Evening Star Newspaper, February 12, 1898, Page 20

20 POPULAR DIPLOMATS America’s Representatives at the Court of St. James, ——__.—___= COLONEL HAY AND HIS ASSISTANTS Divers and Sundry Duties That Devoive Upon the Embassy. —_—_—__— White's hands during his occastonal terms as charge d'affaires, and have been handled with complete success. Mr. John Ridgely Carter, the second sec- retary of the embassy, is one of those Americans, too few in number, who have chosen diplomacy as a profession and have remselves for its pursuit as a man iy to become a soldier, a lawyer or a civil engineer. Mr. Carter is well known in Washington, where he has lived, and is a native of Baltimore—a son of Mr. Bernard Carter. He studied international law at Harvard, in Germany, Paris and Washington, has traveled much and is on ng terms with the languages which a diplomat is likely to encounter. He came to London as secretary to Mr. Bayard, was «fterwards promoted to the second sec- retaryship and has been retained in Colonel Hay’s regime because of his conspicuous qualifications for the position. The ambassador chose for his secretary Mr. Sp er Eddy, who is a Chicagoan 1 ently graduated from Harvard, IN HANDSOME QUARTERS - Special Jones of The Evening Star. February 1, 1898. HE sk TWO or three the He ns of repul ei America re gathe roona tie foreign itably arises cassion of that la- nly anomalous 1 haphazard insti- —the diplomat- of their id. There is » found the zentleman from Mur- s his kair in the middle, with a hyphen, who tives of his country seated in the stand in front viewed t on ju lepr2sen pilee day jand i ere he distinguished himself as an ath- te, playing in the foot ball team and row- three years in the boat. The steam-en- gine energy required for these diversions he infus ito whatever he may undertake, and he is another young man who regards iplomacy as a profession demanding study, s forward to it as a career. Re- cently he was offered the position of secre- tary of legation with Mr. Bryan of Chicago, | ¥ho has been appointed minister to Brazil, but preferred to continue at his present post. Naval and Military Attaches. The navai and military attaches are the free lances of diplomacy, their duties fall- ing cutside of the routine and being prin- cipally to keep their eyes open to foreign movements the line of their professions. The new military attache, Colonel Bates, is expected to be a congenial addition to the embassy circle. The naval attache has been a particularly important official dur- ing the recent rumors of wars. One who inquires tco curiously into the nature of the duties of a naval attache will get his thirst for information but slightly appeased. In a general way he is supposed to know of St. Paul's Cathedral, humble blots of black e clothes against a glittering sheen of gold lace, scarlet, gr2en, sky-blue, rs and general barbaric mag- rewith the opulent old world are accustomed to d2ck their ure-heals on ceremonial occasions. He s this somber contrast presented by ted States a burning, hi break- m2, does Mr. Schuyler hyphen Vaa an famy that cries to for redress. He would have Col. Col. John Hay of Pike county fame, who conceived ce wh chies heaven ight better business arcund the throne person in a red jacket, skin- doeskin breeches and a brass helmet tig: with feathers, and Mr. Henry White trip- sword, like a mejor of ma- Tires, misgauged his champagne capaci e the steps to his club in the gleaming of a Washington New = are going into th> diplomatic bus- iness at all, we do it properiy,” -de- the gen n from Murray’ Hill, “and put our ¢ on a footing with e from other nations e is prone to cite as specimens of the Ameri diplomat one-time minister to Germany, who vsed to attend upon state ceremonials in the most uniqr dilapi- 1 cab which ce e chartered in the hborhoed of by-zenteel lodg- that ¢ oy extraordinary = coat on my er will.” le of the h. aining the otk tion from Si fre2-born Am citizen has | elf in plush knicker- | e consecrated hands of cherishes conv that should let would at Weshingto: Must Stand Criticism. No schoolmaster who sits upon a pedestal eev With the eyes of fifty } rebellious 2 focused upon his every movement, can be the victim of more mi- ereseopic criticism than a diplomat suffers at the hands of hb mpatriots. If he all, he inevitably If he be blessed with American spirit, so can accuse him of backsliding ocratic standards whiie displaying ef local forms which refutes at Ameri re untutored in mpt to F an tisty tact to pri non from de rs, he may fa dered arcer of the nt am- nd i best guarantee ful bill. To have tial secr2tary to Lincoln rebellion, when the White theater of more action and any -r four years of to have had two years tion at Paris, when the its zenith; a, while Austrian heat; four yasars at during the inter- strain of a Cuban rebellion, and assistant secretary of state; F rolling editor of and passed yhere of pc on—should surely ich pervales Wastt it a man for any post » sphere of diplomacy. During man the offici of the mouthpiece he United the court of St the co! between Uruguay and Venezuela. Happil Our ministers were, with hardly an excep- Mr. Henry White. fes that what t for the foremost © eyes of they © governme n—placed its d=le- © man who supposed of Min- in the n personage con- he comes down e looks like a duke.” , James Russell coin and the others on the wali above men whose rank no eyes of their coun- t titles, gilding and formalities in Europe than they do at a Briton who would not id affect in the everything which foreign navies may be do- ing, where their ships are sailing and why, what new cnes they are building and how, s of equipment, guns, pow- ner points which are Greek How great latitude may be in the methods of collecting such been a debated ques- ts. Lieutenant Colwell ell posted. His den in the crowded with nautical uments and naval parapher- s it a ship-like air. Here he paces his deck, ruddy, broad-shouldered, with a suggestion of the briny in his stride, while confidentially hinting to an American who predicts direful things for the United ate: 4 in case war with a naval exer inform: tion . can give odds to any armada on the He is the hardest working man the embassy, and the belated passerby may often see the midnight oil burning from his office windows. Frequently he packs his trunk and vanishes from the face of the earth, his nearest friends professing profound ignorance of his whereabouts. After a few days he reappears and his cabin is stacked with more documents and stranger devices of War, but where he has been only he knows and perhaps also the mysterious men who slide in daily to hold whispered councils of war. For one whole week the naval attaches from the conti- nental embassies were in conclave in Lieu- tenant Colwell’s office, and the American newspaper correspondents, be it written down to the credit of their patriotism, de- nied themselves the luxury of heating the» cables with a fresh war scare. The Social Side. The most attractive phase of the diplo- matic life, however, and the line of duty which appeals most strongly to aspirants for office is the social one. The families of the present embassy are taking more con- spicuous places in London society than most of their predecessors have filled. In- deed, the McKinley administration is likely to be remembered in Europe by the scale of its diplomatic establishments, for Gen- eral Draper has chartered the most magnifi- cent palace in Rome, and is dazzling the Italians by the splendor of his entertain- nts. General Porter has the finest diplo- dence in Paris, and Mr. Bellamy id to be setting the pace for the four hundred of Brussels. Colonel Hay has the big town house of Lord Lans- , on Carlton House terrace, within a throw of Marlborough house, with a y his next door neighbor and the German embassy, Lord Lonsdale and William Waldorf Astor in the same row. From its rear porticoes the house has a fine view of St. James Park, with its foun- tains, lakes and drives, with the foreign office and other government buildings op- posite and the towers of parliament and Westminster abbey rising beyond, all form- ing a beautiful picture on the rare even- ings, when the sun strikes the scene. Mr. White and Mr. Carter have fine resi- ences in Belgravia, and during the winter -ason, When fashionable London keeps it- self in its country houses, Mr. White charters a handsome place near Windsor, whence he makes daily trips by train to his desk in the y. If any citizens con- der all this out of tune with the republl- an simplicity which Benjamin Franklin adhered to abroad they may have the con- solation that the government is not taxed it, because the salaries of none of the icials mentioned would meet their rent Moreover, Americans would doubt- prefer to s their representatives hold- ‘The milies of the embassy in London appear to be personae gratae in the most desirable houses of England. Colonel and Mrs. Hay i Mr. and Mrs. White have been invited = to dine with the queen, the highest ark of social distinction attainable in ngland, one rarely extended to any diplo- mat but an ambassador, and seldom to him. lt was probably to Colonel Hay’s advan- tage that he came to England heralded as a literary man rather than a diplomat, for nowhere are literary attainments held in highe m, and the circle of a literary man's popularity in England is wider than any other's except the champion cricketer. Certainly it was to the advantage of the Look trade. London booksellers have learn- ed to take a lively interest in the advent of in r of the United States at to the ambassador. nd really improved the merican representative ‘afle, and thereby eproved his opportunities for us-fulness. Personnel of Our Embassy. lent Cleve standing of the The personnel of the present American embassy in London particularly qualifies it in this field. Mr. Henry the secretary, is one of the most accomplished giplomats in the service of the United States. He might have been minister to Spain In this administration, the mission of foremost importance, but he preferred to return to the post which he had held since 1883, with a hiatus during Mr. Bayard’s term. The first diplomatic ney an administration in the United States as an opportunity for new editions and expect to emblazon their windows with portraits of the new American minister and placards ef his books. The shelves of every book store are packed with the “Poems of John liay” in volumes ranging from the sixpen- y pocket edition to full morocco. Every nglishman knows the ambassador primari- ly as a poet, though most of his verses are products of his younger days, and they are surprised to be told that he is the au- thor also of a historical work, which the average American looks upon awesomely as one of the books he intends to read — day as he does Paradise Lost and Gib- on. No Primrose Path. Despite the popular presumption to the contrary, the footstaps of diplomats are not commission held by Mr. White was secre- tary of legation in Vienna from 1881 to 1883, but his name is fdentified with the London office, and few members of the diplomatic corps have a more intimate acquaintance with the ins and outs of English affairs, with the men who control the British em- pire, and better understand how to deal with them. Some of the most delicate ne- tiations between the United States and land in recent yeare have been in Mr. always along the primrose path. One Gay spent in the offices of the »mbassy, which are in Victoria street just below the ab- bey, would convince a taxpayer that some of them earn their salaries. Perhaps it is because in republican theory an official is a servant of the people that we Americans expect from them so many services that @ Evropean, who holds his officers more in THE EVENING STAR, the light of rulers, would never think of geking. Saveral thousand Americans visit ingland évery year. Ninéty per cent of the tourists call at the embassy, some merely to pay.their respects to the am- bassador, others to get passports to trav21 on the continent, to be directed to hotels and boarding houses, to ask the ftanding of business firms, to procure passes to the hcuses of parliament, to palaces and cathe- drals, or to borrow mon2y to take them home. All of them are received politely. Many who cannot come to England write. Englishmen