The times., 1897-06-27

The citizens of Philadelphia believe In
celebrating the Fourth Of July out CT
doors, and SO that they may be amused and
entertained the city fathers provide all
sorts Of sports and contests, on land and
on water, and for that matter In the air,
for the days sport is closed as soon as the
veil of night is drawn, with grand dis
play of fireworks.
1t is one of the most attractive OF all
day continuous performances known on or
off the boards in this country. And what "a
patriotic performance it is, too.
The program opens with a grand big
regatta, beginning at 9 O'Clock in the
morning and the races in the dainty shells
continue all day. On the land big open
meet of field and track events is held.
Thereare military parades and sham battles
and what not. As a natural consequence
the Philadelphians all spend the day In
their own city and parks and do not spend
their money IN other cities seeking amuse-
ment and recreation. Tocover the expense
OF all this the city council annually ap-
propriates large sums of money.
The great feature Of the day lis the
regatta on the Schuylkill, open TO all
amateur oarsmen, and is known as the
Peoples regatta.
The eourseis the famous national one and
a half miles, straightaway, and over this
all sweep races will be rowed. Thesculling
races will be q mile and a half with one
turn The rules of the National A ssociation
will govern.
The events are as follows:
Junior single sculls, intermediate single
sculls, intermediate double SOULS, senior
double sculls junior four cared gigs,
senior four-oared shells, Junior eight-oared
shells. and senior eight-oared shells. Hand
some prizes will be presented to each mem
ber of winning crew, and silver loving
cup to the clubs they represent. Special
prizes to be rowed for annually on the
Schuylkill River, will be awarded to the
following events: The Sharpless Cup, for
senior eight-oared shells, and the Down
ing Cup, for senior four-oared shells
The event brings together nearly all the
best crews in the East, and it is with only
one or two exceptions the largest and
best managed regatta OF the year. Gordon
s. Carrigan, as well known here as there
as a prominent figure In amateur rowing
circles, is chairman OF the committee, and
A. D. Whitney is secretary, and to the lat
ter all entries must be sent, and these close,
as stated several weeks ago, on tomor-
row morning, at No. 619 Chestnut street.
As our local crews are arranging to enter
the National Regatta In August in the same
city, 1t is not likely that we will be rep
resented there this Independence Day.
Quite number OF lovers of rowing are
going on, however, to-look on and see how
well regatta is managed there.
Among the attractions in the track and
field meet Will be the strong relay team
from the N. Y. A. c., consisting of Colfelt,
the new 22G-yards college champion, by
the grace of an accident to Wefers at Mott
Haven, and n. Lyons, Hoffman and Cregan.
Lyons is star sprinter of rare Judgment
and skill. lie is brother of the coming
runner at Georgetown VARSITY.
The annual American swimming cham
pionships VIII this year be held at Chicago
on July 3. and the prospects are that the
affair viii have the largest entry list it has
mad In years. Among the many star
swimmers who win be seen there is Nor
mandy Murray, the N. Y A. G. crack
sheridan, or the Pastime Athletic Club,
LIS The coming man in the discus event He
is credited with scale Of 1O7 feet
inches at the Y. NJ C. A games, He
is still shy five inches of Adam Johnson,s
throw at the recent c. A. c. games. He
hopes Go beat that distance in the N j. A.C.
games on July 3.
Many or the loca rowing men, especially
OF the q. A. c., express great regre over
the decision reached by the powers that
be that there VIII be no Potomac River
regatta this year and believe that some
offort should be made, even at this date,
TO hold the annual fixture, however linn
Tied In number of events, and it is more
than probable that steps win be taken
informally during the coming week to see
II In some way the regatta cannotbe made
q possibility.
The failure to hold a regatta this year
means the killing of thelocal interestin the
grand sport of rowing until another year
rolls by. There is no doubt that the amount
necessary TO cover the usual expe nses can
very readily be secured, and with this as