Evening star., 1896-02-20
Proposed Union ofCollege Races and
N. A. A. O. Regatta
ADVANTAGES OF SARATOGA LAKE
Gathering of Whist Players al
Philadelphia.
ORIOLES HOCKEY PLAYING

The Philadelphia Press has aroused the
attention Of all beating men by heavily
loaded and conspicuously displayed argu-
ment IN favor of the four-crew college race
th1s year being rowed over the New Lon
oon course In heats. 1t was also urged
that the freshman races be rowed at New
London, and that tine four races would con-
stltute an aquatic display never equaled In
tf1s country, and rivaling the royal re-
gatta at Henley. England
The proposition has fallen fiat Rowing
men, without exception oppose the sugges-
ton, which is claimed to be inspired by
ale influence, presumably Bob Cook, an
influential stockholder in the Philadelphia
Press.
"A college man, who has followed boating
alters for years, says:
Two courses are being considered for the
Dig college race. Saratoga Lake and the
hudson at Poughkeepse. The objection to
the former is that. like all the central New
York lakes, it is likely to become too
rough for rowing, and that the accom-
lnodations Tor. viewing the race are poor.
The objection to the Poughkeepse course
IS the annoyance by river traffic and the
excursion steamers. Last year PeEnsyl-
Vanias crew was swamped, and CornelPs
boat sunk just after crossing the line
But IT is claimed that either course may
be made comparatively unobjectionable by
proper regulations. College regattas were
roWed Oh Saratoga Lake up to 1877 for
years without serious interruption caused
by SQUALLS Thirteen crews drew up in
line. FRESHMAN, Varsity and single scull
races We're rOwed. Those persons who talk
about the coming meeting of four colleges
appear TO have no recollection of those
days. That was the nearest approach to
an american Henley we have ever had.
ne National Association of Amateur
Oarsmen has decided to hold it's regatta on
Saratoga Lake, which is an indication that t
e me course was satisfactory last year. In
lact. iast years regatta was the most sue
cesSiul IN the history of the association
The national association, for some rea-
son or other, has not in late years encour-
aSed the entry of college crews. All the
advantages OF entries by college crews and
none or the disadvantages would be gained
py noidlng the regatta of the national asso-
citation and the intercollegiate races at
saratoga on succeeding days. The national
association should put forward the date of
ITS regatta from August to the latter part
OF June. not later than July /. Then the
Two events could be united and the finest
aquatic display ever seen in this coun-
try would be made"
Chairman Thomas Reath Of the Penn
sylVania rowing committee and Guy Rich
ards Of Columbia inspected the course at
Sara toga lake on Sunday
1t is four miles straishtawav said Mr.
Reath, and there is no current whatever.
II IS the only course l have seen where
tour crews could row without the possi-
piilty OF an advantage to any one of them.
An accident, such as the SWamping
OF the Pennsylvania boat at PoughkeeDsi
last year from the swell of Governor Mor-
tons tug. could not happen at Saratoga.
iCr the reason that there are no large
boats there to obStruct the course
Saratogas only disadvantage is from
Spectators standpoint. The railroad
runs along the lake only for a short dis
tance. and 1t would be impossible to have
an observation train, as at Poughkeepsic.
mere IS bluff about 100 feet high along
the finish. and from this height an ex-
cellent view of the last mile of the race
can be had.
1T looks to me- said Mr. Reath. "as
IL we would nave to choose between a
course suitable in every way for a fair
race and one that possesses advantages
for the spectators and at the same time
may prove disastrous TO one or more of
the crews entered"