Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-09-15
A REVIEW OF SPORTS
Reason for the Decision in the
Boat Race Dispute.
HAMM BROKE THE RULES.
Opinions About the Searle-0'Connor
Championship Contest.
NIKIRK-MCLELLAND FOOT RACE.
Difficulties Between the Local Baseball Club
and its New Pitchers.
HAMM BROKE THE RULES.
NIKIRK-M'CLELLAND FOOT RACE.
KILLEN'S EASY DEFEAT BY MAULlFFE

Probably one of the most unsatisfactory
sporting events that has taken place in thl;
locality for a very long time is the Teemer.
Gaudaur boat race. The event was one ot
the leading affairs of the week, and directly
concerns myself, inasmuch as l was called
upon to perform duty that was as dis
tasteful as it was thankless. 1t was one OF
the most unfortunate events that have
been interested IN, and doubtless it will
have a very dampening effect on professional
boat rowing in this locality. 1t will
have this effect because many peo-
pie will not for one moment stop to
argue conScientiously ali the features
and outs and ins of the question. OF course /
am well aware that numerous people are of
opinion that on Friday Teemer was beaten by a
better man than himself. Granting this, how
ever, does not at all affect the reasons for the
decision that the race be rowed over. Like
other events of the kinds the race was under a
very rigid and clear code of rules. The Teemer
party claimed that these rules had been vio-
lated. and urged that Gaudaur's arrival first at
the winning end was the result of a violation
of the rules under which the race was being
rowed This claim or objection mar
rowed the matter down, not to
a question of merit, but to a
question of whether or not Teemer had been
interfered with or that Gaudaur had received
an undue advantage in any way. Teemer yes
terday afternoon claimed that Hamm, Gau-
daur's trainer, had interfered with him; in fact,
had broken his boat; and he further claimed
that Hamm was on the course for the purpose
of coaching Gaudaur. In a word, the first OBJ
lection was Oyerruled at once, because, as ref
cree. absolutely failed to see at any time
where HanInn's boat interfered with Teemers.
The second objection, however, was stronger,
and had sufficient force to warrant the decision
made. After the race I asked Hamm
pointedly at Mcheesport what he was doing
on the course. Here's what he said: 81 was there
to protect Gaudaur and keep him from striking
any snags." This admission, which was heard
by everybody in the room, meant that he was
absolutely violating rule and one of the most
prominent Here is the rule. II is rule l6 of
the code under which the race was rowed: No
boat shall be allowed to accompany a competi-
tor for the purpose of directing his course or
affording him other assistance The boat re-
ceiving such direction or assistance shall be
disqualified at the discretion of the umpire"
Hnmm's Admission.
Now l fail to see how any man who can read
or understand English can fail to perceive how
Hamm's admission and the rule can be recon
ciled. II guiding a man clear of snags is not
assisting him or plotting him, fail entirely to
understand the English language. ST. John,
who is undoubtedly one of the most honorable
and clear-headed gentlemen that have known
in boat-rOwing affairs, argued that though
Hamm was on the river for that purpose, he
did not carry out his intention. This in my
way of thinking is not a sufficient
answer Hamm says he was there for that
purpose, and he was uncomfortably near the
rowers, and when he went out to perform the
mission, which he admits he could do it in a
hundred ways not discernIble to the uninitiated
was one of the latter. At any rate, l fail to
see why Hamm had any reason, outside of car
rying out his acknowledged intentions to be
rowing from side to side ahead of the rowers
and within a very short distance of them
Briefly, that is one reason for the decision. An
other is that every steamer ACCOMPANYING the
race. except the referees boat was ahead of
Teemer long before the race was finished. l
submit that was an interference. The disgraceful
conduct of the Mcdowell and the Dauptless
not only interfered with the sternmost man hut
shut out the referee from the race for a consid-
erable distance. Both men have right to pro-
lection as far as the application of the rules are
concerned, and at all hazards the rules were ap-
Piled irrespective of the merits of the men.
Rules are rules with me on all occasions and
Hamm has only himself to blame for the yery
unfortunate termination of the race. On MANY
occasions Mr.. St. John has urged that nobody
should be on the course but the rowers and if
Hamm was not on the water and in close com
pany with the rowerS. in the interests of his
charge, Gaudaur, fail to see why he was there
at all