Waterbury Democrat., 1902-06-21
GLOOMY DAY FOR BOAT RACE
Crews Will go Over the Course
 Rain or Shine.

Very Few People Went to the Course
 During the Forenoon and in Conse-
 auence There Was Little Excite
 ment-Backer of Pennsylvania Bet
 Sl.ooO to $500 That "Pennsy''
 Would Beat Georgetown.
 Poughkeepsie, N. Y, June 21.-It was a gloomy oullook that this morning confronted the many rowing enthusi- asts who have gathered here to Wit ness the contests between braWny rep resentatives of the six universities on the Hudson river course this afternoon. A nasty gray sky spread from east to west without a single break ill it to justify the hope of clearing, and at ln- tervals the rain poured down i'll tor rents. The early trains from the north and south brought practically no one. and up to the middle of the forenoon there was the smallest gathering of spectators ever seen in Poughkeepsle on regatta day. The crews will TOW this afternoon even if the rain contin- ues, for the water is in good condition and little or no wind.
 All of the crew coaches this morn HIS Sdtlu LuC1I Dltl WC1C III SOOd SOh- dition for the race, noteworthy cir- cumstance considering that there are 146 Oarsmen ill training here. The crews lounged around their boat houses all morning, or kept well in quarters to avoid the chill in the at- mosphere.
 Late last night there was little bet ting, but this morning, probably be- cause of the Tact that few if any of the college men have arrived, it was pretty hard to find anybody who want ! ed to put dollar on the races. For the freshmen eight, Wisconsin was this morning a decided favorite, and even | Cornell packers were asking for 2 to l. with Wisconsin the fayorite. Tn the l varsity Cornell is a strong favorite and although in some cases the field was offered against Cornell at q good advantage, there were few takers. The only wager of any importance laid was one of 91, ,O0Oby Pennsylvania adherents that their varsity crew would beat Georgetown, the Georgetown adherents l taking 1t at an advantage of 2 to l. The thousand dollars was offered by a single individual and the $500 which was laid on Georgetown was raised by a pool of Georgetown supporters. l Coach Courtney of the Cornell crews | said this morning that while he con sidered his varsity crew very fit, he did not share any outside predictions | of sure victory. He thought 1t was going to be a very hard fought race and would not be won until towards the close of the last mile
 Curiously enough, although there are good many Columbia college peo- pie here, there is little if any money being placed on Columbia to win. l h pool made last night on the varsity race Cornell sold for $9, Wis consln for ST, and Pennsylvania for $5. Columbia sold for S1. This is strange in view of the fact that Coach Hanlan has talked very favorably of his men and believes they will make a great showing.
 l The unknown factor in the race is l Georgetown. It's varsity crew has rowed very fast over the four mile course, but the general impression among the rowing sharps is that while she will be very formidable for three miles, she will not be able to keep the pace to the finish. Syracuse does not seem to figure in the "before the race' predictions, and Pennsylvania. whose crews have always made a big show ing, and on several occasions have won on this course, is also getting very lit tie consideration among those who are picking winners
 Francis s. Bangs, chairman of the board of stewards, said at 3 o'clock l this morning: "Row in the rain? Of cc sse we will. There is nothing in tie rules about rain and the water will l be in good condition"
 What about the general public P was asked
 l "We have nothing to do with that. The public must take it's chance with l the weather There is no reason l why the races should be postponed.'' l MT Fortmeyer and others of the stewards present agreed, with the ex- ception of one of the local members who thought that fair weather should l be waited for
 At 2:30, when Referee Cutters began to police the course, there was not a breath of air stirring. Rain was fall l ing slightly and heavy fog hung over the river. It was hardly possible for the spectators to see at over a miles distance. The races were to start at 3:3O.