The Topeka state journal., 1899-10-11
Declares the Shamrock Is Bet
ter Handled.
BARR HANDICAPPED.
Of the American Yacht
Needs Assistance.
Experienced Men and Not
"SWagger Amateurs"

New York, Oct. lin a double-leaded
editorial on the yacht races the Brooklyn
Eagle says:
''The contest between Shamrock and
Columbia has reached so acute stage
that it has become a matter of intense
interest-and Importance 1t has reduced
itself to a matter Of business
BY this We mean that Shamrocks get
ting ahead of Columbia in all the incon-
elusive trials thus far is due to better
management, more attention to practical
principles, wiser distribution Of respon-
sibiities, sheWder unison of purpose or
effort and more sensible dispensation with
sentimental, spectacular and nonsensical
accessories.
Three of the best navigators Of yachts
in Europe are on board the Shamrock
One excellent but lamentably overworked
and oVerstrained navigator holds the tllI-
of Columbia in the person of Captain
Barr. The others in authority there are
a woman, mascot goat or parrot, lot
around and Mr.. c. Oliver Iselin, who
through the excellence OF his manners mas
the unhappy capacity of recOnCiling many
people to the probable victory Of the
Shamrock, and who would better stay OF
Columbia, leaving sailing matter TO
masters of sailing as Sir Thomas Upton
wisely, modestIy and unselfishly does by
staying on the Erin and letting men who
know how to handle Shamrock do the
handling of her. Not that Mr.. Iselin does
not know considerable about yachting lie
does. He knows just enough to make his
presence and orders interfere with men
who know more; Just enough to relieve
those men of a sense of Responsibility
and of a spirit of initiative and emula-
ton; just enough to make them. sluggish
sullen, heavy or indifferent
aside from the likely slight superiority
of Shamrock to Columbia, every tactical
advantage the Irish boat has gained over
the American has been due TO better SKIN,
better command of crew, better manipu-
latiOn of sails and better d1scernTnent and
Improvement of advantages and oppor-
tunities. The man at the uller has not
had to study the sails. The man watch
ing the sails has not had to keep the
crew on the jump. The man who keeps
the crew on the jump has not had to
study the wind or watch Columbia. None
of them has been interfered with by
sWagger amateurs or dictatOrial DOseurs.
Business is business on Shamrock-strict-
" business. Fit men for functions is the
rule there.
ION Columbia with Captain Barr should
be Captain Half of the Defender, Captain
Terry of the Grayling and Captain Rhodes
an unequaled master of sailing The pres
ence and cooperation of these men would
enable Captain Barr of Columbia to work
her on somewhat even terms with sham
rock. Their absence has put Captain Barr
at a disadvantages Columbia, too.
We know, were they present they would
require the swagger amateurs to leave
the yacht, would send the mascot ashore,
would dispense with the charm and Wis
dom of the ladies and would prefer Mr..
Iselin to go on some steambOat-and stay
the tiie cup here ana at that wRoGid in parf
compensate for the other losses.
Report is that they are not employed
because a division or monopoly of credit
is not desired-in case Of victory. Besides,
the victories that have kept the cup here.
is really addicted in moments OF extreme
which has offended the man who himself
wants monopoly of that accomplish
ment or infirmity. But, unless they, or
men as good, are employed, the cup viii
go to Ireland and, in that case, there
viii be no question OF where or on y nom
the monopoly of responsibility will be.
Men or man who can swear and win
would be better than a man who can't
Columbia management on a Shamrock
basis is necessary-indispens nsable-and at
once"