Kungler Scores Narrow Victory in Cycle Race

Cyclists line up at the starting line just before the race.
(BAZ Staff Photo)

Barricades and police trucks reminiscent of the 1 May riots blocked the streets of Berlin yesterday, but the only rowdiness was the cheering of spectators as a crowded field of cyclists competed for fame, prize medals and cash. It was a perfect day for the race, cool with clear skies and little wind, and the prospect of

excitement drew a good crowd of both riders and observers.

Claytanic Kungler streaks across the finish barely a length
ahead of Cuthbert Hellendale.
(BAZ Staff Photo)

Starting at a few minutes past 13:00 SLT on the Parisienplatz, the course wound its way along the outer edges of the city, treating the residents of Behrenstrasse, Alexanderplatz, Am Nussbraum and the Jewish Quarter to the sight of a pack of bicyclists speeding pell-mell down the street and giving a few unwary pedestrians a good fright. Three circuits of the course were required to claim victory, with the competitors cheered onward each time they sped past the grandstand. Some seven minutes after the starting gun had sounded, the three leaders came charging down the Rykestrasse toward the finish. First to cross the line three times was Berlin resident and prizefighter Claytanic Kungler, edging out Father Cuthbert Hellendale by barely the length of his vehicle. Taena Matova captured the bronze finish by crossing the line not two lengths behind the priest. Several other competitors, including young Doktor Sturges of automobile racing fame, finished not far behind the leaders.

Immediately following the race, the winners were presented with medals befitting their achievement by Fr. Jo Yardley, personal Secretary to City Manager Oskar Eddenbaum, and received the vocal applause of the onlookers. In addition to their medals and the adulation of the public, cash prizes of 500RL, 300RL and 150RL were presented to the top three racers.

Claytanic Kungler, Cuthbert Hellendale and Taena Matova
receive their race medals and the approval of the crowd.
(BAZ Staff Photo)

Following the race the crowd retired en-mass for dancing and drinks at the popular Der Keller Tantzlocale, where the race was generally proclaimed a great success and various schemes were hatched for additional such events. The BAZ congratulates the organizers and all those who came out and competed in the event.

Cyclists to Race for Cash Prizes

Spring has finally arrived, and to celebrate the greening of Berlin there will be a bicycle race through the streets of the city on Saturday, May28, 1929. A purse of 950 Reichslindens will be divided among the first three riders to cross the finish line. No registration is required, and competitors are asked to simply show up ready to race in front of the Hotel Adlon by 1:00pm SLT. The race is open to both men and women.

In order to assure a safe and fair competition, all riders will be required to use the 1885 Safety Bicycle only. This vehicle can be worn so no rezzing is required, meaning that the competition is open to residents and non-residents alike. The model 1885 Safety Bicycle can be purchased from the vendor located immediately outside the Bahnhoff Alexanderplatz. Arrangements have been made for the public to view the race from a grandstand to be erected in front of the Brandenberg Tor.

Business Group Calls Organizational Meeting

A group of local business owners and shopkeepers are organizing to form The Greater Berlin Chamber of Commerce. The purpose of the new organization will be to promote and encourage the establishment and growth of businesses in the City of Berlin and its environs. "Working together," says multiple-business owner Morganic Clarrington, " through positive actions, we can generate more income for all of the shops in Berlin." The group plans to participate in civic activities, sponsor events, promote the local business climate through advertising and outreach campaigns, form alliances with businesses in other cities and work to encourage tourism.
 
"This is not a political group," Clarrington added. "Rather it will be an opportunity for the hard-working men and women of Berlin to come together for their mutual benefit. Please come and get involved."

An organizational meeting will be held on Sunday, May 22nd, at 3 pm SLT at the Municipal Courthouse on Unter Den Linden. Snacks will be served.

City to Sponsor Spring Photography Competition

The Office of Herr Oskar Eddenbaum announced today that the City will sponsor a Frühling in Berlin photography competition, and invited all interested persons to submit their work. A first place prize of 500 Reichslindens will be awarded to the entry judged to best represent the spring season in our city.

