Evening Star Newspaper, January 29, 1898, Page 20

20 CLUB GOSSIP. Arlington Wheelmen. Owing to the inclemency of the weather, the Arlington Wheelmen again were de- prived of a morning run last Sunday. The club has about decided to have a tandem accompany the boys on the runs, which will be used as a pacemaker for those who are fond of “hitting it up.” ‘The Winged A's, since their organization and incorporation as a bicycle club, have been prominent among the cycling popula- tion of Washington. A great contrast is noticeable between the largely attended and enthusiastic me ings of today and the small gatherings eight or nine years ago, of perhaps ten or twelve A's, who would meet at the home of the members, transact a little business pertaining to the club, and close the meet- ing by indulging in a light repast. The number of members attending meetings at this day will average forty-five, and the magnitude of business taxes the officers of the club to their utmost capacity. ‘The question “Why don’t the Arlington Wheelmen have club rooms?” is frequently propounded. The members consider that they have a more enjoyable time, assem- bling once every month, than would be the case if they had club rooms which would be open ail the time. The club's indebted- ness is kept at a minimum. There are some members who think the club should be established In rooms, but the opposition is too strong to effect a change at present. Several of the members who are expert in handling the camera have lately devel- oped some pictures taken of the recent runs. They are excellent and many are be- ing distributed among the boys. President Gettinger has moved his office to S13 G street. The special meetings are generally held at his headquarters. A small party of A’s will go to the monu- mental city Sunday afternoon and enjoy a ¥ide in the city’s famous park, Druid Hiil. A list of the members will be prepared, showing In what trade, profession or occu- pation each member is engaged in, for the purpose of enabling every Arlington Wheel- man, as far as is consistent, to patronize a club member whenever he wishes to make a purchase, or have any services per- formed. This friendly feeling is noticeable in a marked degree among the A's, and whenever a member of the club can “throw anything to another,” he will so do. J. D. Frazee, whose condition from the effects of a severe cold was improved last week, has had a setback, and is still un- able to move around with his usual activi- ty. Captain Murphy is determined if possible to make the run to Highland, Md., tomor- row, which he called three weeks ago, and if no other place is selected the run will be as above stated. The start will be at 10 o'clock from 14th street and New York avenue. Home to dinner. Century Cycle Club. The Centurions met at their club rooms last Sunday afternoon, made a run to the photographer's and had their picture taken. ‘The basket ball team was also taken in a group. Both pictures are fine. ‘The rain and wind kept the Century boys off of their intended century run to Bal- timore last Sunday. No run will be taken tomorrow. ‘A special meeting of the club was held lest Monday evening. The resignation of Louis Anderson was accepted with re- grets and he was immediately elected an honorary memter of the club. Al Griffith was elected on the board of governors to fill the vacancy caused by the resigna- tion of Mr. Anderson. The board of governors held its first meet- ing since its organization, and Ed. Byrnes, the captain of the club, was unant- mously elected chairman. Messrs. Jas. MecAnaly and Horace Chandlee were ap- pointed on the membership committee. The club room committee finished their task yesterday by selecting new headquar- ters at No. © street northwest. The rooms are in the central part of the city and convenient to all car lines. The club is much pleased over the attendance of members at meetings of late, thirty-five being present at last Monday's meeting ‘There is more interest now in the club than at any time since its organization. Mention was made last week of a pro- d entertainment and dance, and within the last week things have taken such a shape t it will come off some time the latter part of pruary. M Louis Anderson, Al Griffith and Horace Chan- dlee have charge of the affair, and are be- ing coached by Mr. Wm. S. Young, whose practical experience in this Hne is very large. A play will be given and those tak- ins part are composed of members of the as the Centurions have in their ranks well up in the histrionic art, as well as long distance bicycle riders. Several of the club's lady sponsors have kindly of- fered to re their valuable aid in this line. Th will be several specialties be- fore the regular performance and at 10 o'clock dancing will be indulged in until 12 Sis Boom Ah committee” will give @ royal smoker some time the fore part month. Kauffman ts improving rapidly his bad fall in the exhibition game with the Mount Pleasant Athletic Club. The basket ball team is arranging to have an exhibition game with Company C of the Washington Light Infantry Corps in the near future. Lou Abell, the captain of the team, is improving the team work at all times. He is ready to be with the boys and work with them at all times. he “terrible Swede,” Tony Galeski, is new resting and waiting for good roads, when he will show the boys some hot pac ing. The boys are pleased to learn of the in- tention of Harry Noordzy to return to the club. Harry is one of the best century riders in the District, and he will fill a va- cancy on the race team for 1898. ‘The Century Club's membership is lHmit- ed to fift 1 at all times the chairman of the memb ip committee has as high as from ten to en applications on hand awaiting admittance. If the club would in- » its membership to 100 or more this ut from experienc 2 of the Cen- . it Is not a ng to do. They find that the work together with more satisfac- h a smaller membership than car- a hundred or two on thelr rolls. ral members of the club accepted the Invitation of the Queer Wheelmen to _at- tend their smoker Thursday evening. This invitation was extended to the whole club, but a committee was appointed to repre- tur. sent the Centurions at their friends’ re- past. The Queer Wheelmen and the Cen- tury Club pay each visits