Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-06-25
TIPPED NO FAVORITE
But the Weather Opened Auspiciously
for the Big Regatta.
HARVARD STILL THE CHOICE
Great Crowds Gathering Up for the
Contest This Afternoon.
STATISTICS OF THE CREWS

POUGHKEEPSIE, n. Y, June 25.-Big
varsity day opened, so far as the atmOs-
rheric and sky conditions were concerned
with no indication of a favorite in the big
race. There was no strip Of crimson in the
eastern sunrise to give Harvard men hope
and there was TO sight of blue in the CEN
trail heavens to encourage Yale If white
clouds could he said to cheer up the Cornell
contingent by display of a part of their
combination, then there was some parti-
sanship in natures array during the early
hours of the morning, but she seemed
rather in an uncertain mood, and the sun
light came only dimly through a haze of
light gray clouds.
The wind was dead south, with indica-
tons of showers. If the weather was I'M
certain during the early hours, so was The
crowd about the hotel Some few college
enthusiasts would offer to wager that
their college colors were going on to vic
tory. but that was merely a sacrifice of
money to loyalty, with faint hope that
luck might help out. The great majority
OF the thoughtful ones said it would be
one OF the greatest and sharpest con-e sts
ever fought out upon the water from start
TO finish, with chances for each crew The
favorltes for first place were the Harvard
eight, and the Cornell men were anxious to
oet mat their crew would beat Yale.
Tip From Coxxwain CoIson.
A tip was given by Coxswain Colson that
the Cornell contingent were willing TO bet
that to win the race the record made by
Cornell last year would have to be broken.
Their record was nineteen minutes and
twenty-nine seconds for the four miles.
Colson Is reported saying: This years
cornell varsity crew is faster than last
years. We have been timed and we know
that with any kind of favorable conditions
r ha
crew that is in this race will have to go
the course in better time than we made
1t last year.
Mr.. Lehman at the Harvard quarters
this morning made almost the same kind
OF a statement. saying that he believed
al! three crews were record breakers.
me excursion trains which arrived dur
ing the forenoon brought a goodly number
OF betting men, but still there is little
money up on the result of today's race.
One bookmaker implored the crowd to take
MIN up at Il to 10 that Harvard would not
win. but there was no taker. Most OF the
wagers laid at the time were private ones
Bets were laid at to that Cornell would
De at the tan end. and considerable money
was placed on the proposition that Harvard
would be ahead of Yale. Nothing could
better exemplfy the uncertainty as to the
result.
Before the sun had reached the meridian
the hills of the west bank of the Hudson
showed groups of interior folk settling in
10 positions of vantage, and the docks on
the city side were swarming with crowds
waiting for the ferries to convey them
across. Aside from the regular Highland
station ferry, five six small launches
We're doing duty in this line
Numerous yachts that had been anchored
abreast the city docks began moving to
anchorage positions heretofore assigned at
the finish.
Cornell Men Rose Early.
The Cornell oarsmen were up and stir
ring at their usual hour. $50 O'clock and
ate breakfast at 7 o'clock. Their bill of
fare consisted of oatmeal, beef steak, eggs
and potatoes, with toast and chocolate.
After breakfast. Coach Courtney an
nounced that there would be no rowing for
any Of his men today, except what the
varsity were to do in the race. and he told
them all to stay away from the boat house
this morning. The reason for this order
was that Courtney wanted the varsity men
to keep their minds as free as possible of
the thought of the race. During the fore
noon Capt. Spillrnan took his men, all of
whom were in fine health and spirits. for
walk. which lasted half an hour. and
which was the only exercise that they were
to have before the race.
Assisted by his right-hand man, Tatum
the coach spent the entire morning in put
ting the finishing touches on the shell In
which the men are to row. 1t is the new
paper which Waters Of Troy built for
them this year, and which they have been
using for a month past Courtney attach
new WdSnDOdTOS 10 the DOdt tulS
ing as a safeguard against rough water.
The little foot pump which Freddie Colson,
the coxswain. used to such good advantage
last year, will serve him again in case any
wash gets into the boat.
May Get Slack Water to Row In.
There is a south wind blowing. but not
of sufficient strength to seriously ruffle the
surface. The tide had begun to ebb, and
will not be flood again until shortly after
o'clock. 1t is probable that the race will
be rowed in slack water.
The election of crew captains customarily
takes place soon after the race. This year
Cornell will defer action until next week.
and 1t is even possible that no choice will
be made until next fall. In some more or
less authoritative quarters 1t is said that
Courtney is opposed to having any captains
at all, and that his wishes, If openly ex-
pressed, will be respected.
Pennsylvania will elect w. II. Howells,
who Is pulling No. 4.
Harvard will re-elect Capt. D. NJ. Good
rich. and it is said confidently that Payne
Whitney, who pulls No. 2 on the Yale
varsity eight, will be elected to the cap
taincy.
The following are the statistics and per-
sonal sketches Of the Harvard, Yale and
Cornell varsity crews: