Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-05-21
American Oarsmen Who Favor Adopt
ing 1t.
ADVANTAGES OF SUCH A CHANGE
Proposed Abolition Of Turning Races
at the National Regatta.
UNIFORMITY IN RECORDS

ISOLATION Of Amateur Oarsrnen will shortly
be held, and it is expected that at the
meeting an effort will be made to change
the rules regarding the course, making the
distance a mile and a half straightaway,
instead Of the same distance with a turn.
The representative of the local clubs on
the board of the national association Is
Mr.. Claude Zappone, who was elected last
year, and whose term of Office will last for
three years. 1t is hardly likely that he will
be instructed in any way by the local Or
ganisations in the matter, and the question
will be left to his own option. The sug-
gestion recently made by The Star that If
the length of the course was changed 1t
would be a good thing to make the distance
one and five-sixteenths miles, the length of
the course at Henley, England, has met
with the hearty approval of recognized
leaders in aQuatlcS.
F.. s. Harris, secretary of the Toronto
Rowing Club of Toronto, Ont, one of the
prominent members of the N. A. A. O., has
written, as follows, to The Star:
Il am strongly in favor of the proposal
contained in your article under date of
April 13, viz, the adoption of the Henley
distance for American and Canadian oars
men. The writer not only favors the adop-
tion of the Henley distance, but would also
like to see the rules governing regattas in
with those governing the Henley regatta, as
through these two mediums we would be
enabled to make more accurate COMPARE
sons Of oarsmen, and from comparisons
would naturally spring rivalry. and rivalry
in turn would create wider interest
These factors all combined would no doubt
promote more international contests. and
thus the healthful, ancient and splendid
sport, of rowing can scarcely fail to be re-
vived and stimulated.
James H. Horne, secretary of the Bow
dom College Boating Association. writes:
"Bowdoin has during the past few years
dropped all interest in boating and has at
present no experienced oarsmen in college.
Therefore my opinion in regard to the pro-
posed change would be of no value. 1t
seems to me, though. that in order for
Americans to enter the event on equal
footing with English oarsmen We ought to
adopt the Henley distance"
William Hoover, captain of the Fair
mount Rowing Association of Philadelphia,
writes:
'In regard to the Henley distance think
myself it would be better than our one and
one-half miles, especially on our river where
we have such long turn. With the Hen
ley distance we would be able to row
straightaway. 1 also think we would have
better and closer races at one and ffve-six-
teenths miles than at our present distance
and 1 only hope that your proposition will
be put to test
Oscar Schmidt for several years secre-
tary of the National Associa ton, and
prominent member OF the executive com
mittee, writes as follows to The Star:
THAT the Henley regatta is the greatest
of all aquatic events there is no doubt. and
if our crws desire to compete with our
English cousins they must prepare them
selves under all the conditions which OBJ
tain at Henley. Even If our crews do not
go to compete, the adoption of the Henley
distance would make comparison OF time
made over the distance on either side of
the Atlantic of great interest to crews and
admirers of the sport on both sides of the
big pond.
1.-THE adoption of such a course distance
as suggested in your editorial would I'M
doubtedly be another step toward increas-
ing the friendly feelings of the two coun-
tries in all lines of sport, and this should
at all times be fostered.
For the comparisons of recoI as the adop-
ton of the distance on this side would be of
vast interest. provided all races here are
rowed on river courses. l wish to be put
Oh record as having on one occasion several
months ago suggested that If turning
races are done away with, our local re-
gatta races be rowed over course one
mile straightaway. This might be applied
to national events as well. There could
not under such a condition be a waiting
race. but it would be a continuous squirt
splendid test of skill and strength and snap
and for nearly the full distance in plain
view of spectators. If the Henley distance
is not adopted, it is the hope of many that
local races be rowed over a mile straight
away course"
Edward H. Anderson. captain of the
Dauntless Rowing Club of New York,
writes:
Il earnestly trust our national associa-
ton Will make our distance conform to the
English or Henley, as, think universal
standard of distance would be beneficial to
all and would stimulate our oarsmen to
bury their time. The only reason we row
one-miie races here Is that our course will
not permit of a longer distance AS it is
we have to row under a bridge Keen
hammertns against turning races, as thew
are a farce, and all our practical oarsmen
here are opposed to them. Why don't you
SEND on a Washington crew on Nav 81 as
the New York people have not seen one of
your crews in years?'
r. F. Foley. captain of the Cumberland
Rowing Association of Portland Nh
writes: A''
Your editorial before me. After readir,
1t l am of the same opinion as expressed
IN your editorial. As there is as Won sav
a desire on the part Of American oarsmen
to win at Henley, We should be familiar
with the distance and all other rules that
govern the Henley regatta, and the sooner
the Natlonai Association adopts the Hem
icy course the better chance the American
oarsman has of winning abroad
Robert H. Pelton, treasurer of tho No
writes: 'iei'
oeiieVe the suggestion a good one, but
until the national association adopted a
permanent course can't see how IT can he
done satisfactorily" o- NC
Mr.. Frank Moore. who for several years
mas served as captain, of the AnaIostan
Boat Club, Is in favor of the adontjon ae
straightaway course for local races. He
nolds that much faster time can be made
IN such events than in one in which a turn
lost by the failure to skiilfuIly turn a boat
the TASK being much harder than would be
imagined by persons not familiar with
rowing. In race where turn has to be
Doat Is much better than an old one. as
lts sides are sitter, enabling 1t to with
stand the pressure of the water better. Mr.
Moore Is IN FAVOR of the English distance
for local regattas. because 1t is impossibIe
TO secure mile and a half straightaway.
Eliot Smith. commodore of the Midland
Boat Club. Kansas City, wrote briefly and
emphatically: 'N
Adopt Henley distance by all means"
A Little AlligatOF's ROamimrs.