call and write also to inquir> the whereabouts of John Smith, their wife's nephew, who emigrated to America in the “fifties,” or to know why they are not re- ceiving dividends on the stock of the Gold Brick Mining Company, or to secure speci- fications as to the value of farming land in Barren county, Kansas, or whether it will be safe to ship a consignment of goods on credit to Samuel Slick of Chicago. Much of the routine work consists in voicing polite regrats that impossible things cannot be done. The ladies take refusal mest bitterly to heart. A limited number of them can, upon, nomination of the em- bassy, be present2d to the queen at each drawing room. An unlimited number ap- ply. Every one who draws a blank goes home and says unpleasant things tbout the secretaries, generally, for lack cf more specific charges, that th>y are ‘“un-Ameri- can.” Their husbands sometimes consent to be interviewed by the home papers to the same effect. Nearly every one who comes to the em- bassy asks to see the ambassador. All who have any business with him ar> ush- ered into his office, for the atmosphere of the establishment is American, while Col. Hay is credited by his Heutenants with taking more of th> actual work into his own hands than most of his predecessors have done. Mr. Hodson, “Clark.” Every caller, however, first meets Mr. Hodson, who is possessed of a positive genius, acquired through long exp2rience, of winnowing the chaff from the wheat. Mr. Charles Hodson is an Englishman, one of the Jolly roast-beef-plum-pudding type, but boasts that he has lived for thirty years on American soil, having been attach2d to the embassy for that time. By official designation, Mr. Hodson is what is termed in the patois “clark,” but practically he is a “Pooh Bah;” his mind is a city directory of London, and a code of diplomatic forms. He has an able understudy in his son, Mr. Frank Hodson. Mr. Hodson senior has stood at the 2lbow of several ministers and has in his keeping most of the diplomatic secrets of a generation, out one would as scon have expected the late Capt. Baseett to prattle about ex:cutive sessions as Mr. Hodson to convey confidential matters in his purview. In reminiscent hours he will retail endless stories of famous minis- ters, while the favored few 2 permits to read a poem addressed to him by James Ressell Lowell (never printed), whereby, in humorous vers>, Minister Lowell charged him to forward a certain brand of tobacco, and pictured how, should the commission be neglected, his ghost, with an unlighted clay between its teeth, would forever dog Hodson’s footsteps. Occasionally he fishes from his personal archives a packet of letters from Mr. Lowell written after the minister's return to America, all classics in their way, one of them ending with the declaration “1 had ratner be loved than famous.” Stories of Robert Lincoin are his de- light. There seems to have been a stereo- typed dialogue between the minister and his clerk. Mr. H.—“There's another man here to see your excellency. I think he wants to borrow morey.” Mr. Lincoln (wearily)—“Did ne know my father?” S Mr. H.—“He Mr. LincolIn— ys he did, sir.” ‘They all did. Slept thre2 in a bed with him often, I suppose. Bring him in.” Callers of this class, borrowers and cranks, Mr. Hodson detects with eagle ey Of course there are many deserving cases but there are innumerable sharpers one who recently brought to the embassy a faked letter from a fabulous American who was incarcerated in a physician derce on the mest staidl: of the city to be vivise the affair being « reward for delivering the note. Americans Who Go Broke. The amount cf money which members of the embassy disburse from their private purses in the way of charity forms one of their important items of expenses. astonishing number of Americans broke” in Europe every year, and every ™man of them betakes himself to the em- bassy confident that he will be sent home. There is no delusion as widely prevalent as the myth that the government maintains a fund for this purpose. Unfortunates who have friends likely to lend them money al- ways find the embassy willifig to cable home for them. Others, except particular- ly deserving cases, must shift for them- selves, though no American in real need is turned away without the price of a meal or two. Mr. White, speaking of this matter, once said: “We always look out for American girls who come to grief in London. Men can get along in some way, but a girl might be driven to take to the streets, and we could not see that. So we always find Toney to send them home. It is surpris- ing how many American girls come to London expecting to make their way es typewriters, singers, at journalism or in some other fashion. They discover that the opportunities for work for women here are much fewer than in the United States. A few, a very few, succeeded, but the great jority fail.” Mr. White, it may be added, though he would probably not crave wide circulation for the fact, keeps an account with the steamship companies for the passages of Geserving Americans who become stranded in London. The American banking firms here also contribute liberally to this char- ity. Two or three American girls whose marriages with supposed noblemen filled much space in the society columns of New York newspapers, but who discovered later their titles were not listed by Debret, and their castles were only in Spain, have keen consigned back to their families with- out publicity. The labors of American officials abroad, it will be seen, extend into divers fields not centemplated by State Department regu- lations. In return therefor government be- stows upon them the privilege of drawing their own checks for many disbursements absolutely demanded by their position which other nations expect to defray from the public treasury. They have also the cheerful prospect that however faithful their service and whatever their qualifica- tions, they may be dismissed upon the advent of a new President to make places for raw politicians. The President looks through the blue book and say: dere is Spain, or China, a soft berth for some good fellow who has swung primaries into line, who