The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-02-20
TIP FROM WORCESTER,
New York Oarsmen Form An Association
to Hold An American Henley.

The Commercial Advertiser of Saturday
evening printed the following regarding
the possibility of holding an American
Henley regatta New York oarsmen have
evidently lost sight of the fact that Wor-
cester lovers OF aquatics have already
started out upon similar lines, and that
one International regatta has already been
heid mere. Had the newly formed High
land Rowing Association consulted James
). Aborn the members of that organiza-
ton would undoubtedly have learned
| something to their advantage !" The ar
ticle in the Commercial Advertiser reads:
A few days ago a new aquatic organiza-
tlon, entitled the Highland Rowing Asso-
citation, was inaugurated, and if the in
tentions of those interested in it prove
feasible in The future there is new era in
store for the deVotees of water sports on
| this side of the Atlantic. The new asso-
citation will have home at Poughkeepsie.
but it will be managed from this city by
men of experience in boating matters
Its primary object is the advancement of
amateur rowing and to take charge of the
Intercollegiate races between Cornell,
Pennsylvania, Columbia and Wisconsin,
but 1t has a more ambitious but seeming
Y impossible object in view - nothing
short of the establishment of a monster
water carnival on the lines of the Henley
regatta.
The idea is not new to the American
rowing public. 1t has been in contempa-
ton long time, and hundred and one
suggestions have been offered from every
quarter, but not a solitary practical move
| was ever made for start The Highland
/ Association has made this move in the
/ proper way. But, sportsmen said when
they heard of the objects of the new move
ment, where will they get the support
from? A great regatta cannot be held
! without first-class crews and a pile OF
money for initial expenses. - Great how
ever, as these obstacles appear, they may
be easily overcome, when it is learned
that Cornell. Pennsylvania, Columbia and
I wisconsin will row their annual race at
! Poughkeepsie, ana each of these institu-
lions Is enthusiastic over the prospect of
an American Henley.
! They have promised their support to
/ the movement, and there is no more suit
aole location for great regatta than the
Poughkeepsie course. Then, as for money
10 push the scheme, a prominent member
of the association said to the writer:
:. We need very little money, and even
| II we do we have thousands upon thou
sands at our back The first vital move
has been the establishment of a New York
headquarters, where all information rela-
i've to the project will be available for
lhe members of the press and people
! Wlshlng arrangements on observation
trains or other matters. This office will
pc at 40 East Forty-second street. Fred
EI,oGrtmyer will be in charge of the office
! When asked today for general outline
OF the proposed plans of the organization
Mr.. FOrtmyer said:
The Highland Rowing Association will
be an Incorporated body in a few days
and everything in connection with it will
De conducted in strictly business meth
%. We are going to establish an Ameri.
can Henley. do not see what there is tC
prevent US. We have the finest course in
| America, and it can ne reached so easily
and with but a trifling expense attached
to the journey.
We have the assurance of Cornell, Co.
! lumbia, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin OF
their assistance for years TO come, anG
this fact alone ought to be nucleus gooC
enough to encourage the most skeptical
| mo new feature will be introduced this
year. There will be two races, a varsity
and freshmen, and if it were necessary VIZ
could run the two off in one day but / an
of the opinion that this will hardly be-
possible. Next year we intend some sur
Iprises though. We will invite an English
varsity crew, and ] think they will have
no objection in meeting the champion
| varsity crew of America. Englishmel
are game sportsmen, and when they enteI
an International contest they like to NEE
the best the land can afford"
Mr.. Gould manager of the Cornell crew
had a conference with MIR. Fortmyer ;
few days ago, with the result that early
in the coming week the Poughkeepsj,
course viii be surveyed. The presen
sheet of ice offers a splendid opportunity
for accuracy. In connection with the sur
YeY soundings will be taken of the cours,
from the start to the finish line From
these a. chart will he drawn and blu
prints furnished to the different crews, a,
well as other individuals who will signif,
thelr ambition to own one.