The Cycle Age and Trade Review, Vol 24, No 123
Articles in this issue
- Six manufacturers of divided handlebar designs met in Cleveland to discuss a consolidation aimed at ending the fierce price competition that had reduced profit margins to a minimum, with the Whiteley Manufacturing Co. of Springfield, Ohio acting as the driving force behind the initiative.
- Washington, D.C. bicycle dealers reported strong improvement in trade conditions compared to the same period the previous year, with warm weather drawing out riders and coaster brakes becoming a key selling feature, with three out of ten bicycles leaving one major dealer equipped with the device.
- The partnership of Crosby and Dana acquired the entire capital stock of the Snow Cycle Chain Co. and planned to consolidate it with their Springfield, Massachusetts drop forging operation, continuing a strategy of building up an independent parts-manufacturing business.
- Reports circulated in Buffalo that the American Bicycle Company had ordered the closure of the Buffalo Cycle Mfg. Co. plant effective April 1, with dismantling already begun and about four hundred workers thrown out of employment, to the consternation of the local community.
- A Cycle Age correspondent in Manila reported that bicycle stores were springing up quickly as the season opened, with American soldiers having brought diverse makes of bicycles to the islands, while native Filipinos were trading in quantities of old French and English machines for repair or replacement.
- A London correspondent reported that the American Bicycle Company's conduct in Britain was alienating its established dealer network through threatened lawsuits against former employees and a failed reorganization of its London distribution division, which had proved deeply unprofitable and was fast destroying goodwill among English trade.
- Minneapolis dealers observed a promotional "bicycle day" that was undercut by heavy Sunday snowfall ruining the scheduled general opening event, though the preceding week had produced strong early-season sales and dealers remained optimistic about the full season's prospects despite the weather setback.
- Waltham Manufacturing Co. secured the exclusive American agency for the Aster motor made in St. Denis, France, enabling the company to offer buyers of its Orient motor cycles a choice between DeDion and Aster engines, in what was described as the most important piece of automobile trade news of the week.
- Oshkosh, Wisconsin bicycle dealers described how their grand mid-March opening showcased over 150 machines to large crowds accompanied by a brass band, explaining their continued decision to stock some trust-affiliated bicycles alongside independent lines on the grounds of genuine product quality and customer demand.