up under the new police regu- lations, and it is to be hoped that it is not the la ion it is pleasing to note the has been made manifest of ef drivers of vehicles. The neelmen are row more fully an ever, ing to the fight ers of the silent sieeds have been making. There i good deal of room ar tion Tor improvement, ver, as some ers will not give up to the new condi- of affairs until their feelings ha . injured through the tapping of their books by the medium of a fine in Police Court. The good werk in this ticn should continue. A local cycle dealer has started a new project that will perhaps revolutionize a certain branch of the bicycle busine . It is nothing more nor less then the furnish- ing of mounted messengers to take a com- munication or small package to any part of the city for a nominal sum, much less than the the me would be carried by any of ting telegraph messenger compe ex nies, The venture has just been introduc ed, and if suc ful it is safe to predict that others will follow in the footsteps of the ori haps suggesting and in- augurating a number of improvements, if any can be made. Another bu that has iner Gerfully of late is that adopted b: firms, who offer to call for a whee clean it a certain number of times mething like cents or a month. By clea means to take the wheel apart overhaul the bearing: So far as cleaning the dirt off the frame is concerned, this is done as often as the owner wishes it, by simply telephoning the company who conducts the business. If the machine cannot very well be spared, it will be cleaned at the home or office of the owner, and for any minor repairs a man is sent for it, who returns it as soon as the improvements are made. and for fifty dollar a In view of the recent agitation against the further continuance of six day rac- ing, that is, for 1 consecutive hours, it looks rather dubious for the holding’ of such an event in this city, as was origin- ally contemplated. It seems hardly likely that a sanction for such could be obtained from the chairman of the racing board without more or less trouble. Another drawback would be the securing of a prop- er hall for the event. The projectors orif- inally had in view the use of Center Mar- ket Hall, which ts now on the black list of the League of American Wheelmen, but it was tacitly understood that the blacklist could easily be raised in case such a race was desired at the place. Now that the Dis- trict National Guard has taken up the Cen- ter Market as its armory, it has exclusive right to the use of the hall, that being part of the contract of occupancy, and no out- siders could manage to rent {t for a full week. Convention Hall was hardly con- sidered by the projectors in the matter, ow- ing to its rather far location from the usu- al lines of travel. If the place was more centrally located it would be regarded as far more desirable for such an event. An- other item to be taken Into consideration in the latter case is the cost of rental for one week, and the consetuent increase in the cost of managing si a@ race. a THE FOUR-INCH DROP The legal decision in the matter of the four-inch drop has not yet been made, but the expectation is that the matter will soon end so far as the Police Court 1s concerned, and, if the verdict of the court is against the wheelmen, the matter will be carried to a higher court. Before a United States tribunal the validity of the regulation will be discussed and a final decision in the matter will be reached. ‘The defense in the test case is now being conducted at the expenSe of Mr. J. D, Las- Tey, the local cycle agent. The League of American Wheelmen, so far as the local @ivision is concerned, has refused to take any action in the matter. Mr. Lasley ex- pects an adverse decision in’ the Police Court. The defendant will be committed and his release sectred on a writ of habeas corpus. The matter will be brought before the at- tention of a higher court, where the valid- ity of the regulation will be fully attacked. A favorable verdict is confidently expected, Since the publication of the interviews in The Star last Saturday on the matter, an cpinion has been obtained from Mr. Paul Von Boeckman, who urges reasons from a physical and mechanical standpoint. As an athlete Mr. Von Boeckman is well known, ard, as a dealer, his opinion is also of interest to the many riders, He has this to say: “I have always been a -law-abiding citi- zen and think that all laws are made for the benefit of the public, no matter how ridiculous they may seem to us, but the latest regulation in regard to handle bars, is, I am sure, unjust, and made by people who have never ridden a wheel or are novices in the art of cycling. Why is it that our ‘scorching cops’ insist in using drop bars? I know that they often fail to catch their intended prey on account of losing sight of them in the dark. I should think that they would use raised bars and seea mile or more in the dark and in this way never lose sight of the culprit. Judg- ing from the advantagé’claimed for raised bars such an office; , could follow a ghost in the dark. Se “Raised bars are, Pos{tively uncomforta- ble and injurious to thé health.