The age-herald., 1901-09-21
First Race Ioy Me Ame1zca's
 Cub U/aW be SazIed Sebtembev %

New York September 2o-(Special.)- An informal and secret meeting of the challenge committee of the New York Yacht Club and of representatives of the Royal Ulster Yacht Club was held at the waidorf-Astoria late on Sunday night. MT. Watson, the Hon. Charles Russell and Sir Thomas Lipton were also present, 1t is said though Sir Thomas took little if any part in the discussion It was agreed by both par ties from the start that the cup races ought to be postponed out of respect to President Mckinley, but when it came to fixing a date there was some differ ence of opinion.
 The committee of the Royal Ulster Yacht Club said that the postponement should be long enough to show a proper respect for the dead. and then to give an idea of what time was necessary for that purpose referred to the fact that when the mother of the German Elm peror died (she was King Edwards sis-
  and the German Emperor's yacht com peted. The fact that the Stock Ex- change was closed but for day was mentioned, as were also the races held by the Coney Island Jockey Club.
 Finally a postponement until Thurs day. the 26th, was offered by the Royal Ulster Yacht Club representatives, and the challenge committee agreed.
 esterday the formal meeting was held at the New York Yacht Club with only members of the committee pres ent The agreement of the previous meeting was ratified.
 The letter of the representative of the Royal Ulster Yacht Club to Secretary Oddie proposes that in view of the death of the President the first race be post poned to the Thursday following the day originally set. The committee says that were it's feelings alone to be considered later date would be proposed. but the fact that many persons now here to att tend the races have engagements on the other side that they must fill, and that contracts involving heavy sums of money must be fulfilled makes 1t hardship to postpone the race for a considerable time.
 The challenge committee thanks the Royal Ulster Yacht Club for it's sugges- ton that the races be postponed. The letter states that longer postpone ment was desirable. but admits that the Royal Ulster Club knows best the condi- tions that confront it. The challenge con- mittee accepts the proposition of the Royal Ulster Yacht Club without ques- tior.
 Many letters have been received by Sir Thomas Llpton from people who have chartered steamers to carry spectators to the races urging him to make the post ponement of the races as short as pos- sble, because long postponement meant utter ruin to them. These letters made a strong impression upon him, but he was satisfied to have the race postponed a week.
 When Secretary Oddie was asked how the matter was considered by the com mittee, he said:
 "we had agreed to sail on Saturday and so it was up to them to say when the first race should be held. When they suggested Thursday, the 2eth. we readily agreed. Of course we should have liked a longer delay"
 One hundred men were engaged on Shamrock In the dry dock at the Erie basin yesterday. Most of them were polishing the bronze underbody with some sort of powder mixed with water. It Is slow but very effective method. The wood filling of the rudder having swelled somewhat, the thin metal plates were ripped off, the wood was planed down and today new sheathing will be put on. The wood filling was common Canada spruce. judging by the looks. On the forecastie some little altera- tions were made in the cleats. The great