The Washington times., 1895-03-10


ice begins TO break up, comes the danger of
the lighthouses being damaged, if not
carried away, as was the case with the
Analostan boathouse several years ago,
when everything except the foundation
siIls was carried away.
The overflowmg of the houses always
happens, and is an annoyance which is
annually looked forward TO with no little
displeasure.
During the coming fortnight the racing
shells viii be taken down from their racks
and lofts and work on them for the season
begun. Oars and outrggers win come
down from their resting places in the upper
floors, and having been adjusted, they VIII
be ready foruse by the anxious oarsnen-
The past two or three years have been
the regular periodical 'off years" with
the local clubs, and il seems 10 be an un-
written law that there must come these
periods OF lack of activity and failure, and
no one has ever been able to account for
them
The coming season promises better sue
cess and more profitable results for the
outlay OF money ana muscle and energy.
The rowing men OF last year, the most OF
whom VIII again occupy their usual seats
in the boats. viii have last years costly
experience TO profit by With the broad
ening of certain definitions OF classes of
oarsmen and the liberal new rule governing
coxswains. the clubs hampered by last
years definitions, VIII have wider field
TO work on and larger number OF can
didates TO draw from.
MATCH RACES NOT PROHIBITED.
The fact that match races are no longer
prohibited by the y A. A. o. rules, in so
far as affecting q mans class standing is
concerned. viii have The effect or bringing
about more local inter club contests,
and thus. by actual competition, taking off
what might be called stage fright, VIII
serve TO better fit the crews who are sent
away TO row ia open events. That many a
race has been lost through nervousness
and loss OF head" every one who has ever
roWed 10 any extent must knew.
The annual fixtures on the Passaic on
May 80 and at Philadelphia on July are
always locked forward TO with 10 small
degnee of pleasure and eagerness by theloc
oarsmcn. The prospect 0f Being sent 10
either OF both naturally brings increased
interest TO a mani his work. and Il iSloped
that the Columbias and Analostaus VIII
see their way clear 10 send crews 10 these
openeeyents his wear and thus give their
rowing men some return for their hard sea
son OF training.
Last year the PotomaCs gave their junior
eight-Oarcd Cnw trips 10 Philadelphia
and to Newark. and while they did not win
at either place. tie men nO doubt prOfited
by their experience and il sent again this
year VIII make q better showing.
While their coXswain did good work last
= 3D. 10 na.a al-faff
experience, ana possibly did not do as well
as senior coXswain would have done, ana
which latter = junior crew may nave this
year. IL stands TO reason that a senior has
the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS kDowsDetter
when to save his men. and better still,
when to call on them for more beef, and
when to let them out. In many ways this
Is better. mainly because there is less chance
OF being ioCkeyed and fouled The saving
60 the boats viii also be an item.
The local clubs are well equipped with rae
ing craft and, with the possible addition
OF al least two more shells during the sea
son the Potomac River Clubs VIII compare
favorabty withmany others in properequip-
ment.
The clubs are on very friendly terms. and
each promises TO do what il can 10 make
the season q success. for which the pros
poets now seem bright.
TO STOP UP RIVER GAMBLING.
An effort was made by the writer during
each OF the recent seasons to secure some
means by which the gambling places on the
Virginia shore above the free bridge might
be done away with, but the assistance re-
ceived was not sufficiently strong nor as
well planned as the object 10 bc gained re-
quired This season ! shall again take up
the matter. and with the concerted Efforts
of all the clubs and long pull and pull
1s,l for
These places have done more than al else,
possibly, TO injure pleasure rowing up
river and in order that this class OF rowing
NAV be again brought into favor the main
cause OF its present unpopularIty must and
shall be removed, or we have mistaken
impression OF the Old Dominionis idea OF
carrying out her laws.
BASKET BALL LEAGUE.
The fact that the Carroll Institute team
withdrew from the Basket ball League after
failing to secure the position or rank it had
hoped for 10y no means affected the interest
of the remaining teams or diminished the
interest OF the public in the game. Many
disiuterested persons express the opinion
that, while at times the game was rough,
II was 10y no means tie 1ule. and that all
teams knew the character OF the game after
the first series OF contests had been played,
and if il were not 10 any one team liking
IL could then have Withdrawn.
There is difference OF opinion as to the
extent ofroughness and danger in the game,
and the general impression is that, while il
has some disagueeabe features that it would
be better 10 leave out, il is at the same time
true that If all the teams We're better pre-
pared TO play the game 10y harder exercise
and training the game as played would
have 10 teTrOrs for them.
Before another season IL is hoped that the
rules NAV be changed to meet the require
ments OF all players. In view of the hue
and cry raised by some players and few
spectators. il is suggested that next season
we organize league to play indoor mar
hes. and so that none OF the players may
be in danger the games Eil be played on
padded floor
COLUMBIA ATHLETIC CLUB.
The new amusement committee Of the c..
A. c. has beer appointed, and as it contains
several Of the former members OF the com
mittee and several good new ones the same
success may ne expected of the future C..
A. c. entertainments The committee
consists Of Messrs. Alexander P. Shaw
chairman: Dr. w. r. King, Hub T. Smith,
Charles Howard G. #. McEnany, Thomas
Francis. jr Thomas Wilkinson, and sam
Ireland.
The last ladies' day VIII be held on the
lzth instant and the smoker on Satur-
day, 23d instant.
The interest in the coming indoor open
events increases as the 29th instant draws
near. In most of the events there viii be
strong competition, in and out OF the
club. Entries close on the Goth instant.
~ FVafa. Of 10 pln