~ It seems that people are under the impression that one’s chest is contracted by the use of drop bars, while really the opposite is the case. When a rider sits erect on his wheel and depends only upon the muscles of the back to keep him ypright, he must extend his arms forward and downward to reach the grips, and the, result is that the chest is contracted, shoulder thrown forward. On the other hand, when a rider leans for- ward on his handst' the weight of his body throws his shouldérs back and chest out, which enables a person, to breathe freely and give more life to the muscles of the body. “Another reason why sitting erect fs in- jurious is that the rider supports his en- tire weight in the saddle, with the ex- ception of the little which goes into the pedals. It is for this reason that riders who sit erect are always changing saddles and complain that there is no such thing os a comfortable saddle, while, on the other hand, riders who lean forward never complain. They buy one saddle and it is seldom that they complain; they all seem to be comfortable and contented. The cause for this fact can be easily under- stood. One rider supports his entire weight at one point, while the other distributes it about equally between five points, any one of which does not inconvenience him to a great extent, and he also can at will throw his weight to any point which is Most convenient at the time. A rider who sits erect and depends only upon the mus- cles of the arms to control the wheel can- not stand the shock a rider can who throws his weight into his arms. “I have steered all kinds of multiple machines and I know that it would be im- possible for me to steer such a wheel even down a straight stretch with upturned bars. I would not for any amount under- take to stcer a sextet on a small track with five strong men behind me. If I would be compelled to use upturned bars my funeral would be tomorrow. Another great disadvantage in the raised bar is that a rider cannot turn his wheel short on_ac- count of the bar striking his knees. This can be avoided by throwing the knee on the outside of tne bar, but as this takes time one often has a fall which could have been avoided by the use of drop bars. Drop bars give a wheel a certain e, which cannot be obtained with the raised bar. n my opinion the best method to break up reckless scorching is to arrest any one who is caught In the act and give him a dose which he will not forget. OMfcers can easily judge these matters, and I think that they would not be unjust. I do not believe in making a speed limit, for some riders are more dangerous when they ride a thirty-mile an hour gait, than others at ten miles an hour. This matter should be left entirely to the officers. “Of all the fools and nuisances the rider who rides around the street without handle kars ts the greatest. I think such a fool should be made to pay a heavy fine. I see no excuse for such an ac! “As a dealer in bicycles It would be to my benefit to have the law enforced. There are thousands who would have to purchase , and Tam sure I would rece but for the benefit artily wish that the Com- ec the mistake they have matters. jusi other cities would f the law were long azo have passed such |: should Washingt with its mile streets and light proce We should be t pelled to make in many small cit ed than our stre the thir: uch regu am sure that rot more blood- es SOME CYCLE CHAT With all of the American enterprise that isso much boasted of, the English people lave come to the front with a new slot device. In the present case it is not a nickel in the slot, but°only a penny, and the enterprise is ‘turned in the direction of furnishing wind for bicycles. A for- ign cycle paper has the following to s on the subject: A darge number of London manufacturers, dealers and devo- of the waeel-of both sexes were re- cently given a private view of the slot machine for the filling of e tires, patents for which were recently sued. It 1s somewhat similar to the or nary slot machines, but instead of pro- ducing candy, gum or music it has a large rvoir filled with compressed air, which n be refilled as often as required in pre or saloon in which it may be ened. An English cr two cent in American move eth shine to part with sufficient com ed air to fill the largest: size tir invention will be of incale ue clists, Ny in the country districts, and i for 10,000 of the mazhines have al- ready been received. Britis) an