during the year, and a friendship has sprung up among them which has been a benefit to both or- nizations. On the Century Club runs ‘aptain Byrnes never fails to extend an in- vitation to the Queer fellows, and the same is done by Captain Slack of the Queers to the 10-mile pushers. Levant Wheelmen. The Levant Wheelmen are on the look- out for new quarters, their present home being inadequate for their growing mem- bership. A special meeting for this pur- pose is called for tonight. Since the first of the year the members of the club have begun to realize that, as they are the only cycle club in East Washington, the reputa- tion of the riders of their section is partly cependent upon them, and they are making the exertion which demands the success they anticipate. ‘The handle bar question has been dis- cussed at numerous meetings of the club, and the boys had about come to the con- clusion that, as the L. A. W. is partly or wholly the cause of this ordinance, they would leave it to that organization to try and have it repealed, but since the L. A. W.'s efforts appear to have accomplished nothing, the club, in conjunctiop with the boys of the Century Cycle Club, have sent Invitations to the other bicycle clubs of the District requesting them to send two representatives to attend a meeting which will be held Monday evening at $ o'clock at the Levant Wheelmen’s quarters, when they will decide what action the clubs will take in this matter. ‘The club on the track this year will be ably represented by Brearley, Galatzo, Grace and Tom Poliock. It will be the first appearance of the latter two men at track work. Having shown speed in road events, the boys look forward to a creditable show- ing from them. A. J. Kilgore, who is making a trans- continental tour, has entirely recovered from the injurie ained in an ac- cident near Newbury, S. C will con- tinue on his journey, expecting to reach San Francisco some time in April. It has happened on several of the club runs that some member has met with an accident, and to provide for such a mis- hap a_master of work has been appointed. Mr. George Moccabee was unanimousiy elected to fill the position. It is his dty to see that the boys are provided with ail proper tools for mending wrecks, and that there shall be at least one bottle of lina- ment taken with them on long runs for rubbing purposes. Acme Cycle and Social Club. At the last meeting, held Tuesday at the residence of Mr. Chas. H. Fletcher, Dennis Sweeny and Joseph Barnard were admit- ted as charter members. The business hav- ing been quickly disposed of, the members were invited to a very tempting repast, which was disposed of more quickly than the business. Then came the enlivening program of the evening, and Messrs. Howard, Clements, Butler and Huntington rendered a few selections on string instruments, by spe- cial request. Mr. Joseph Barnard sang the latest songs. The rapid increase in membership insures the near approach of entering a club house. It is expected that a few short runs will be called at the next meeting and all mem- bers will be expected to invite their friends en such occasions. Mr. Howard has invited the club to meet at his residence, 3284 M street, Tuesday, February 1, when several more applications will be submitted. Applications can be ob- tained from members of the club only. L. A. W. GOSSIP. Another week of comparative quiet has been passed in the local division of the league, ur 1 so far as increasing the mem- bership 13 concerned nothing has been done. No new names were sent in, and no renewals are accredited in the official list. Possibly those whose time expires around the present time take the full limit of six- ty days before renewing. Outside of the regular routine the only new thing that happened wus the presen- tation of new ideas on the police regula- tion regarding the four-incn drop of the handle bar. The present law was claimed to be ineffective, and did not accomplish the purposes for which it was framed. Photographs to show this were exhibited, but other photographs were shown to the Commissioners sustaining the regulation. It has been announced that the Commis- sioners have no idea in view of changing the regulation. In regard to an inquiry as to whetlicr the regulation has the indorsement of the local Givision, it can be sald that it was sub- mitted by a committee of the local division and has the indorsement of several of the league officials, but has not received the sanction at a meeting of the members of the local division. Isaac B. Potter, the president of the rational organization, has issued the fol- lowing notice regarding the next meeting of the National Assembly: The National Assembly for the year of 1898 will con- vere at the Southern Hotel, in the city of St. Louts, on the morning of Wednesday, February 9, 1898, at 10 o'clock. I particu- larly urge upon all members of the assem- bly the importance of a full attendance upon “Good Roads Day.” Our national committee ca the improvement of high- ways ‘s working hard to make this meet- ing a successful one, and every member should worthily respond by aiding the efforts of that committee. Chief Consuls Cooke of Rhode Island, Sams of Maryland and Sherwood of Indiana are hereby ap- pointed a committee on credentials, to examine the report upon credentials of the delegates under article 2, section 1 (d) of the by-laws. ‘A special meeting of the division officers and other members of the National Assem- bly for the purpose of discussing recrult- ing and other division work having been favored by a substantial number of state officers and members, a meeting for that purpose will be held at the Southern Ho- tel, at St. Louis, on the evening of Tues- Gay, February 8, 1888, at 8 o'clock. In or- der that this meeting may be productive of the greatest benefit, I earnestly re- quest that each secretary-treasurer con- tribute to the benefits of said meeting by bringing with him to St. Louis from forty to fifty copies of those recruiting circulars which have been found most effective in the work of his division. By following this suggestion, we shall be enabled to supply to each division a varied and valuable sup- ply of recruiting samples, showing the method of work pursued by each diviston. It is expected that each officer who