wants leisure to write a book or to shine in society.” And forthwith revolution or foreign war makes eruption in Spain or China and American mer- chants find their interests in the hands of the ‘good fellow,” who, having no notion whatever of the nguage or the condi- tions, is as a new-born babe in the hands of life-long plotters. But to hint that there should always be places in the serv- ico for such men as Mr, Hay, Mr. White ard Mr. Carter is to desire the creation of a privileged class which would undermine the props of the republic. ROBERT M. COLLINS. Sasa STOLEN SUNDRIES. It is wonderful to-relate that an entire week has passed without the loss of a single wheel being reported to the police department. The detective in charge of bicycle work cannot understand it, but he is glad, all the same, as he has plenty of work on his hands. It is the first week for some time that such a record can be pointed to. Whether the thieves are keep- ing quiet for a grand haul, or whether they are afraid of being arrested and sent to jail for the crime, is hard to surmise. Only three thefts were reported during the week, and they are as follows: S. H. Riggles, 1322 Vermont avenue, re- ported that his Bath lamp was stolen from his bicycle while in front of 311 East Capi- tol street. Felix T. Moore, 939 H street northwest, reports the theft of a North Star lamp, taken from his wheel while in front of 311 East Capitol street. John N. Oliver complains that a kit of tools was purloined from his wheel while standing in front of the Arlington drug store, at Vermont avenue and H street. —+.+—_—_. Deserved. From Puck. “He married her bscause she was wealthy, and she has led him a merry chase ever since the wedding. “He ts getting a run for his money, then.”” SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1898—24 PAGES, CLUB‘GOSSIP. Were it not for thé‘calendar announcing ‘ebruary, one would think that It was sortie time in May, when the days are delightful for riding and the bicycle fever of the’ club men is at its greatest height. Should tomorrow prove fine, a number of “wheels will be seen around the city, the roads being too bad for riding just at present. There is little of {nterest in the local bicycle world, and hdedly any prospects of anything turning up,);The arrangement of a@ match race between Moran and Le Compte of Baltimorelhas created some in- terest among a go ny riders. This event is some dayspff, though. Racing prospects are being falked of, and as yet there {is no brightness in the horizon. While Baltimore has made arrangements already for its annual Decoration day meet, nothing at all has been done in this city. As this meet practically opens the racing season, nothing beyond that date is yet thought of. Capit Bi. Club. Congratulations have been in order dur- ing the past wcck among the members of the Capital Bi. Club over the success of their cycle show, which closed last Satur- day night. It is the only cycle show which will be held in this city this season, and all of the dealers who placed wheels on exhibition were well satisfied with te re- sults. The interest this year was larger than ever, and, in fact, was larger than Was expected, and the members were pleased from this standpoint alone. The show ran for three days, and all dur- ing the past week the club members have been talkin: over the merits of the differ- ent makes, preparatory to selecting mounts for the coming season. Last evening a large drive whist party was participated in by the members of the club and their friends. The prizes were pretty and closely contested. After supper an informal dance was the order, and add- ed_to the evening's pleasure. Saturday night is the date of the month- ly meeting A number of new members will Be admitted to the club, and also de- bate made on the newly proposed trophy championship whist matches, under aus- spices of the Atlantic Whist League, of which the club is an active member. Whist and chess are considered, as usual, the proper thtnz, and uightly many members are to be found avsorbed in their chosen game. Iverything tends to a very active Wheeling season {uz 1808, and weekly runs will be called, depending’ on the weather. Next Friday a german will be given, at which Dr. Wirt will lead. Century Cycle Club. Captain Byrnes did not call a run last Sunday. Several members started on a run to Cabin John, but were compelled to re- turn home on account of the muddy condi- tion of the roads. As Captain Byrnes says, “the mud horses positively refused to do their work.” In the party were Messrs. Rosson, Williams, Denny, O'Connor, Byrnes, Hadger and Barnharit. Upon their return to the club rooms they found Mr. Griffith actively engaged in Nxing up the rooms. When the task of furnishing the place is completed they will be among the prettiest rooms of their kind in the city, The regular monthly meeting of the clu Was held last Monday evening and was well attended. The increase in the a -end- ance at the meeting has been quite notic: ble of late and tends to keep up the interest among the club members. The by-laws of the club were amended at this meeting and the house rules drawn up by the board of governors were approved and accepted. ‘The honor certificate received by Captain Byrnes from the Century Cycling Club of Maryland last week for having finished the largest percentage of/riders on the century run from Baltimore ‘to Frederick on Octo- ber 10 last, finishing/ien of the eleven: rid- ers who started, wasjread by the secretar Upon the unanimous: vote of the club t s tary was instruéted to send a vote of thanks to the secréfary of the Century Cycling Club of Maryland. The. certificate has been framed and now adorns the wal! of the club rooms. The amusement committee is still hard at work, completing details for the entertain- ment, which will take place at. Odd Fel- lows’ Hall, February . The -entertain- ment will be followéd by a dancé, ‘and {| success Is assured. Messrs. West, Boyle, Hasler, Reed, Dimmick, Rosson, Jones, Galeski and Witilams were appointed on the committee to assist Messrs. Anderson, Chandlee and Griffith, who were appointed at a recent meeting of the club. The basket