bicycle trade is the subject of a report by Consul Par ker at Birmingham, England, in which ar shown the great inroad made by the bicy- cle manufacturers of this country. The report in part is 2s follows: “The one marked development in this district during the past year has. been in the cycle t From July 1, 180 to January 1, 1897, this was very’ rapid. Productive power’ was immensely inc creased. Small establishments developed almost without notice into large ones, with an unsuspected capacity for turn ing out bicycles. The result was an overs development not only of manufacturing facilities, but of company promoting. This induced some neglect of selling effort and a disposition to underrate the possibility of competition, especially from the United States. In spite of the increased use of bicycles all over the world, the result of this was soon apparent in the compara. tive decline of exports. This did not ate fect the trade with the United States, be. cause hardly any complete bicycles have been sent since the beginning of 1s}. There was a determined maintenance of prices but very little effort to make a good bicy: le at such a cheap price as would bring it within the reach of workingmen, “The British foreign trade in bicycles for the calendar year 1895 $6,747,01 for 1806, it was $9,056,4: for 1807, returns are not yet complete, but from Jan. uary to Sentember, inclusive, the most ime portant portion for the bicycle trade, there was a falling off of more than 13 per cent. If this rate should continue over the whole the Crore vould amount to about his was coincident with a remarkable export movement from the United States. During the past two years, ending in each on June 30, the total exports of eycles and Farts from the United States and those to the united kingdom are shown in the fol- lowing brief table: Description, 1898, 189 Total...... +++ $1,898,012 $7,00; To the united kingdom. ~ "61; 2,375,67 “Not only has the total export of Amer- ican cycles ircreased by, nearly 300 per cent in one year, and that {o the united king- dom in abcut the same ratio, but the de- mand from British colonies’ or marke heretofore held almost, ¢xclusively by Brit- ish manufacturers, cf ¢ycles, greater by more than 175 per ceyt during the period named. Thus the,expoft of bicycles from the United States, insfgnificant two years ago, has grown tg proportions almost as great as those of the nited kingdom in spite of its earliér déyelopment and ‘m-. mense capital and’ facilities. There are in- dications that the ‘Conditions are now fair- ly appreciated by the British manufacturer, andsthat he will mot $0 easily be caught again; but, as th¢ manufacturers of the United States are not likely to surrender without a strugglethe advantages incident to two years of suftes§ful trading, the for- mer must now fight to retain what he has, to say nothing of getting back what he has lost.” Elliott Burris, who bas had considerable experience in bicycle construction and the practical application of mechanics, does not seem to think the bevel gear as applied to bicycles @ very successful thing. Where the pewer is supplied indirectly the bevel gear may be all right, he thinks, but where the power is supplied direct things are different. There is fully 25 per cent of the power lost, he estimates. This is what he says on the subject: “Bevel gears are entirely. practical in. cer- tain classes of machinery, in the construc- tion of which it is necessary to direct pow- er around a corner, or at angles with the work, and in which fine running adjust- ment, weight and friction have not to be considered, as for example, coffee mills, corn shellers, cider presses, mowing ma- chines, drills and that class of machinery where sliding gears, are necessary; but bevel gears are not used where direct vow- er can be transmitted. There is greater friction, and.thereby greater loss of power, in propelling a cycle through means of bevel gears than by means of a chain when the chaiu and sprockets are properly cut. In the riding school and on a smooth, level surface this l-es of power is not immedi- ately apparcnt to the cyclist, because the amount of power required to propel even a Poorly constructed cycle on a level surface at the moderate speed the masses of cyclists usually ride, is scarcely pefceptible. The instant the rider touches an upgrade the loss of power becomes apparent, and the steeper the grade the more pronounced this Icss of power, because the percentage of friction through bevel gears meshing to- gether is more greatly increased as great- er power is required, than is friction in- creased as greater power is applied in the ariving of a chain and sprocket cycle.” The National Cyclists’ Union of England has issued a bulletin giving its precise po- sition on the road racing question, which is apropos of the subject printed on the cycling page last week. The bulletin is as follows: 1. No licensed rider may either race or Face in any race upon the road, whether the race be open, club or local. 