at- tends this meeting will come prevared to speak informally of the work within his own division; and officers of several of the divisions will be specially Invited to pre- pare formal papers on recruiting work to be read at that time. Fraternalty yours, ISAAC B. POTTER, President. ‘The members of the Maryland division, urged by the chief consul, are making a vigorous fight for the good roads bill. Let- ters have been sent to many members urging them to vete for the liberty bill, good roads bill and pneumatic tire law, the terms of the bill in question. A pam- rhlet containing a discussion and explana- tion of the measure has been prepared, with a full copy of the bill Itself, coples of which are being distributed ail over the state, with the recommendation that per- sonal letters be sent to the members of the state legislature, asking them to vote in favor of the bill when it comes up for action. STOLEN WHEELS. ‘There appears to be no diminution in the reports of stolen wheels for the past month, and the number of missing wheels that the police are requested to find seems un- usually large for this season of. the year. To show the boldness of the thieves, it is only necessary to call attention to one case, In which a locked wheel was car- ried away by some robber. The victims are as follows, the lst extending back to January 6: T. A. Burns, 137 B street southeast, a Czar (Chicago) bicycle, stolen from in front of house. Thomas Gwinn, 1212 Connecticut avenue, Northern bicycle, stolen from rack in front of Library building, where it was locked. J. L. Bryan, Norwood bicycle, stolen from th and C streets. M. J. Wine, 617 17th street, Arriston eeeek stolen from in front of above num- r. Edward Smith, 314 Elm street, Columbia bicycle, stolen from in front of city post office. Marshall Berry, Maryland avenue and 10th street southwest, reported to the police that a colored man requested the loan of his Crescent bicycle for a few moments and failed to return it. E. T. Davison, 1110 4th street, Rambler bicycle, stolen from bicycle room at Ker- nan’s Theater. J. E. Shaw, 1749 Pennsylvania avenue, THE EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, JANUARY 29, 1898-24 PAGES. rented two Keystone bicycles to two white men, which were never returned. Mrs. John Miller, 20 Victoria flats, re- ported that her Remington bicycle was stolen from basement of building. P. F. Donoghue, 2622 I street, Spartacus bicycle, stolen from in front ‘of 1749 Q street. W. H. Hinkle, 1212 E street, Diamond bicycle, stolen from 12th and’ E streets northwest. Robert Herinchs, 1419 6th street, Shelby Ideal wheel, stolen from in front of house. The theft of only three lamps was re- ported during the same period, the unfor- tunates being: Miss Foland, 720 11th street, lamp stolen from wheel, near 13th and G streets. W. P. Spurgeon, Washington Post, King of the Road lamp, stolen from wheel while in front of Post building. W. T. Bingham, New York Sun, King of the Road lamp, stolen from wheel while in front of Kimball building. PNEUMATIC INVENTIONS The popularity of the bicycle at the pres- ent day can be attributed to several things, but perhaps the most important is the pneumatic tire. This one thing is equal to all of tne cther improvements combined. From the date of its introduction the popu- larity of the wheel increased. That the increase In the ranks of the riders at the time of the advent of the pneumatic tire 1s not a mere coincidence has been fully de- monstrated. The still rapidly increasing ranks is a more further proof. It Is safe to say that the appearance of the tire practi- cally revolutionized the bicycle industry. In the early days of the bicycle the solid, or “rat tail,” tire was the only thing used. The problem of making this style of tires was One of the hardest that the early man- ufacturers of bicycles had to contend against. As a completed article it had a number of defects. It failed to deaden the vib~ations of the machine when the rider went over rough spots. To do away with this difficulty as much as possible the spring saddles were invented, and sold quite largely, while other manufacturers placed spring forks te deaden the excessive vibra- tion. Another difficulty of the solid tire was in riding through sand and mud. Its nar- row width enabled it to cut through such material almcst as easily as though it were akaife. It had been in use but a short time when it was decisively determined that semething better should be manufactured, and the cuslion tire made its appearance. Most cf the readers of this are familiar with the cushion tire, which has now prac- tically passed out of existence. It is to be doubted if there are over three or four such machines ridden in this city at the present time. thouzh five or six years ago they were plentiful. The cushion tire was much lagger ard thicker than the solid tire and req@ired a rim equal to the width of the present pneumatic tire rim. It had a convex outside surface, which was the tread, and a concave inner surface. This left space between the tire and the rim, which contaired more or less air, and whick furnished the supposed cushion qual- ities of the tire. The first pneumatic tire was a huge-look- ing thing, and the cyclists who appeared with wheels so equipped were watched by the general public with amazement. The tires made the bicycle look as though it had a pair of small-sized cart wheels fastened in the frame. They made the bicycle look cumbersome and unwieldy, despite the fact that the machine seemed to be propelled as sily by the rider as any of the other styles that had up to that time appeared on the market. After its first appearance nu- merous defects were seen, developed only by a practical experience. All of these have been remedied or improved upon until we have the tire of today. In the first pneumatic tire it was almost a matter of impossibility for the rider to repair a punc- ture. That was something which only the dealers could do, and it was not every one in a repair shop who could make a neat job. Graduatly the siz2 of the tire was reduced to its present size, though it is possible, even at this date, for a rider to get any sized tire he may desire, from the small racing tire, which is hardly much larger than the old solid tire, up to one which would