ball team played an excellent game with Company C last Saturday night at the W. L. I. Hall, and have shown a marked improvement in the work over previous games. John Barghausen, who broke the record for goal throwing on this oceasion, by winning five out of six goals, instead of four out of five, as was ai nounced, is improving wonderfully. John is a valuable man both on the team and as a club member, and is always on hand to help the boys out. The work of Dodd, Abell, Monroe and O'Connor is also worthy of mention. Mr. Chas. H. Coons, the popular president of the Centurians, has returned to the city after an extended business trip in the northern part of New York, and presided at the meeting last Monday night. The next regular meeting of the club will be held Monday. March 7, at which time the annual election of officers for the ensu- ing year will take place. Mr. Edwin Baker, the amateur actor, has Kindly offered his services to the club in the entertainment to be given. ‘The part is admirably filled by him, and the club is greatly ifldebted to him for his services. Captain Byrnes will accompany two riders on a century run tomorrow morning to prove their ability to ride 100 miles with- in the limit—fourteen hours—pricr to the application for membership being accepted. The run will be to Anglers’ club house and return, thence to Ashton and return, thence to Centerville, Md., and return to the city. The century will not be an offi- clal one, and those desiring to take the run will be at the club house, E street, tomorrow morning at 6 o'clock sharp. Arlington Wheelmen, No regular run was made last Sunday. Some of the members who assembled at the starting point, however, rode to the ith street wharf and enjoyed an oyster feast. The club possesses some members who would undoubtedly create a sensation were they to compete in an oyster-eating match. Notably amorg these may be mentioned Capt. Murphy (who holds the club chain- pionship), President Gettinger, L. L. Hard- ing and J. D. Frazee. The committee in charge of the club dance and banquet, which was held Tues- day evening, 8th instant, were fully re- warded for their !aborious work in behalf of the affair by the success of the dance and banquet e1d the enjoyable time every one present apparently had. The event was a briiliant club aftair in every particular, and the entire club is gratified over the su cess of its ninth annual dance and banquet. The unanimous verdict of all present was that each succeeding annual event of the club surpasses any of its predecessors. Notwithstanding the inerease of the initi- ation fee of $10, it is authoritatively stated that one, and very likely’ threa (the number requisite to bring the membership up to the limit) applications will be received at the rext regular meeting,! - President Gettingeri left Monday after- noon for St. Louis, where he was to repre- sent the local division im the National As- sembly of the League of American Wheel- men, which convene@ Wednesday, Febru- ary 8. He will be absent about one week. Many of the winged Ajs are mounted on their new wheels, ang a conservative state- ment would be that at the next regular run one dozen '08s will be in line, a major- ity of which will be-fulb nickel-plated. Mr. John Davis, gne-of the new mem- bers, who has been ify i cone from the ef- fects of a severe col, {s convalescent. Mr. Joe Grimes, the heaviest bicyclist in the world, 555 pounds; will in all probabil- ity take a run tomarrow with the boys. The bad condition of the roads last week prevented him from making the run sched- uled for last Sunday morning. The run will most likely be a “city run,” the starting place and time being as heretofore an- nounced. Acme Cycle and Social Club. The club held its last meeting on Tuesday at the residence of Mr. Richard Ballinger, No. 1022 3ist street. The business on hand occupied considerable time, and after being dispensed with the mecting adjourned. The beys were then furnished with all kinds of smoking material, games of different va- rieties, lots of good music and quite a bountiful repast, which, it is needless to say, was enjoyed immensely. ‘The boys are looking forward to the time when they will be settled in a comfortable club house, as it is the intention to h the club with all kinds of ami re- ee to fulfill the enjoyment of its mem- rs. The application of Mr. George Moore, re- ceived at the last meeting, was accepted and he was elected a member. Applica- tions are now open to those desiring to be- come members of this club, and can be had of any of its members or from the sec- retary, Arthur L. Grimes, 3208 O street northwest. The next meeting will be held at the resi- dence of Mr. J. B. Bernard, 2505 M street northwest, Tuesday, February 15. It is expected, as soon as the roads are in condition, that several runs will be call- ed. If favorable weather continues until Sunday a run will be made to Cabin John bridge. Levant Wheelmen. The springlike weather which we have had for the last few days is causing the riding fever to get among the boys, and when they appear on the streets this sum- mer in their light suits, with wine and gray-striped jerseys and black stockings, there will be no resisting them. The ffouse hunting committee, Messrs. Grace, Pollock and H. Herrell, are doing their utmost to select desirable quarters. As soon as a new home fs secured it will be fitten up in excellent style. At the last regular meeting of the club it was decided to give a smoker on its an- niversary, which will occur March 7. The committee having this in charge is com- posed of Capt. Hutchinson and Lieut. Nor- ris. The club decorater, Mr. Schine, will assist with the artistic arrangements. Mr. Lee Herrell, the popular secretary- treasurer of the club, who has been on the sick list, is out again, much improved in health. The club will take a run to Ashton, Md., tomorrow morning, starting from the club headquarters, 639 Pennsylvania avenue southeast, at sharp. SOME WORLD'S RECORDS In response to an inquiry for world rec- ords for one mile and for an hour, extend- ing back for five or six years, the following tables are printed, giving the desired