2. The term “taking part in” applies to officials acting in connection with such a race, such gs the starter, judge, timekeeper and checkers. 3. By “paced record attempt” is meant any paced attempt at world’s record, ama- teur record, place to place record, club rec- erd or any time record. 4. The rule does not interfere with any rider or riders, paced or unpaced, going for “standard medals” at certain distances of- fered by their clubs. Any ride for stand- ard medals must be for standard meda!s only, and if there be a special prize given to the first man of any such group of os- tensible medal hunters starting on the same day, the ride becomes a race, and is therefore an infringement of the rule. In case it should appear that an attempt is in any way being made to evade this rule, the committee will deal with each case on its merits, according to the spirit of the rule. 5. An unpaced rider is one who is abso- lutely alone throughout the journey. 6. In the event of any club announcing its intention to hold a road race, such race will, as heretofore, be proclaimed by the union. 7. In the event of a club affiliated or not affilated to the union holding interclub races on the path with another club or clubs, competitors in such races must be licensed, and the meeting. will require a permit. What is the proper costume for priests who enjoy bicycle riding? is a question which has bothered the members of the clergy lately in this and other countries. In Paris, according to report, the Cath clerics have been forbidden to ride the cycle by the archbishop, because of this question of dress. There the priests are pelled to wear the long cassock of the ‘ey at all times. So long a garment not being practicable on the style of frame used by men, a large number of priests, it is said, adopted the drop frame, so called, which is used exclusively by women, with its mud guards and dress guards, for their exercise on the boulevards and in the en- virons of the French capital. The incon- gruity of the situation resulted in the or- der forbidding the priests to ride the bi- cycle at all. While no such condition exists in this country, there has been, neverthele or less of di the s how far a prie fon in dr cycle ridei er and the Roman le forms of nt of the Ame a monthly pub- dio- et in som , at least in the eastern stat ute law to wear the Roman c a coat reaching to this fact, some prie: bishop permits the us plicitly sanctions the use of suitable dress, and such sanction takes away the obligation to wear the Roman coilar ar hat if the of bicycies he im- long coat.” To the question raised the fol- lowing reply is made: “Though a bishop may tolerate the use of the bicycl n for the purpc of T ing the bh crament to the sick, when there is no probable danger of irreverence, it could not be maintained that he implici ly sanctions the use of a dress which in a manner disguises his priestly character, by removing the marks which distinguish the cleric from the layman. “It follows that jurisdiction of the only could, but in all Hkelih bid his clergy to don the sweater as soon as he becomes cognizant of the fact that s who do Such prohibi- there are pri tion is in order not only with regard to sick s, but for a sons, since the council, after prescribing that priests should wear the cassock in the house a well as in the church, adds that when the go out, whether it be in the performanc of pastoral duty or for recreation or tor are obliged to wear the clericz >— ‘98 CYCLE TRADE. Never in the hi n s has there been such an uncertainty tory of the cycle busi- ne among the dealers in regard to the trade. The few dealers who have not failed or have been compelled to retire can be de- pended upon not to do any “wildcat” busi- cl thi ‘ason. The sentimental side of the cycle trade has been losing its ground, and next season wheels will be sold nearer their honest value than heretofore. The public will be but slightly influenced by records, ete., made on certain makes of wheels, but will purchase a wheel as any other article of necessity. The most difficult problem for the dealer to solve is what to do with the customer who expects to give his old wheel in part payment for a new one. As there are many durable wheels sold at $40 to $50, with a full guarantee, it follows that a wheel that has been used a year or more is of little value, regardless of its original ecst. This is all the more the case with wheels which are no longer represented in this city and those the manufacturers of which have failed, as it is impossible to get parts of these wheels without going