even excel the width of the pioneer pneumatics. The great objection to the pneumatic tire, at its first appearance, was the la- bility to puncture. Riders thought it some- thing to be dreaded to be caught out on the road with a punctured tire. The dan- ger was greatly magnified, but the preju- dice in this direction quickly wore away, and the new style was adopted. The old spring saddles were slowly abolished, as the tire was supposed to deaden the vi- brations of the wheel. To what extent the tire does this can hardly be imagined, un- less he has previous experience with the early bone-shaker or the solid tire safety. "The success of the pneumatic tire has turned the attention of inventors to other possibilities in the air line. The next thing that appeared was the pneumatic saddle. The pneumatic cycle has not yet made its practical appearance, but that fs not say- ing such will not be seen. H. G. Thomp- son of Union City, N.Y., who has met with stccess in inventing several useful agricul- tural implements and devices, has con- ceived a scheme of a pneumatic wheel, which may possibly revolutionize the cy- cling world, even though the model may be crude. His bicycle, which is fifteen or more pounds heavier than the wheel of today, has no pedals, though these may be attach- ed. An arrangement is fastened where the saddle post is generally located, on top of which the saddle is placed. The weight of the rider seated upon the saddle compress- es the air into small cylinders, where it 1s heated by means of a small lamp mounted in front of the machine, causing the air to expand and giving it more power. From two small cylinders running from the head of the wheel the alr is connected with small cranks, which give power to the chain and moves the wheels. There {s a reservoir for holding the air, and the arrangements are such that the speed of the bicycle can be ccntrolled by the rider. This permits a waste of power, and permits the use of only a sufficiency when climbing an incline, or only a minimum quantity for other occa- sions. In a bicycle geared to sixty and worked by pedals the inventor claims 704 strokes or “exertions” are required to the mile, while with the pneumatic cycle only fifty-two “exertions” are needed. Another pneumatic bicycle, in which com- pressed air is the motive power, is the pro- duct of the brain of Jackson DeNeal of Toledo, Obio, who has also invented a num- her of other useful things outside of the line of bicycles. Instead of having the reg- ular sprockets and chain, he has a specially conducted frame, on the lower portion of which two pumps are located. One large ene, which is about six inches in height, is termed the force pump, while the other, considerably smaller, and about the same height, is termed the condensing pump, which compresses air into cylinders attach- ed at the ends of the rear axle of the driv- ing wheel. By means of a rod attached to the frame the air is forced into the pumps by a lever arrangement, which practically takes the place of pedals. The cylinders at the rear wheel have two piston heads, which expand from each other, so that when the pumps are making one stroke dcwnward the wheels make five and a half revolutions. The cylinders are two inches in diameter, with a four-inch stroke, with levers sixteen inches long, with fifteen pounds pressure, giving a gauge pressure of 10@ pounds to each square inch of the cyl- inder, making one-horse power on the drive wheels. The inveritor claims that the wheel, which will weigh about thirty-five pounds, can be manufactured for less cost than a present high-grade wheel, and will be able to make a mile in a minute and a half without any difficulty. In addition to all these points, the workings of the ma- chine are noiseless. Even with the making of pneumatic bi- cycles tho field of experiment does not end. Pneumatic improvements on various parts of the hers? it pere's is and we may yet see st opera- tion. Pneumatic hubs are looked for seme, which would result ig the use of solid tire for wheels in place of the Sg @ —a pneumatic. ing to a _ statement which was pulliched in an official paper, inventions of pneumatic hubs have appear- ed in three parts of the world almost si- multaneously, it were, and in each case the inventor clgims that the hub will be a distinct, improvément over the present tire of the same lety. A Pennsylvania ma- chinist is one of the inventors in question, ard an application for a_patent is now sup- posed to be ding. Briefly, this. inven- tion is as fol! : Around the axle, pro- tected by stee] thinables, is a pneumatic tube, blown =. reg same as pneumatic tires. This t is ineased in a nickel steel frame, to: which the spokes are at- tached. The framo harging on these in- flated hubs causes the rider to rock easily, as though sitting on a swing. There is the Icast pess‘ble vibration, jarring or jolting. The principal” advantages claimed are strength, durability and easy riding, while the tires, being solid, are pon-puncturable, ea THE HANDLE BAR QUESTION. Real Distinctions Between the Two Styles of Riding. ‘To the Editor of The Evening Star: There appears to be much diff>rence of opinion as to the advantages and disad- vantages of the several positions of the handles or grips on the steering bar of a bicycle, and I beg therefors to offer my views in the matter. They are the result of long observaticn and much practical ex- perience. To clearly illustrate the probl2>m, Figure 1 of the accompanying sketches may be called the rational position, fig. 2 the racing position. In these sketches A is the crank axle, always a fixed point in relation to the fram2*and wheels of a bicycle. B is the saddle and C the handle or grip, both being Figure 1. Figure 2. adjustable. The dotted line D is the rake or tilt of the saddle, depending upon the relative positions of the points indicated. Th» points A, B and C form a triangle, of which the sides will vary with different riders, and will depend upon structural dif- ferences of individuals, such as length of legs and arms; but it is a triangle, which once determined by each rid2r for himself will always be adhered to absolutely, a3 therein he finds comfort and safety. % The power necefsary to propel a bicycle upon tha level or a slight up-grade is very much less than the application of the entire weight of the rider, of which a great part must therefore rest upon the saddle or handles. In fig. 1 the natural sitting post- tion is assumed, and no strain brought upon the arms othr than is necessary to preserve a balance and steer a safe course; the body is erect and the appearance gen- erally graceful; the positions of th2 saddle and handles have been arranged to permit the exercise of the greatest amount of work with the least sacrifice of ease and energy. Fig. 2 is essentially the scorcher's att!