New-York tribune., 1901-09-04

Mr.. LAWSON AND HIS INDEPENDENCE
If there were reason 10 suppose that further
tests might prove Mr.. Thomas W. Lawsons
yacht Independence to be superior TO the Colum-
bia and the Constitution her owners apparent
determination 10 break her up would cause re-
gret. for Shamrock II is universally believed TO
be a dangerous boat Yet even in that case
iudirious and we'll informed persons would not
be ready 10 admit that the New York Yacht
Club could properly modify the conditions under
which the Independence was invited to COM
pete for the honor of defending the Cup. Hut
the evidence all contradicts Mr.. Lawsons an
nouncement that she is the fastest yacht afioat.
and therefore there Is no occasion TO shed tears
ut the prospect Of her destruction. Nor. what
ever effect II may have produced in the latitude
of Boston is Mr.. Lawson's recent explanation
of his conduct likely to win sympathy and ap-
plause elsewhere. though II was evidently de-
signed to be extremely appealing.
If anybody was still unable to account for the
course pursued by Mr. Lawson his latest out
giving is convincing proof that just such
course was natural 10 a man capable Of de-
Tending it in such manner. In the first place.
his statement of the terms on which he might
have entered the independence in the trial
races bears not the remOtest resemblance TO the
terms prescribed by Commodore Ledyard. Mr..
Lawson saws he was required 10 take oath that
the Independence mo longer belonged to- him,
and Ito turn her over TO any member of the
New York Yacht Club who might be desig
mated: that he was told that when he had
done this he would have no more rights In
"her than if he had not given the boat
Thought that "she was to belong to the mem
| "ber of the club 10 whom she was given In fee
simple" and that 'he might sell her. break her
"up. sink her or do whatever he wished with
her
Now. the fact is that Mr. Lawson was Of
| fcially informed by Mr.. Ledyard that the indie
pendence could be qualified to enter the trial
races i'm either of two ways-by being enrolled
in the name of one or more members Of the
New-York Yacht Club and registered in the
name of such member or members. or by being
chartered 10 a member or members for period
OF not less than two months In the former
case she would be entitled TO all club privileges,
while in the latter case she would be entitled 20
enter the squadron runs on the annual cruise ms
well as the trial races. Mr.. Lawson was further
Informed that the selection Of member or
members TO whom the Independence might be
thus temporarily intrusted would be n matter
for his own personal choice. and the arrange
ment would be one wholly between himself and
time these conditions appeared to be perfectly
satisfactory TO Mr.. Lawson. but subsequently,
FOR reasons best known 10 himself. he changed
his mind or his attitude. and finally submitted
an impossible form Of contract, drawn by legal
advisers whom he declined TO name. Now, on
the eve of sending his yacht TO the scrap heap,
he evinces. TO put it mildly. an amazing forget
fulness of the simple conditions TO which he
was necessarily required TO conform, describes
state OF things which never existed except in
his own imagination and poses as a generous
and patriotic sportsman in whose way insur-
mountabIe obstacles have been unaccountably
placed.
1t is an erratic performance, If there ever was
one but we are forced TO believe that il is quite
Characteristic OF Mr. Lawson. Fortunately no
interests more important than his own seem to
be involved. 1t may be that a better boat than
the Columbia or the Constitution is needed TO
defend the Cup. but If so. there Is no reason TO
think that ii could be saved by the Inde-