to great expense. At the last board of trade meeting the ‘98 prospects were discussed, but as many ot the dealers have not yet settled any- thing definite in regard to prices, no action has been taken in the matter. A cycle show was also discussed, but it is doubtful if the dealers in this city will care to go to the expense of having a show, past shows having been expensive luxuries. As cycle race meets have been financial failures in this city, it is doubtful if any one will be tound to undertake such a ven- ture, unless a track is built nearer the city. —— Ballast for a Bicycle. From the Pall Mall Gazette. “We Americans traveling abroad are apt to be very proud of cur reputation for clev- erness,” said a tourist who went bicycling in Europe last summer. “And no doubt we have reason to be. But I am going to tell you how I had some of the conceit taken out of me: “We were going through Switzerland, and had reached the close of the first day’s de- scent toward Geneva. The road had been too steep to coast without the aid of a brake, and as we were afraid to use our brakes for fear our tires would not last us through our trip, we back-pedaled ail the way. “As we were sitting after supper on the veranda of the lodge, discussing the fa- tigue of cur unusual exercise, and dreading the morrow, which meant more of the same sort, our attention was suddenly called to a cloud of dust descending the mountain side. Ther we saw a ‘cyclist, coasting as nice as you please, towing a good-sized sapling, which acted as an ef- fective brake, without injury to the tires. One of the boys ejaculated: ‘Well! Why didn’t we tHink of that? The rest were simply dumb. That man was a German. I row take off my hat to our German brethren of the wheel.” —— Armies 24,000 Miles Long. From the London Chronicle. A German military critic has been adding up the greed total of the continental armies, and, after noting that we can form oniy a vague idea of what is meant by tens of millions, he tries to bring home to-his readers in another way the colossal growth of modern armaments. If, he says, we could have all the armies of the continent on a war footing and drawn up in one long procession, with their guns and ammuni- tion and baggage wagons, the column would be rather more than 24,000 miles long, and, marching day and night, it would take nearly a year to pass a given point, Ne SOME FISTIC HEROES|[PON ‘THIS PLATFORM Pugilistio Skill as an Outgrowth of ; the Olympiads. VIRGIL'S ENTELLUS AND DARES’ ROW Sam Weller Whips the Town Beadle. EMBALMED IN THE CLASSICS Written for The Evening Star. Many excellent persons are given to airily tossing aside that portion of a newspaper containing a description cf some fistic en- ccunter between boxers of greater or hess fame. They brush away as altogether vul- gar, after the manner of Mr. Podsnap, ac- counts of athletic meetings between spar- rers whose names have become internation- al in the world of scientific pugitism and whose deeds zre read of in annals. Such us Tom Sayers, champion of Eng- land, on whose prowess Lord Palmerston, premier of the British cabinet, wagered his guineas aguinst John C. Heenan, champion of America. John Morrissey (afterward member of Congress from New York), who defeated in a twenty-four-foot ring his turly English antagonist, Jem Mace, fig- ured in the current history of two conti- nents. Of the moderns, Sullivan, Corbett and Fitzsimmons have become known wherever the English-speaking people have dwelling places. Not many years ago, Col. Thomas Went- worth Higginson of Cambridge, author of several historical and philosophical works, contributed an article to a Boston publica tion, taking decided ground in favor of the “manly art.” He declared that the fistic art should be cultivated in all directions by the virtuous, both as a healthful bodily exercise end as a means of defense against attack from the vicious. To prove his posi- tio: he called to his aid arguments to be found in history and romantic literatur It was pointed out that classical history in especial and many of the best writings of later days abounded in such arguments. The Olympian Games. Col. Higgirscn’s article was a brief one, otherwise he might have gone further into details and informed his readers how the ancient Athens, like the modern—around and about fair Harvard—cultivated muscle as well as mind and trained its vouth in the fear of the gods and to be mighty wrestlers bru ould have told us that s ympian s were boxing and wrestling, and that doubt nh due to the phy: ical virtue obtain efrom as from the genius of Miltiades the threw the was large strength-be 1 triumph of the ring, with the confident cour- age thereof. In the matter of boxing skill, the case of Entellus against Dares, in the fifth book of the E id ¢ have been cited