- tude. Not disturbing the triangular rela- tions of the points A, B and C, the saddle and handles have heen swung round ths are of a circle,,withyjthe crank axle A as the center, until the entire weight of the rider has been brought upon the p2dals and handles, and the body bent down into a po- sition ungainly and mnsafe. The tiit of the saddle has beep changed until there is a tendency to slip,down in front unless th2 weight of the rider rests upon the handle bar, or unless ‘the power applied to the pedals fs more than enough to counteract the forward tendency. The leaning posl- tion minimizes the resistance of the air when traveling fast,. All this has but one object, speed, and tifis is the very thing against which has béen aimed ‘the regula- tion governing thé position of handle bars, and against which I.take the present op- portunity to protest as dangerous to the public and hurtfnl to the rider. The racing path has developed the low handle bars and:the abnormally high gear, and (to the racing path let tham be rél gated, with. the scorehers who use the! and if it is found impossible to regulate by law these objectionable features, then let a powerful brak> be made obligatory on all bicycles so equipped, as they are essen- tially high-speed vehicles and under imper- fect control. J, H, PALMER.- ee LOW HANDLE BARS, A Lengue Member Who Opposes the New Regulation. To the Editor of The Evening Star: I have been riding a bicycle since 1882, and have used all kinds of handle bars, my present ones being a ram's horn with 7-inch drop from top of saddle to end of grips. Owing to present regulations I have been unable to do any riding, as I did not feel like planking down $4 or $5 for a new bar, or run chances of being fined for that amount. No one knows how to regulate the belongings of a bicycle for a rider as well as him or herself, and it is always the case that when one gets a new wheel he keeps regulating the handle bar and sad- die until they are in the proper positions to give the rider the best results at all times. Then again, not all people are built alike. Some may have very long arms and legs and short bodies, and vice versa, so that what would be a very low drop for one, another could sit almost erect with the same adjustment. If we were all alike there would probably never have been but one style bicycle, possibly only one make; but we are not, and here 1s the injustice to riders who happen to have the long arms and legs. I changed my bar when the new regulation of twelve miles an hour was allowed us, as I knew if I were to use the extreme limit it meant to have perfect control of the wheel at all times, as any abstruction that might come up would invariably be within 300 feet, possibly not 100 feet, but that would be ample space to stop or turn out and avoid obstacle if you had the low bar; for when you are dropped down on the bars it throws enough weight on the front wheel to hold it firm on the ground or pavement in case a short turn is needed, and also places the body in such position as to bring the strain between the pedals and handle bars so directly that you can with ease slide the rear wheel, which will stop the progress in a few lengths of the wheel it riding at a high speed. But high bars hit your knees in making short turns, and a sudden shut-down on the pedals means to be thrown from the saddle. And again, the riders of the low bar use the extreme drop only when making speed or in a very crowded street; otherwise they use the handle bar near the head of the machine, which places them in as erect a position as if they had the high bar. I have seen several narrow escapes with both the high and low bar, and in all of them it was cases of: absent-minded people, so enwrapped in;something they had done or were about fe dq that they knew noth- ing else was in,the-street but them until too late to act. Let every one harness his wheel so he can have it under control at all times, and should he meet with accident let the guilty one be punished as any reckless driver or rider should be. And, above all, enforce the regulations of “bell at, all times,/ “lamp at night” and “keep to the rigbi,”’ and, in my opinion, the last, if rigidly enforced, would prevent more accidents than all the handle-bar regulations that,can, be provided. At pres- ent bicycle riders and drivers use the streets promiscugusly, and if you call thelr attention to it you age invariably insulted. But if the police would enforce it to’ the letter for about ;threp months I guarantee we would have. yery, few accidents. MEMBER OF THE TA W., No, 172,943. January 27, 1898. ee An Amendment Proposed, ‘To the Editor of The Evening Stars In yesterday's issue was an article from an unknown bicycle rider, who furnished thie Commissioners with some illustrations on the subject of handle bars. We have heard so much from the self-styled expert and medical men of the upturned bar, would {t not be @ good plan for the Com- the object of this new regulation is to give the rider such a position that he can | See a certain distance ahead of him. Such being the case, why not have the regula- tion read: “Any one riding a bicycle in the city limits in a position that he cannot see two or three hundred yards (or any num- ber which the honorable Commissioners might deem best) ahead of him when he has a hold on the lowest point of the han- dle bar?” This would allow each rider to adjust his wheel to suit his own propor- tions, and yet have the desired result. In justice to the riding fraternity, this sub- ject should be carefully considered, as it deprives the rider of all the pleasures of ridifg to have to go around with his wheel in a position entirely unfitted for him. EM. WILSON. January 27, 1898. SS ee American Bicycles