in- formation. It will be seen that there are thirty-seven broken records for the mlie within the space of seven years, while for the hour record exactly the same number is given, but the date extends back over twen- ty years. This only serves to show that it must be easier to break the mile record than it is the hour record. The inquiry for the records seems to be made under the be- lief that mie Michael, the Welsh won- der, who is the champion middle distance rider of this country, holds the world’s rec- ord for both the mile and the hour. This is @ mistake. In the hour records Michael's name is conspicuous by its absence, despite the fact that he has done some excellent riding in this country. He does, however, hold the hour record for this country, though not for the world. In connection with the tables there Is an interesting study showing the gradual diminution of time in the mile record, from 2.20 3-5 In 18) to 1.36 in 1897, a reduction of O44 seconds for the seven years’ work. This may be a small limit, but vet from a racing point of view it is quite large. And there are plenty of people who firmly be- Neve that the limit will be brought down to ene minute for the mile. Seven years ago it was the object of all riders to cover a mile under the two minute mark. Now it is the desire to make it in one minute. Taking the past as an indication, and at the same proportion, it will be fully five or six years before the minute mark will be attained. A decrease of forty-four sec- ends in seven years is equivalent to an an- nual average decrease of over six seconc yet during the seven years the record has been broken thirty-seven times, or over an average of five times a year. This clearly shows that the margin of breaking was ex- tremely slight, and only attained by de- grees. The table is as follow. huson, Johnson ae Hamilton - McDuffie . Platt-Bette J. Platt B TW. Stock f.... Jas. Michael. 2 Oct.” 7, 186 lying start. s—Standing start. r—Paced by a running horse. e—Paced by an electric motor and not recognized by the L. A. W. On an English tr: “It is also pleasing to note that over thirty times the record was broken in America and by Americans. The table of hcur records is also an equally interesting study. It dates back to the time of the ordinary bicycle, and in one instance includes the tricycle. It ing was first introduced. In fact it can be said to have gone all through the history of the wheel, and the honor fought for in England, France and America. From nearly six miles the record has been brought up to thirty-two and more than a half mil This in proportion is a much better showing than the mile record. The full record, extending back to 1876, is as follow Dodds (1)... Shoppee (1) Weir (1). Chr'stis (1) Cortis (1) Cortis (1) Corths (1) English Furnivall (i) Laurie (1) Dubols (2). E. Osmond A.V Dubois (2). August eptember 1 November a Michael (23 Bouhours (2). ‘ks (1) Chase (1). ‘'T. Linton (2) T. Linton (1) Stocks (1) 82 1084 a) (1) Englist: tracks, () French tracks. (3) American track. (4) First time pacemaking was used, (5) Ordinary records, (G) Tricycle record. AMATEUR MATCH RACE The announcement of the arrangement of @ match race between A. C. Moran of this city and W. G. LeCompte of Baltimore, to take place Decoration day at Baltimore, will be greeted with more than ordinary in- terest by the local wheelmen. The distance will be for twenty-five miles, and it will be the first middle distance race for amateurs that has as yet been arranged. Of late match racing in bicycledom has become quite a fad, exciting much more interest than a regular open event. This has been demonstrated over and over again within the past six or eight months. The matches, however, have been confined to professional riders,and they have been getting big purses for the same. Michael, on account of his ce aS a professional middle dis- eae has 5 the main figure for such events, and he has invariably succeed- ed in maintaining his unblemished reputa- tion as a terrifice rider for pacing work. Other riders of lesser prominence have been matched for middie distance events, and these races have been of interest to large crowds. In professional match races a large purse is generally a necessary thing. Each con- testant is supposed to furnish his own pace- makers, and a professional doe not care to work for another's glory without @ sub- a'so embraces the time when pace mak- ; TREATMENT Mr. Kreig, 1222 H st. n.w. Cured of Catarrh of Stomach. or of the express com. t, had suffered from h trou, and a very severe, obstinate, distre le. After treatment with Doctors Met Cowden he has the following to My ston me for two or t 1 ate distressed um fter eating, and 1 the tune gnawing, grinding ‘sensation Stomach’ and bowels would bec tended with gas, and I tion of discomt ss. 1 lost tw pounds in weight; lost strength. I neglec case, and did not’ give iayselt very But my mother, becoming anxious, insist on my taking treatment. Dieting did no good, and I fually gct to vomiting my food, and bad a ver} very serious time. ‘fore, my mother final, in a constant condi- sms 1 at prevatled upon me to go to Doctors McCoy and Cowden for treatment. After a course of treatment with thera I am only too happy to state that the pain las kone, there is no formation of gases i the s: bowels, no more diste I have regained 1 ngth; the spells of vei 1 me dreadfully’ have disappeare as far as I am able to see, Iam as well as I ever was, “The treat most from I find easy to take, beneficial al- art. Tam very glad I the grateful to these physict tall they have done for me. I see no reason Wl ; e pangs of indig or turrh of the stomach while these physicians are treating people at the very low rate they are charging.” stantial compensation. In the desire to get swift men to set the pace on the muilticycles the contestants are required oftentimes to pay a large sum, and this they do without a murmur, as good pacing is an essential requisite for victory. In the amateur cy- cling world the condition of affairs 1s mewhat reversed. The amateur is sup- posed to ride for honor and glory alone, and many do. There are many others who will be willing to furnish