Salt Lake Telegram | 1904-12-09 | Page 4 | Stop These Barbarous Exhibitions

Step Thsi EtrfcirOM Exhibitions. Thirty-six young athletes started out the first of the week on a foolish test of endurance at Madison Square Garden, New York, to win a paltry priie. Their endeavor was to continue for six days to ride about a saucer-snaped track, the one or two making the greatest number of miles in that time to be given a certain sum of money. The first day developed a number of "spills" or accidents, which the gaping, blood-thirsty crowd en joyed rather than palled at. The second day developed other accidents, after which anumber of the contestants had the good sense to withdraw. STILL THE GAPING CROWDS WERE AMUSED. Such exhibitons are not legitimate sport. Bicycle Bicy-cle riding, properly conducted, is a healthful sport It is inspiring to watch the trained young athletes spin around the, track in contest, within reasonable bounds. BUT THESE SIX-DAY CONTESTS ARE NEITHER INSPIRING NOR LEGITIMATE. They ere born of a sentiment which desires to see these hardy young athletes either dash themselves to death of fall fainting from very fatigue. THEY ARE RELICS OF SAVAGERY AND ; BARBARISM. THEY SHOULD BE SUPPRESSED.