in Germany. Consul Keenan at Bremen, German made a report to the State Department in regard to the proposed increase of duty on the United States bicycle in Germany. He says: “The bill now pending affecting the duty on bicycles comes up for the second read- ing this month. If it passes, the duty will be raised to $12.50 on each wheel. This will, of course, shut out the cheaper grades of bicycles; but that should benefit rather than injure the future of the United States trade, owing to the superiority of Ameri- can wheels. Those well informed do not anticipate a change of tariff. The United States wheel has given much satisfaction and is gaining in popularity.” It would not be advisable, in Consul Keenan’s opinion, to manufacture United States wheels in Germany, but the importa- tion of pieces of American wheels, to be put together afterward, might be worthy of serious consideration in case the proposed legislation is carried into effect. a ees UNIVERSITY NOTES Georgetown University. At the Law School Wednesday evening Judge McComas, the newly elected United States senator from the state of Maryland, was presented with a bouquet of flowers ky the students of the different classes, and the presidents of the organizations of the juniors, seniors and post-graduates each made a short address, congratulating the judge on his recent political success. In response Judge McComas thanked the speekers and the students in general for their pleasant surprise to him, and, after assuring them of his regard for the univer- sity and its students, announced that his Political duties would not remove him from the faculty, and he would still continue as their instructor. The base ball team has not yet done much in the way of practice on account of the inclemency of the weather, but there is plenty of enthusiasm manifest, and a number of candidates have made their ap- pearance and more are expected. Among the most prominent aspirants for positions on the team are the following: Maloney and Ready, catchers; Walsh, Bach, Dowd and Tracy, pitchers; Casey, Dawson and O'Connell, first base; Fleming and EK. Byrne, second base; Hafford, third base; Smith and Moran, short stops; McCarthy, captain, E. Cole, Lamb, Downs, Green and Walsh, and, perhaps, others, fielders. Man- ager Head is at work upon a schedule of games to take place in the clty and out of town. No indoor practice will be had this year, and, as a number of the old players have returned, it is not deemed necessary to engage the services of a-coach. With the exception of the candidate for the relay team which is to compete at the indoor meet of the Boston College on the 15th of next month, none of the athletes are in training. In April a meet will be held at the college under the auspices of the university. The mid-term examinations are about over. A now students’ library is being erected in the southeast corner of the Healy building, directly beneath Collier Hall. The old library has rather poor ac- commodations, and the new one, which will be about the size of the Riggs Library, will be utilized as a reading room, lecture hall for the seniors and for the debates of the Philodemie and Philonomosian societies. The present senior lecture room will be giv en over to the Coleman museum, which is in need of more space, and the ornitholog- ical exhibits placed there. The old library will be used for a shower and needle bath. The following are the speakers selected for the Merrick debate on the 22d of next month: Kirby, '98; Waggaman, '98; Brady, ‘v8, and O'Neill, '99. Mr. Garr, '98, is chair- man. The Philodemic Debating Society is mak- ing an effort to arrange for a contest with the Morris Debating Society. The mass ball, which until two years ago was held annually at the university, has been revived, and on the 21st of next month it will take place. The festivities will con- sist of a dinner at 5:30, a performance of the Dramatic Society entitled “The Critic,” by Richard Sheridan, at 8 p.m., and follow- ing that a grand ball. At the medical school Prof. Sylvester D. Hood is engaged in delivering a series of lectures on “Embryology,” the object being the instruction of the students in the de- velopment of plants. Prof. Simpson has commenced a series of lectures on ‘‘Mol- luses.”” A bowling, pool and billiard tournament will take place in a short time, but the ex- act date has not yet been decided upon. It is also proposed to organize a team to repr resent Georgetown on the bowling aileys. National University. Last Saturday evening the regular lec- ture on dental histology, by Dr. H. J. Al- len, was {llustrated by some very interest- ing stereopticon slides, some of them origi- nal and prepared by Prof. Allen and some being those of Dr. Cryer of Philadelphia. Prof. Caldwell, under whose instruction the class in microscopy is making marked progress, demonstrated, at his first lecture at the medical school, by means of a mi- croscope, the circulation of the blood through the body. Dr. John L. Norris of the faculty has been chosen as resident physician at the Eastern Dispensary. Dr. W. Given Suter has recently become a member of the faculty at the medical school, his subject being hygiene. The senior class in dentistry, under the direction of Dr. Walton, is working on specimen pieces. Columbian University. The Vaudeville Club will give an enter- tainment Mcnday, at which a burlesque, entitled “Queen Lil,” will be presented. ‘The performance is in three acts and will be entirely presenteé by members of the university. The junior law class held a meeting Tues- day evening in the post-graduate hall. Prof. Josiah Pierce, jr., will deliver a course of lectures on “Map Reading” at the university, beginning February 12. ‘The question for debate at the meeting of the law school debating society this evening is “Resolved, That the President's term of office should be lengthened to six years and the President made ineligible to re-election,”” and the speakers are Messrs. D. K. Jackson and J. B. McClure, affirma- uve, and Messrs. Milans and Specht, nega- tive. In the Corcoran Scientific School, in the chemical department, a new cyanide plant is Leing constructed for the purpose of in- structing the students in the practical workings of the modern processes for ex- tracting gold from its ores