pace in a match race simply for the honor and giory they will get out of st in case their man wins. The match race between Moran and Lé Compte was arranged to fi as it were. Some time ago Robert I of Baltimore issued a broad Henge to Tace any amateur a m ent from on: quarter to twenty-five mi He receive number of an- swers to the Carter, a well- known bicy aitimore, who personally 2 n Moran, on Jan- vary 29 mailed the following letter: “Would you be satisfied to ride a match race with Bob French, or any other rider in Baltimore, any distance trom a quarter up to twenty-five miles, paced or unpaced | or pursuit race, for a suitable prize that would reach the limit that is offered to j class A riders by the L. A. W.? My object | in writing you this letter, Moran, is to see whether it meets with your approval, as a few of us are making an effort to resurrect bicycle racing in Maryland again. We think that match racing can be made to ! craw larger crowds than the other style as | heretofore. If you are riding as you have | been I feel confident that you can beat any rider here.”” A reply was immediately sent to the above letter by Moran announcing his will- ingness to meet French or any other rider for any distance from one mile to twenty five miles. A match race for any distance less than a mile the writer did not think particularly interesting,expressing a prefer- ence for a twenty-five-mile race with pace makers. The reply to the communication had been presented to Fren the shape of a telegram, which read: “French wants a twenty-four-hour race on track. Shall I take him; answer. M. F. arter.”" The answer wired back was yes, and this vas presented without loss of time to the Baltimore rider. This was something which French had evidently not heen looking for, thinking that an endur- ance race would prove too much for the Washingtonian. The next correspondence on the subject intimates that French had lost his nerve, and would throw up the sponge, refusing to back up his chailer The matter was calculated upon being settled by French accepting the challenge of Henry Smith, another Baltimore rider, who last year established a new twent four-hour record for Maryland. This was the only method in which he could grac fully retire without any insinuations being made against his desire to race. The letter, which bore the date of Feb- ruary 4, further stated that if French evaded ‘the challenge an offer would be published to ride against any Baltimore rider for any distance’ up to fifty miles. No match was to be arranged unless a month or two would elapse so as to enable both contestants to get into the pink of con- ation for the test that was before them. The writer expressed his confidence that Moran could in twenty-five miles give French more riding than he would really care for. In Baltimore fer pacing work | Moran was assured that he could get at t five tandems and a quad and ten good pacemakers, besides what riders could be taken over from this city to officiate at the contest. The Baltimore papers boomed the matter in good style, and gave scare headlines to the proposed match, publish- ing a picture and sketch of Moran, and the good work that he had done on the track last season. As was expected, French evaded the ac- ceptance of the challenge to him, and the open challenge to other Baltimore riders was immediately accepted by W. G. Le- |; Compte. The distance and date has been arranged, and everything is now waiting for the day of the race to determine which is the best man. after it h came in Both of ‘he Baltimore riders are known to the bicycle portioa of this cily, as both have figured in race meets at the Interna- tional Athletic Park for the past two years. They first made their bow to the local public three years ego, when the series of inter- city races was inaugurated, in which the Washington riders won by a goed score. Last year both French and Le Compte were over to ride in several meets, and they also participated in the only inter-city race meet held last season, when the Wash- irgton riders beat them’ bad}y, and fin- ished in one, two, three order, Moran being on the winning team. Millard F. Carter, who is arranging for Mcran at the other end of the line, is a well-known racing man, now retired, but who made a good showing while on the track. In the Baltimore papers Carter is quoted as saying that the pace in a race between Moran and French would be so swift that the latter at the end of the distance would believe he had ridden twen- ty-four hours. As the race is over three months dis- tant Moran has not as yet taken time to make any arrangements for the same. He will gecure the services of a number of local amateur riders to help as pace- makers. He will also carry over one or two triplets, thus having plenty of ma- chines for his helpers in case anything should happen. This is of course count- ing on the pacing machines that will be secured for his use in Baltimore. L. A. W. GOSSIP. The election of Isaac B. Potter to the presidency of the League of American ‘Wheelmen, at the annual meeting of the national assembly, in St. Louis, and the selection of Indianapolis as the place for the next meet, verified the predictign made in The Star last wek. The opposition to | oR THAT CURES Mr. Kreig’s Neglected Catarrh Resulted in Serious Stomach Trouble--How Catarrh Causes Indi- gestion--The Free Trial and Low Fees. CATARRH CAUSES INDIGESTIO! Irritation of the throat frequently extends down into the stomach and produces catarrh of this ore but more frequently the pangs of dyspepsia bt about by the swallowing ef the muon that ts fe and during steep. This d the food and covers the glands which secret med in the throat and swallowed while collects aucus penings the gastric fo doing digestion is delayed the ; decomposes, forming gas which distends the Stomach, causing pain, distress and inte with the action of the heart, producing fluttering and irregularity. Many cases of gastritis owe thelr leginning to a neglected catarrh of nose and throat. A FREE TRIAL. NO HIGH FEES. DOCTORS McCO¥Y AND COWDEN EXTEND TO ALL, AS THEY ALWAYS HAVE, A CORDIAL AND KINDLY INVITATION TO VISIT TH aS, AND ON THEIR