as show uperiority of the former, thou, > the bo Dares, younger and of gr h. On that able occasicn Dares had his head prop nched, and was knocked out in a by reason of the better method ‘ter which the old brutser je the cestus and my The cestus, by the bye, as a boxing would Fardly pass inspection by the authorities of today, sisting, as it did, of strins of tough bull’s hide, riveted together with iron studs—a sort of up-to- date bras: knuckles. The rounds were not num<rous with it. Here I Of the modern clas Pulw ics, Sir Walter Scott, Lytton, Thackeray, Dickens, Reade, and other writers, e. fistic in their books. Dobbin, in “Vanity thrashing “the cock of Dr. Swish ‘3 school:” “Tom Brown at Rugby,” and other instances serve to illustrate. One of ounts of fis bat- ile is that of Mr. Samuel Weller, who en- gaged in single combat the town beadle who had impounded Mr. Pickwick while sleeping off, in his wheelbarrow, a triile too much cold punch, pressed on him by Wardle, his hospitable host. Having con- cluded ‘the third and Jast round with the beadle, before the crowd who had misused his master had recovered from their sur- prise at his rescue, and a dozen of whom had yelled, “Run ‘to the justice’ Sam jumped on the bex of Mr. Wardle and shouted: . run to the ju give him my compliments—Mr. Ve compliments—and tell him I've spiled his beadle, and that, if he'll svear in a new T'll_ come back tomorrow and _ spile Cruikshank’s picture of the scene is a liberal education. A Noted Encounter. But the most graphic narrative of fisti- cuffs ever given, possibly, is that between Kenelm Chillingly and Tom Bowles, as de- scribed by Bulwer Lytton in his last great work of fiction. Kenelm was an eccentric young gentleman just out of college, son of a wealthy baronet, and engaged in his trav- els through the country on foot, viewing men and things and studying philosophy. In his early youth his tutor, a muscular Christian, had taught him the elements of sparring. He took to it kindly, and at Ox- ford became a noted proficient in that joy- ous science. Circumstances brought about a collision between him and Tom Bowles, the village blacksmith and herculean bully, who as cecasion served in the past had broken the heads of nearly half the male population of the community. Against this conqreror Kenelm_ was ccmpelled to defenc himself, and as the men faced each other they represented the two types, respectively, of well-bred, well-trained intelligence, and the vicious ignorance of brute force existing every where. Kenelm_ was tall but slender; Bowles a shade shorter, though aboye me- dium height, massive and far heavier. Te villagers fell back and a ring was formed. As Kenelm, the stranger, took his ground there was a supple ease in his posture which at once brought out into clearer evi- dence the nervous strength of his bulld, and, contrasted with Tom's bulk of chest, made the latter look clumsy and topheavy. Skill vs. Brute Force. At first Kenelm acted only on the de- fensive, contenting himself with parrying blows that would have felled an ox, and playfully tapping his antagonist on the mouth or nose. Once he caught his ad- versary’s head in chancery, but good-na- turedly refrained from taking advantage of it by releasing him with a friendly slap on the shoulder, saying it would be a pity to spoil a handsome countenance. But Bowles, enraged at the jeers of the by- standers and furious at the mysterious skill that turned his brute strength into waste force, at last became formidable, and Kenelm realized the necessity of checking the bull-like rushes of his oppo- nent by offensive action if he would save his head. His own fighting blood arose. His nostrils dilated, his eyes flashed fire— Kenelm Chillingly ceased to be a philosoph- er. He became a prize fighter. Steadying. himself, he struck straight from the shoulder with the rapidity of lightning, one, two and three, flash upon flash, with all the strength of nerve, sinew and purpose of mind concentrated in its vigor. Unable to parry these blows, Tom Bowles at the second one, which struck where the eyes meet, reeled and staggered; at the third, which was given where the car meets the throat and jawbone, he threw up his hands, made a jump in the air and fell heavily forward, an inert mass, knock- ed out. Sobriety Essential to Succe: ‘Tom was assisted home, hardly knowing what had happened, while Kenelm read- justing his cuffs amid the congratulations of the villagers, went to call upon the clergyman of the place. That gentleman hearing of the stranger's victory, took him for a prize fighter. “I am no prize fighter,” said Kenelm, who had recovered his philo- sophical temper, “but I respect such a inan, because strength, courage and so- briety are essential to him, and have been in all ages among the chiefest