New-York tribune., 1901-05-25
PRICE THREE CENTS.
LAWSON'S CONTENTION.
CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN INDE-
PENDENCE'S OWNER AND l.. G.
IEDYARD


which has charge of the preIimnaries for the
Americas Cup races and Thomas ". Lawson.
of Boston. owner of the Independence. was
made public last night. IL leaves the mat
ter of the status of the Independence
exactly where II in the beginning. but
throws much light on the situation. which has
so agitated the Boston newspapers Of late, Still
further information was afforded by j. ". s.
Oddie. who supplemented the correspondence
with the following statement:
want to deny both as secretary of the New
York Yacht Club and secretary of the COM
nlttee m on chaIiense, statement made in The
Boston Herald" a few days ago, that Vice-Coul-
mocore Belmont had been active participant
in the discussions before the committee as TO
the admission of the Independence Mr. Bel
mont never attended a meeting of the COMMITTEES
on challenge. and no meeting of that COMMITTEES
was ever held in his Office.
Mr. Lawson's last letter seems to make 1T
pam that some of his earlier statements were
made under misapprehension and the New
York Yacht Clubs reply says that no notice will
De sent TO him that the Independence is ineligible
10 take part in the trial in the Cup races.
Ihe committee insists. however, that Mr. Law
son snail comply with the rules laid down and
maintained in former races.
THE INVITATION TO MIR. LAWSON.
The correspondence opens with the letter OF
OF the committee 1t is follows:
The committee appointed by the New-York Yacht
RovaI 90 Isa %rh was referred the challenge Of the
Americas CUP With Doe P pGp 015eT match tbD i0r the
S ee' a vessel 70 represent the club in the match.
SSolunbia and Constitution that those vessels will
supervision Of the NewYork Yacht club WiS
Tb 20 Ing selection or ITS representative vessel
owner OF the Independence, now in process Of con-
struction in Boston from designs by Mr.. Crownin-
ShleId that she is of the same the Sham
rock H. and the vessels above mentioned. and as
Of being offered as possible defender of the CUP
sd II h9s seemed to the committee proper that they
communicated by it's chairman several months ago
would govern entries for the trial Ttis.o races "l'i
The The Cur Cup is is held BY the New-York Yacht Club
Is not open to contest between individuals. but
club on the one hand and the club holding the Cup.
defend the match is made the representative the
The challenged club Is made responsible for tho
and conduct during the match.
responsibility unless it vested with corresponding
represented and for the conduct Of which it Is re-
sponsioie. The ehalle1sed club can be effectively
having the vessel under it's flag and under the
only member Is bound by IT'S ruies ameDa5ia 20
Its control and subject tc its discipline.
These conditions have, in fact existed in all
The committee are therefore compelled to hold
be qualified TO hy the aas OF the club and must be-
q and that sescsed Il to defend eh h
after the conclusion of the match
IL proper to add that in their selection of
which has always been observed would reserve TO
sci which. in their Judgment is. under all the cir
cumstances best adapted for the purpose The
necessarily conclusive. and the committee will
gard themselves as at liberty to consider or not at
ances of the respective vessels prior to the trial
The committee believe that they are expressing
the unanimous sentiment of the NewYork Yacht
Club In saying that the apped rance of the hide
pendence competitor for the honor of defending
are not forgetfuI OF the distinguished part which
Boston yachtsmen have taken in these events in the
pendence every possible courtesy consistent with
Cup.
OFFER To GIVE " Y Y c. CONTROL.
To this Mr.. Lawson replied on April 25 ex-
pressing his thanks for the information and the
kindly expressions. and quoting extensively
from the original letter in order that there may
be no misunderstanding. Then he says:
I therefore ask that the Independence be allowed
the honor of defending the cup II in the fair and
strates she is. everything considered. the best
TDenendenc Is segected 10 defend the e1Ip TO eiv
TO the New-York Yacht Club absolute control and
match.
conclusion that will be satisfactory TO every one
Interested. 1 have Immediately upon the receipt
with Mr. Crowninshield any of the other Boston
gentlemen who are TO sail the Independence. thus
lay il before them and have little doubt but they
Will ndorse my views
Mr.. Ledyard's next letter is dated April so.
and concludes:
In reviewing my letter you omit to can attention
must be qualified fly the flag of the New-York
Yacht Club, but I assume from your cordial assent
10 the conditions in general that the omission is
/ am requested inform that the committees
ence for the trial races when she shall have been
q shonld she before the trial races be qualified
under the rules of the club 20 enter club events
can meet the CONSERVATION and the Columbia, and
thus enjoy equal facilities with those vessels foT
and the vessel herself In the best possible Iorm b
The cGmmttse has meet nS 1he very best boat this
country can produce
INsIsTENCE ON CLUB RULES.
In Mr.. Lawson's retoinder OF May ne says
that the omission noted was intentional, be-
cause he did not know what the New-York
Yacht Club would hold TO be the necessary
Qualifications and asks what steps he should
take to meet the requirements To this Mr.
Ledyard replied ON May 10 after a meeting or
his committee. as follows;
There are two methods in which yacht may be-
thus qualified-frst by being enrolled In the name
OF one or more members of the club and registered
Se Ser tne oT members second by being chartered TO
member or members for a period OF not less than
becomes entitled 10 all club privileges which any
sinb events Under the Second She acquires the
right TO enter the squadron runs upon the annual
ever under the ruling of the committee. communi-
Gated 10 you in my former letter. be entitled. II
thus chartered to enter the Americas Cup trial