New-York tribune., 1901-12-25
FOUR NILES OR THREEf

Concurrently with the discussion of the ad-
visibility of cutting down the traditional four
years college course to three years the Ques-
ton of reducing the length of intercollegiate
rowing races from four miles TO three has been
revived by Mr. Storrow. the we'll known Har-
ward oarSman and coach Mr.. StorrOw earnestly
favors the shorter distance believing that the
strain Of the fourth mile is in many cases eX-
cessive and occasionally productive Of perma-
nent injury. Not long ago, while this subject
was engaging an unusual amount Of attention.
Mr.. Lehman. the English oarsman who for two
years had charge of the Harvard crews.
pressed the opinion that shorter races would not
accomplish the object desired. for the reason
that if the distance to he covered were reduced
the men in the boats would simply exert them
selves TO the uttermost during larger part of
the race. the tendency being toward continu-
Gus squirt. He said he had observed at Henley
that the short races were the most exhausting.
and should expect to see a similar result follow
to a proportionate extent if the university
courses were cut down to three miles. In sup
port of that view others cited the experience of
runners. who not infrequently collapse after
short dash. 1t was remarked also that in old
days on the turf when longer races We're com
mon, horses were usually less distressed at the
Such evidence as this is interesting and
worthy of consideration. but il is not conclusive
on the face of it. An oarsman may TO all ap-
pearance be completely done up and in q CON
dition TO cause anxiety after brief effort. and
Vet be sure of complete recuperation: whereas
though he may not look worse or feel more dis
tressed at the end of a long race, the duration
of the strain may have produced invisible
effects which will declare themselves in later
life or perhaps impair vitality without ever
being discovered. The last mile of the Yale
Harvard race at New-London last June was as
desperately contested ii could have been if it
had been the first and only mile there to
row. and il would be absurd 10 contend that
the oarsmen were as fit for that extreme eXer
ton rs they would have been had they just
stepped into the boats. and ran no greater risk
of permanent injury than if they had not al
ready rowed three miles. How great the risk
is in such case the authorities probably do not
know. but we believe they would agree that il
is not slight. The important fact has also been
pointed out that in this country the interco-
legiate boat races occur not only in the hot sea-
son. but Immediately after the trying period Of
examinations.
IT has been suggested as an objection to
shortening the races, that for many years the
distance has been four miles. and consequently
all the records would become valueless for pur-
poses of comparison. That is perhaps a consd-
Grafton which appeals strongly TO college
statisticians. but it has no bearing on the ser-
ous question which is under discussion The
young men of the universities, though they are
not averse TO novelties OF various kinds are re-
markably conservative in the matter of aca-
demic customs and traditions, and it will not
be easy to convert them TO Mr. Sorrows views
of this boating question. But we are glad he
has called general attention 70 il again, for it