by the use of potassium cyanide and the deposition of the gold by means of the electric current. The students in assaying, for whose espe- cial benefit the plant is being erected, will be permitted to operate it. A new class in assaying has just been started at the Corcoran Scientific School. Prof. Wiley is now delivering a course of lectures in the school of graduate studies on “Agricultural Chemistry.” The Washington Mycological Club will meet every other Wednesday afternoon at the university for the remainder of the year. ‘The parliamentary law class met last Sat- urday evening. Next Tuesday Prof. Maillet of the Cor- coran Scientific School will commence a special coursegn French conversation. ‘The Enosinian Society, at its last meet- ing, discussed the question, “Resolved, That the Mexican war was unjustifiable.” The affirmative speakers were Messrs. Stuart, Domer and Wright and Miss Mc- Keldon and the negative Messrs, Rogers, Altschu, Faris and Haws. * Examinations in the college department were held all during this week, the follow- ing being the subjects: Physics, German, logic, ethics, history, English, mathemat- cs, political economy, French, chemistry, Greek, Latin, psychology and Bible. litera- ure. % > Howard University. r ‘The present week was a poor one for base ball on account of the wet and blustery weather. With better weather, however, the team expects to get to work again in & short time. The Athletic Association held _a meeting Thursday for the election of officers and other business. Last Saturday evening the C. E. Society held a missionary meeting, at which Mr. cc. » secretary of the American missionary board, delivered an address. The Eureka held its regular weekly meet- ing last evening and the following program was rendered: Essay, E. Richie; recitation, Miss Phyllis Perry; oration, D. S. Boss: paper, Miss C. Love. A debate closed the exercises of the evening. The speakers were W. J. Conway and P. V. Walton, affirmative and negative, re spectively, and the question: “Resolved, That a people can reach a higher state of civilization under a republican form of gov- ernment than under any other govern- ment.” The Alpha Phi Literary its series of public debates on Friday next, when the question, “Resolved, That the negro, in his present condition, should seek manual training In preference to higher ed. ucation,” will be debated by the followin W. O. Bundy, N. H. Thomas and Da son Brister, affirmative, and W. Scott Brown, T. G. Nutter and L. T. Gillam, neg- ative. Society will give Catholic University. The feast of St. Paul was observed as a holiday last Tuesday at the university. Pontifical mass was celebrated by Arch- bishop Martinelli in Divinity Chapel and Very Rev. Dr. Bouquillon preached the ser- mon. In the law department a very successful moot court, which meets every Friday from 11:30 to 1 o'clock, has been instituted, un- der the direction of Prof. Edmond B. Briggs of the law faculty. Rev. E. A. Pace, D.D., of the faculty of the university delivered a lecture on “How We See” Thursday at the university to a large audience. This was the first public lecture of the new year. Others will occur from time to time through February and March, the next being on the topic, “Il- lusions of Sight.” by Dr. Pace, who will be followed by Prof. M. F. Egan, Mr. S. R. Mallory, Very Rev. Dr. Shahan. Prof. Charles P. Neill and Prof. D. W. Shea. Mr. Carroll D. Wright, commissioner of labor, has resumed his lectures on political economy, which occur every Wednesday afternoon in McMahon Hall. The Father Mathew lectures on “Total Abstinence” will be delivered in New York this year under the auspices of the univer- sity. Very Rev. Mgr. Conaty preached at the Cathedral, Chicago, last Sunday in aid of a collection for the university. ‘Thursday he delivered an address before the Brooklyn Institute on the subject “The Ideal Ameri- cai The Bulletin for January, which has just made its appearance, is one of the most in- teresting issues yet published. Among its contributors among the students and facul- ty of the university are the following: Rev. Edward T. Shannahan, Dr. Bouquillon, Rey. E. A. Pace, Rev. Edward F. Green and Prof. M. F. Egan. ‘The library is in receipt of fifty volumes of the old English authors, thirty-three volumes of diplomatic correspondence from the Department of State and also a num- ber of publications from the Smithsonian Institution. aS te Thinking Aloud. From the Youth's Companion. One of the Earls of Dudley, who was addicted to the practice of thinking aloud, found himself in a very awkward predica- ment on a certain occasion. He was to spend the evening at the house of a friend, and ordered his carriage early, as he had a long drive. When the hour arrived the carriage was not forthcoming. Seeing that Lord Dudley was considerably annoyed by the delay, one of the guests, whose way homeward lay past his lordship’s house, politely offered him a seat in his carriage. The guest was almost a stranger to Lord Dud- ley, but the offer was accepted. The drive did not prove a very sociable one. Lord Dudley took his seat and re- lapsed into silence. Presently he began to speak in a low but distinctly audible tone of voice, and his companion, to his aston- ishment, heard him say: “I'm very sorry I accepted his offer. I don’t know the man, It was civil, certain- ly, but the worst fs, I suppose, I must ask him to dinner.” Silence followed this bit of audikje think- ing. His lordship was unaware that he had betrayed his thoughts, and was probably still meditating upon the same unpleasant subject, when the voice of his companion broke the stillness. Apparently this stranger was afflicted with the same malady from which his lord- ship suffered, for he exactly imitated Lord Dudley's tone as he said: “Perhaps he'll think I did it to make his acquaintance. Why, I would have done the same to any farmer on his estate. I hope he won't ask me to dinner, for I shan’t accept his invitation.” Lord Dudley’s abstraction was all gone. He listened to the other's words, im- mediately comprehending the joke against himself, and frankly offered his hand to bis companion, making many apologies for his involuntary rudeness. The stranger proved magnanimous, and from that night the two became’ fast friends, The Bulgaria