ornaments of kings and heroes. As for myself, I be- long to that very vague class commonly called English gentlemen.” Thus it appears that pugilism has been embalmed in the classics; but classical or otherwise, the moral of the thing seems to TWO YEARS AGO THE NEW TREATMENT WAS GIVEN TO THE PEOPLE. = It is to Be Noted Regarding Doctor McCoy's New Treat- ment: radicall y treatment (1) That it & from has ever been given by the profes- ston. (2) It is endical different, both in remed: mature a method of ap- plication, from Doctor McCo: earlier method. @) It in im no sense a “spray"—has nothing common with application by “spra. (4) Ut involves, practically, two a coveries—one in chem: tion and one in maner of ap It Is Claimed Im regard to the New Treatment: () That by the New Trentmen: the good r. is possible under the old method by “sprays” are accom- plished. (2) That disease in the remote lo- calities which prays” mever combina- W. N. Newbold, Esq., 425G | st.n.w. Cured of deatness. | tonched are reached and the New Treniment, cy That, wh skillfal hands cured by “sprays” in drove th is- se into the cars or scattered it to the ldngs or stomach, such results pal. Ne Treatment alone the cure fness, Bronchial Diseas remote Catarrhal conditions is made certain. ©) That the New Treatment cures i ourth to one-half the time required under the old method. (6) That the New Treatment is the fulfillment of the promise Doctor Mc- Coy made in his ea © work, to dix- cover 2 positive and absolute cure for Catarrh, and that just as surely as the treatment his early work de- velo is im general uxe by the pro- fexsi so the New Treatment will be the Treatment of the Fature. are impossible under the New Met th (4) Phat, by These wee the clatms printed In the press two years ago when Do Treatment was given to th week after week the record of cur public “i ys and see whether these claims od. and see these people whese ne dresses a ven. They say they have ved or absoly cured of Afness, or suffering, sickness, Go and see them. Hear thelr stories circam- stantially, FIRST—Recognizing the unwritten law of the profession that people who have no money are entitled, withoot pay, to the best medical skill, Doctors MeCoy and Cowden will, as they ways have, treat absolutely free those who are unable to pay. SECOND—Doctors McCoy and Cow. den extend to all, as they always have, a cordial and kindly invitation to visit their offices, and on their first visit to receive a trial treat- ment absolutely without cost, with- out pay, or without expecta: pay. THIRD—All those people who have slight or (trifling ailments, purely Catarrhal conditions, easily capable of a speedy cure under the new methods, will be charged only a trifling fee, while those who have difficult, obstinate or serious dis- eases, requiring a special and long- continued care and attention, will be charged a fee commensurate with the care and attention they require. Patients treated successful home. Write for Symptom Bla Book of Monographs Free. McCoy System of Medicine, PERMANENT OFFICE! DR. McCOY’S NATIONAL PRACTICE, 715 13th Street Northwest. Office hours—9 to 12 a.m.; 1 to 5 p.m; 6 to 8 p.m. daily: Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. be, that until men cease to have passions, a certain percentage of them, not limited, will continue in the future as in the past, to make it warm for their neighbors. And in order not to be trampled upon, the re- mainder per cent, peaceably disposed and limited, must learn to fight, by hook or by crook, and with their fists. H. M. 8. JORDA > Live Quail in London Market. From the Cornhill Magazine. The only foreign game birds which arrive here alive are the quail They reach us in the early spring, just when every other kind of game is out of season and young ducks and chickens either still in the shell or extravagantly dear. So are the quails, but, as the old farmer said of the curacoa a@t 5 shillings a glass, they are “wurth it, too.” The Egyptian quails ccme first. A month later the Italian quails arrive. Their, numbers seem never to diminish, though} 17,000 were brought to Rome in one da: Dealers collect them from Sicily, the Naples coast and that strip of sand hilis between the Pontine marshes and the sea, stretching from Netuno to Astura. The Italian birds all come by rail via Paris, in the small, low cages which prevent them hurting themselves by trying to fly. As soon a8 they arrive they are sent to Lon- don oad be seve} a it is ga senge to use them for winter fattening, when t) are kept in Paris. ny. ——_—_+e-—______ The Cook Book Trade. From the New York Weekly. . Lounger—“Do cook: books form an tm- portant item in your sales?” Bookseller—“Yes, we sell them by the thousand. con neyo peepee 4 them, eh?” “Oh, the women don’t buy t husbands do.” penance