Competition entrants should observe the following rules:
  
1. All photographs submitted must have been made within the 1920s Berlin Project sim.
2. Entries must be uploaded to the 1920s Berlin Project Flickr group to be considered.
     (http://www.flickr.com/groups/20sberlin)
3. Each submission must contain the phrase "Spring Contest" in the description box.
4. For the purpose of encouraging tourism, the City requests that entrants also ad the correct Slurl to the
    description of each entry. (http://slurl.com/secondlife/1920s%20Berlin/236/232/751)

A winner will be chosen from among all entries properly submitted by midnight (SLT) on 4 June, 1929. The winner will be selected on 5 June during the daily Happy Hour event at the infamous Der Keller dance hall. Questions regarding the competition should be directed to Fr. Jo Yardley at Herr Eddenbaum's office.

Reparations Conference Progresses on New American Proposal, France Still Uncommitted

The problem of how much Germany shall pay in war reparations seemed in a fair way to be solved last week by a new American proposal intended to break the Dawes Committee deadlock between France and Germany.
  
Two weeks ago all negotiations were abruptly broken off and the committee prepared to disband after a demand upon Germany for 28 billion dollars over 58 years was met by the Chief German negotiator, Dr. Hjalmar Schacht, with an absolute refusal to pay more than 15 billion over 37 years. The Allies were particularly incensed by the fact that Germany made a portion of their offer conditional upon the return of certain territory and colonies which she gave up by ratifying the Treaty of Versailles. Blamed by all the Allied delegates for derailing the committee, Dr. Schacht left Paris in late April for a five-day visit to Berlin.
 
While Dr. Schacht was telling German correspondents that further negotiations would be useless, an entirely new plan was drafted in Paris by Chairman Owen D. Young, chief US negotiator, in consultation with senior US delegate, J. Pierpont Morgan. When Dr. Schacht returned to Paris, he was met at the French frontier by three subordinates of the German delegation, bearing copies of the Young Plan. Three hours later Dr. Schacht reached Paris, and for two hours was closeted with Mr. Young. Quickly a special meeting of the Second Dawes Committee was called by Chairman Young, who then said: "The American delegates have prepared certain figures for annuities which we have shown to Dr. Schacht and he has informed us that he will be prepared to accept those figures if the creditor Powers will accept them." After these words he gave a brief exposition of the proposed plan, and almost at once Japan's Kenjo Mori rose to voice warm approval. Within a few moments it was evident that Britain's Sir Josiah Stamp would also back the Young Plan. Only the French and their Continental Allies seemed hesitant.

The key points of the Young Plan were summarized as:
 
1) Germany to pay 18 billion dollars over 37 years.
2) The annual payments to average $487,600,000, and of this $165,900,000 to be paid unconditionally, with payment of the rest conditioned on German capacity to pay without impairing the value of the mark—a protection which the Fatherland already enjoys under the so-called "transfer clause" of the Dawes Plan.
3) Bonds to be issued against the unconditional portion of Germany's pledge to pay, and sold to the world public, the proceeds to go at once into the treasuries of the creditor Powers.
4) The bond transaction to be carried on through an international bank of settlement.
5) Profits from the operation of the bank are expected to be so huge, according to the Mr. Young and Dr. Schacht, that after the 37th year accrued and accruing profits and interest will pay off in 21 more years the full total of the German debt.

Two additional conditions were attached by Dr. Schacht to his acceptance of this plan:
 
1) That all profits from the international bank must go toward extinguishing the German debt.
2) That if the sum expected to be derived from profits and interest thereon does not materialize it shall be deducted from what Germany owes.
 
Whether or not the Young Plan would be approved seemed to depend, almost entirely on the attitude of France and more especially on that of her chief delegate, M. Emile Moreau, governor of the Bank of France. Vexation was general when it appeared that M. Moreau was "out of town" getting re-elected as mayor of a tiny provincial village whose chief magistrate has always been a Moreau. Until this "family matter" could be attended to the Second Dawes Committee and the world were obliged to wait.