From Longman’s Magazine. Since 1877 the country has been at peace, save for a few trifling frontier disturb- ances, and a generation of young men has grown up who have never seen a shot fired in anger. Moreover, the old cause of anger against the Turk has been removed, for It is no longer Turkish soil that Montenegro covets. Yet the old men who stride up and down the street of Cettinje in gorgeous rai- ment, their silken belts bristling with pis- tol and knife, still talk of nothing but the good old times when the man who wanted money or arms had only to cross the fron- tier into Albania and take them; and they still pray that they may have a chance of striking another blow. All the men, young and old, are organ- ized and armed as soldiers; no man ever leaves his house without a loaded pistol in nis belt; in fact, the uniform consists of the pistol and the red cap bearing the prince’s initials. For the rest, all wear much the same costume—viz., a tight red or green jacket, cunningly embroidered by an Albanian tailor, and often adorned with gold buttons, loose blue knickerbockers, white gaiters and sheepskin sandals and a bright silk sash wound round and round the waist to support the leather cartridge bag, the pistol and the yataghan; over all, for full dress, a long tunic of white or green, and in wet or cold weather a narrow plaid thrown across the shoulders. A man going on a journey always carries his rifle, as well, slung across his back; but times have changed since a man livifg near the frontier never left his house for work or play without his loaded musket. ————+e+. Where the World Lives, From Tit-Bits. Of every 1,000 inhabitants of the globe,* 558 live in Asia, 242 in Europe, 111 in Af- rica, 82 in America, 5 in Oceana and the Jar regions, and cnly 2 in Australia. Asia Rentaine more than one-half of the’ total pcpulation of the earth, and Europe nearly ore-fourth. THE PEOPLE HEARD IT —— GLADLY How Doctor McCoy’s New Year Message Was Received— Platform Adapting the Prac- tice to Needs of People in Moderate Circumstances. Tt is the unexpected that Is happening today, for greater even than the number of people who filled the McCoy offices during the concluding days of the year is the number that has applied during the Fast werk In response to Doctor McCoy's New Year Message. > It is that which never happened before tm the history of this practice. Following a definite state- ment of a uniform rate for a definite time, there are applying for treatment almost twice as great @ number of people as those who took advantage of the given rate. There are being welcomed at the McCoy offices not only those desiring to place themselves under treatment, but friends of the sick, sceking knowle edge of the treatment. firs. Margaret A. Seward, 814 L st, s.e. Cured of deafness almost a year ago, hearing perfectly now. DISEASES OF THE EARS. the Eustachian tube that | throat to the car. SIs your hearing, failing 7” “Do y * Are the ears dry “Is there throbbing in t ** Have you pain behind ‘Is there a buzzing s0u “Do you ha’ “Is your hearing bad el “Do you have eara * Are there sounds Ii “Do your ears burt when you blow your nose?"® “Do you constantly hear noises in t “Do you bear b some days than others “Do the noises in your ears keep you awak. * When you blow your nose do the ears crack? you have a cold erfall in the he your hearing worse wi “Is there roaring like a wa’ There are being recetved letters from new pas tients with whom there was an apprehension or an inference that after the close of the uniform rates there would be what is termed the “high-fee” policy, These letters express unlocked for surprise and gratitude. In a word, the result of Dr. McCoy's New Year message, in which he stated that the departure from & one-fee plan to a system of just and ade- quate charges for all diseases was not a raising of rates, has been the greatest throng of people that ever visited these offices. In a word, the platform as to fees and charges given in Doctor McCoy's New Year Message has awakened the attention and gratitude of a larger number of people than was ever before attracted by an announcement made in these columns. So that it may be said that wlille the crowds Who filled the offices during the concluding days of the uniform rate constituted a certain tribute to the fame of the practice, a more direct and un- qualified tribute is paid in the fact that the New Year Message has attracted even a greater number of people. To @ certain extent those who thronged the of- fices during the close of the rate were giving evi- dence of their own prudential spirit; there was the element of pressure in the Mimit of time; the trib- ute was not an unmixed or unqualified one—whtl that vast number who are now responding to tho ified evidence ceive a trial treatment without cost, without pay, or out expectation to pay. Al people who have slight or tri ments, purely Catarrhal conditi easily capable of a speedy cure un- der the new methods, will be charged only 2 trifling fee, while those who have dific obstinate or serious diseases, requiring a special and long-continued care a attention, ill be charged a fee commensurate with the care and attention they re= quire. Reading Matter Free to All. PERMANENT OFFICES: Dr. J. Cresap McCoy, Dr. J. M. Cowden, Cousulting Physicians, 715 13th Street Northwest. Office houre: 9 a.m. to 12 m.; 2 to S p.m.; 7 te 8 p.m. Sundays and holidays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wise in His Generation. From Tit-Bits. “I want,” said the recently married man in the novelty store, “a lady’s belt.” “Yes, sir,” said the polite shop empress, at size?” A blush mantled the customer's brow, and he swallowed twice in rapid succession. Then he said: “I don’t know exactly. Let me have a measure, pleas: And as he placed it along the inside of his arm, from shoulder to wrist, the shop empress nodded wisely and remarked beneath her breath to = chum: “He isn’t the fool he looks, is e | | OO CDEC OLDE CCOLES EOE DOS CECCEN DOOR CCCOOR ODE CCCCCCCCS: ‘Blue Label’ represent all that’s good in Soups; nine- teen varieties; made from best buyable materials; carefully prepared, in kitchens that are models of cleanliness. Put up in sterilized tasteless cans— ask your grocer. CURTICE BROTHERS CO., Rocuzsrza, ¥. ¥.