The Washington times., 1905-07-24
DEMPSEY FAYORS
SHORTER COURSE.
Would Have Three-Mile
Race on Hudson.
POTOMACS AT THE NATIONAL
VIII Be Represented by Eight, Dou-
BILE, and Single in Baltimore
Regatta.

Coach P. A. Dempsey. of the George
town crew. is among the most ardent
advocates of a reduction of the dis
lance OF the intercollegiate boat races
on the Hudson from four to three miles.
Following each Poughkeepsie regatta
there has been considerable discussion |
concerning the merits the different dis
tances possess, but since the race last
June the question has aroused more
interest than ever before
Charley Courtney. the Cornell coach,
who has been more uniformly success
fll at the Poughkeepsie than any of his
five rivals, is strongly in faver OF short
eninas the course. His argument IS that
the time required in preparing Tor the
long races takes too much time from
study. and besides he claims that the
races are practically determined al
three miles.
Dempsey Wants Change
In speaking of the question Coach
Dempsey said:
Georgetown would welcome change
from four TO three miles. Not having
any representative on the board OF
stewards we, of course, cannot voice
our sentiments officially, but 1 believe
that before the next regatta the ques-
ton VIII be thoroughly thTeshed out by
the officials and while a change might
not be made before next June. look
for reduction in the length OF the
course before long.
ITO my mind there is little to be
gained by retaining the last mile The
races at Foughkeepsie are Won or lost
in the first three miles, and I think
that if the course We're cut to that dis
tance there would be little or no differ
ence IN the relative positions OF the
crews.
1T is rot the race itself, but rather
the training against winch the opposl-
ton IS being Waged. II the distance
were reduced the preparation Of the
men for the supreme test could be les
sened greatly. II is only by exercising
the greatest care over the men in their
long months OF training that they can
finally be brought to the pink of cOndl-
ton on the day OF the race. Hgure thal
during the six months many q mile
could be saved This time the men could
devote 10 their college work, and there
would be little or no difference in the
order in which the crews finished.
Would Increase Interest.
'.By having three instead of four
miles the luu which appears in nearly
all the crews after settling down from
their racing starts. and which is the
only trying part Of the race for the
spectators would be done away with.
as the going would be faster from he
ginning TO end. When il came u the
final squirt from the two-mile mark the
men would be freSher and better able
10 make an exciting finish
Since returning from Poughkeopsie
Coach Dempsey has been working with
the oarsmeu Of the Potomac BGat
Club. He has succeeded in wedding out
the material and is now working 4
picked eight, which VIII carry she Eed
and White in the senior eighJ-0ared
event in the national regatta, 10 be held
at Baltimore on August Il. This viii
be the first time in a number OF Years
Washington has been represented IN the
biue-rIbDOn race At the classic regatta
OF boat clubs Of America. but judging
from the work Of Dempsey's pIoteEcs
thew should DO well IL the big race.
Because OF the large number of can
dldatcs Il was necessary TO spend CON
siderable time in choosing the most
desirable aspirants Tor the seats The
final stage OF preparation for the Bal
tiRore race has already begun and
che eight as II IS at present rowing
.s Barber. stroke; Captain Mueller, No.
); DuGanne, No. e. Freeman. No. 81
Scott. No. 4; Bliss, No. 3; Bell. No. 2
and Thompson. bow. with Henecke. cox
swain.
Daily Brushes.
The crew has the benefit each even
ing of rowing over the upper Potomac
course with the intermediate crew. In
tAe nightly brushes the seniors have
been able TO show their rudder 10 the
Juniors IN way that speaks well Of
their chances in the National
In the race on the PatapscO the Po-
tonacs viii be lined up against the De-
.roit Boat Club, the West Philadelphia
Boat Club. the Winnipegs OF Canada
the Harlem Boat Club, and q couple
Of other clubs, whose entries have not
yet been announced.
IN addition 20 their eight. the Potomac
will be represented in the singles by
Dan MCGOWAN and in the doubles by
Joe Day and Dick RcddIngton. These
men are ali experienced scullers and,
although they viii be stacked up
against the pick OF the oarsmen in their
respective classes. they are showing up
weu enough in their daily course OF
sprouts on the Potomac 10 warrant tho
belief that they viii be well up in thcir
races.