Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-03
REVOLT OF THE oARsMEN.
Discussing Plans of n New Rowing
AssOcfatiOn.

Although little has appeared recently
in print regarding the secession of row.
ing clubs from the National Association of
Amateur Oarsmen the movement is by no
means dead. Negotiations are in progress
among the clubs and the coming spring
will see formidable break in the ranks
OF the long established organization. The
reason for the extent of this movement is
that vital principle is disregarded in
the management of the association. 1t is
matter larger and broader than a dis
pute about what man should be on the
executive committee, although that con-
troversy has precipitated the break The
members argue that il the almost unani-
nous choice Of the Philadelphia clubs is
rejected, nothing can prevent the ignoring
Of the preferences of another section.
There is too much bossism" is the COM
plant. leach section Of the country should
choose its own representative on the execu-
tive committee.
With the organization of another row.
ing association 1t has been suggested that
it's scope be more extended than that of
the National Association. AS Mr.. Leh-
mann. the English oarsman, has said, the
weakness Of America in rowing (granting
that there is a weakness) is to be found
in the fact that the youth of this country
are not given opportunities to meet one an
other on the water early enough. 1t is
almost always the case that when a col
lege student steps into a boat 1t Is his first
experience in shells.
1t has been suggested that in the pro-
posed association race be provided Tor
scholastic crews. Such crews exist in
Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Boston and other
cities. and attempt is to be made In
the spring to form crew in the Washing
ton High Schools. The interest that would
be aroused by national race open to the
high schools would be widespread. The
National Association made repeated eff
forts to draw the college crews into its
regatta, but they failed. The recommen-
dalton has been made that the new or
ganization make another effort and that
the college crews be entered with the row.
ing club crews. In the past the clubs have
objected that they would be outclassed by
such an arrangement, but there is no
doubt that the standard Of the rowing
clubs has been greatly raised within the
past few years. The speed and skill shown
by the Toronto and Winnipeg crews are
ample proof. They made the most credit
able showing at the Henley regatta in
England and the clubs certainly have
nothing to fear from the college crews
now; they have something to learn in the
matter of patience and care in training.
A race in Fights open to crews from
Columbia, Cornell, Pennsylvania and Wis
consin universities and rowing clubs in
New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Wash
ington and other cities would arouse ma
tional interest and create unequaled en-
thusiasnl-interest far SURPRISING that of
the Yate-Harvard race just as the English
Henley exceeds in interest the OXFORD
Cambridge contest
All these matters will doubtless be fully
considered before announcement is made
of the new organizations plans, but II Is
believed that to gain success new or
ganization must be founded on broader
lines, with a wider scope and more. repre-
sentative government than the National
Association.