Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-25
National Regatta Wanted by
Local Oarsmen.
THE PROPOSED HENLEY
PROJECTED PRIZE FIGHT AT DE-
TRoIT PROBABLY OFF.
Largest Ice Boat in the World Being
Built-Leading Universities Enter
in Fencing Tourney.

The belief is expressed that the "Ameri
can Henley" to be held at Philadelphia
next July may cause the national regatta
to be rowed on the Potomac. Last Octo-
ber's successful regatta has encouraged To-
cal arsmen to more ambitious undertakings.
1t has already been decided to hold Po-
tomac river regatta here. Hopes are enter
tanned that the other and more important
event will be under local control. Philadel-
phia oarsmen, it Is understood, will bid for
the national regatta, but 1t is unlikely that
two big regattas will be rowed on the
Schuylkill If Lake Quinsigamond does not
get the national. the Potomac river prob
ably will. The Philadelphia Inquirer says:
mo formal application has been made for
the event from this city. and much is to be
considered before such a move can be
taken. 1t is an expensive luxury, costing
between $1SGO and 81 500, and as rule,
the local rowing men are obliged to go
down in their pockets to foot the bill Club
men whose colors are being carried to the
front by winning scullers or crews do not
hesitate to contribute literally; but the
club which Is not represented by a Compel
itor is loath to give the regatta financial
support beyond the usual club assessment.
May Displace the National.
1t is thought by many oarsmen that the
American Henley will in time supersede the
national regatta of the N. A. A. o. One
prominent oarsmen and coach who does not
wish his name used. says that the Ameri-
can Henley will bring out at least fifty
more crews from various parts Of the east
who will not now compete at the national
regatta because they declare that many of
the crews which row there every year are
semi-professionals, and. therefore, have a
big advantage over them.
large
amateur crews that the American Rowing
Association has been organized That It
will be the biggest stimulus which rowing
has ever experienced in this country is ad-
mitted by all oarsmen.
The New Association.
Thomas Reath, chairman of the rowing
committee Of the University of Pennsylva-
MIA. says that the American Henley will
become the meeting place of the best crews
in the United States or England-if the
Britshers wish to try their luck on this
side of the Atlantic. Said Mr. Reath:
THE object Of this regatta is to further
the interests Of amateur rowing in general
No definite rules Of eligibility have as yet
been decided upon, but they will doubtless
make eligible any club which in the opin-
ion of the board has a clean record and
which can produce an amateur crew. The
requirements for man being an amateur
will not. in my mind, be as fast and set as
the present accepted amateur rules. Petty
errors, which, in the opinion of the board
are Insignificant will probably not be counted
against man. An amatuer crew should
be one composed of men who are not gen.
orally considered professionals.
1t is our hope in a few years to have a
large number of entries from the various
universities. 1t will take some time how
ever, for our plans to be carried out, and
not many are anticipated this year. At
present the collegians will be classed with
the club crews, but If in a few years the
number of entries is large enough a sepa-
rate class will be arranged for them. There
are several obstacles to be encountered by
the university crews.
THE shortness of the time Intervening
between the Poughkeepsie regatta, on June
%, and our regatta, on the I'd of July is
the principal objection. The length of the
course is only mile and a half, and the
majority of the college crews will have
been training all spring for four-mile races.
Then the keeping of the varsity Fights to-
gether after the close of the school year
will be another difficulty. Doubtless, how
ever. few university crews will be en-
tered. They will probably not be the regu-
lar Fights, but will be composed of mem
bers Of the varsity and men who were can
didateS for it.
There may also be some graduate crews
entered. If the alumni Of the university
have club it will be possible. Members
of Pennsylvania varsity crew are made
life members Of the University Boat Club
and graduate crew could easily be en-
tered by that club. Whether the other uni
versities have such organizations do not
know. A graduate crew would be classed
with the club crews.
In January another meeting of the
board Of stewards will be held and all these
considerations settled