FIRST VISIT TO EIVE A TRIAL TREATMENT A WITHOUT COST, WITHOL AY out PRCTATION rr WHO CATARRUAL — OF A SPEEDY CU WHO HAV ERIOUS DIS AND LON Wilt, PASES, NTINI CHAK | CIAL BE TION THEY REQUIL Reading Matter Free to Alll, PERMANENT O71! “ICES: Or. J. Cresap McCoy, Dr. J. M. Cowden, Consulting Physicians, 715 13th Street Northwest. Office hours—9 a.m. te ;2toS pm; 7 to 8 p.m. daily; Sundays and jidays, 10 a.m. to 2 instead of Sterling Elliott of was something of a sur- prise. While Elliott had announced his candidacy for the position, Gideon had made the announcement that he would not run. The strongest rebuke that could be given him for his action was in the fact that his own state refused to indorse him j for the position, casting its vote for Pot- ident, and Thomas J. Keenan, vice consul of Pennsylvania, as first vice president. The action of Gideon tn running for the office after his refusal to be a candidate y in the race is probably due to the in- > of Elliott. So long as the latter thought that there was a chance for him he would run, but finding this useless he threw over his strength to Gideon, end boomed him for the position, knowing that the ex-chairman of the racing board would be able to ¢ 1 a good many western votes. However, Elliott was outmaneuy- ered at every point, and as a strategist ho found his equal in Potter, who on some parts of league politics can give the M: sachusetts man cards and spades and beat him. opponent, Massachusetts, The professional question, like Banquo’ | Shost, can never be downed, and was brought up on the first day's session of the assembly. It bids fair to become even more serious than the color line question, which caused so much internal dissatis- faction in the ranks of the organization some years ago, but which was eventually settled. The professional question came up at the last national assembly, and was knocked out. Notwithstanding this blow, | the same matter was brought up this year, and for a second time it was defeated. The backers of the issue are not content to let the matter rest, and it is safe to shy that it will be agitated before the next as- sembly. By next year the question may become so important as to demand some action. | The professional riders, as a class, are out in the cold. Though under the rules of the League of American Wheelmen, they have no right to join, no right to vote or no right to do anything but do just as they are now doing. The membership of the league lis made up entirely of amateurs, and the constitution expressly stipulates this to be an essential qualification for membership. The action of the league seems to be arbi- trary in keeping this class of wheelmen, some of whom, not by their own choice, have been designated as professional riders for some misdemeanor or slight infraction of the rules. The sentiment regarding the | matter is well defined. The cast, especially the New England states, are opposed to ad- mitting the professional riders to member- ship, but it seems as though .1e west is in favor of the idea. It so happens that the great majority of the membership of the organization is in the east, and as the basis of representation is ‘according to numerical numbers, the professional riders are still barred out, for another year at the least. The recognition of a junior order of wheelmen throughout the country is ex- pected to be a means of increasing the main body. At the assembly an amend- ment to the constitution was adopted per- mitting the board of officers of any divis- ion to establish a junior membership of the league, to be subject to the control and management of the board of the division, The age limitation is placed from twelve to eighteen years, and every applicant must be a member of the family of a league member or a ward of the same. This matter is calculated to excite an interest ir, the breast of the American rider nd train them fully to the advantages of- fered by the national organization. The junior membership will be really an aux- itlary to the body, with the exception that it has no general officers of its own. Albert Mott, or rather Mr. and Mrs. Al- bert Mctt, jointly, the chairman of the Ne- tional League of American Wheelmen rac- ing board, have troubles that are caleu- jated to frighten away « nts for the of- fice. Mr. M haunted, he has asserted, by the thought that in exercising the powers of his office he may have done injustice to some innocent person. “This gives me a feeling cf uneasiness far from pleasant,” he is quoted as saying. ‘some of the questions upon which jant pair are called to settle must productive of insomnia. One case Mrs. Mott sometimes tells of as follow It was a ‘left-over’ from George D. Gideon's administration. A race took place in Connecticut in 1 It was for boys of sixteen years or younger. A gentleman had two sons in this race, there being five com- petitors in all. One of his sons finished first and the other third. The one finishing first got the prize, a pair of one-dollar bi- cycle trousers. It was later discovered that the winner was sixteen years and two months old, the family Bible record prov- ing this. The boy finishing second claimed ihe prize, and the member of the racing board in whose jurisdiction the race was ridden ordered the prize to be turned over to this boy. It was later discovered that No. 2 was a few weeks older than sixteen years, and No. 1 did not turn the prize over to him. “The father of boys No. 1 and No. 8 wanted the suspension removed from No. 1, which suspension was to continue in force until he turned over the prize. The father claimed thet his son, No. 3 in the race, was entitled to the prize. The father was advised that the turning over of the trousers (valued at $1) to his other son, No. 3, would lift the suspension from No. 1. This was all satisfactory, but when the father awent to look for the trousers he dis- covered that his wife had given them to a needy child, who was not personally known to her, and the prize cannot be traced. “The League of American Wheelmen rule relating to prizes in such cases is im} five, Unless the beneficiary of benevolence ard the ‘bike pants’ are found, what's to be done?”