New-York tribune., 1906-12-16
BAR AMERICAN OARSMEN
HENLEY STEWARDS ACT.
n. II. Il. o.. to Enter Cre7cs, Mast
Make agreement sCith British.

London. Dec 15.-As a result of disclosures in
the inquiry held by the National Association of
Amateur Oarsmen of America that the expenses
OF the crew of the Vesper Boat Club. of Phila-
delphia, which rowed at Henley in 1905. had
been paid IN part by public subscription which
disqualified them uder the laws of the Amateur
Rowing Association OF England and because
the officers Of the national association of Amer
lean oarsmen had certified as TO this crews
status as amateurs without that inquiry which
they had led the Henley committee TO believe
had been made, the stewards of the Henley
regatta passed a resolution to-day under which
all American crews and scullers debarred
IN future from competing at the Henley re-
gatta until the American rowing authorities
complete an agreement with the Henley COM
mittee such as already exists with the French,
German. Dutch. Belgian and Canadian associa-
tions.
The question was brought UP by Fletcher. the
Oxford coach, outcome of the trouble in
the Vesper Boat Club. of Philadelphia, last June.
and after a lengthy discussion the general rules
of the regatta were ordered to be altered IN ac-
cordance with a resolution. which was unani-
mousy approved, as follows:
No entries shall be accepted Of any crew or
scuer. out of the United Kingdom belonging
10 q club not affiliated to a union or federation
having an agreement with the committee in
charge Of the management OF the Henley Ike
gatta.
Fletcher gave notice of this motion on June
o3, after the stewards had decided to disbar the
Vesper crew from future participation in the
Henley regatta and It has been much discussed
since that time AS first proposed, the resolu-
ton unqualfedly debarred the committee from
accepting the entries Of crews and scullers from
America, but Fletcher intimated that his idea
only TO make this temporary TO give the
Americans time ito put their house in order"
This step. however. was considered far too
drastic a course by the rank and file of oarsmen,
who did not believe that all American rowers
should suffer for the sins of the Vespers and the
failure Of the officers OF the National Association
Of Amateur Oarsmen to make full inquiries be-
fore certifying to the qualifications Of this crew
1t was. therefore, decided to disbar the crews Of
any country not having an association in agree
ment with the Henley committee.
II is believed that this resolution passed,
will induce the National Association of Amateur
Oarsmen TO make such arrangements with the
henley committee as Will insure in the future
the entry only Of crews whose amateur status IS
unQuestioned @
To-day's meeting q the regatta stewards was
held under the presidency of ]. W. Rhodes be-
hind closed doors. Among others present wera
Lord Desborough, Sir Robert Herrnon- Hodge
w. F. D. Smith. VI. P: r. c. Lehman and
Coach Fletcher.
The passing of even this moderated resolution
has caused surprise here. it was thought that
the regatta stewards were satisfied after the
discussion which has taken place during the
last year that their wishes would be met by the
American rowing associations The only other
prominent rowing country affected by the ruling
is Australia.
1t is customary in points at issue with the
Henley stewards that all motions shall be made
Two meetings in advance. Consequentlv F1etch-
er motion TO bar all American clubs did not
come up for final discussion until to day
, III was announced from Henley on June 23 that
the Vesper Boat Club. of Philadelphia had been
barred nom further competition at the Henley
Regatta This step was the outcome OF the ac-
ton OF the National Association of Amateur
oarsmen in regard to the visit of the Vesper crew
10 Henley in 1893. The barring of the Vesper
crew from Henley followed by notice OF A
motion made by Fletcher, the oxford coach that
no further entries from any American rowing
club should be accepted
AT meeting of the executive committee of
the National Association OF Amateur Oarsmen
held at the New York Athletic Club on March
IL, charges were preferred against the manager
and members of the Vesper crew and the treas
urer Of the Vesper Henley fund The accused
oarsmen were allowed three weeks to prepare
answers to the charges, and the executive COM
mittee was instructed to investigate the case
At meeting held at the Athletic Club of
Philadelphia on April the charges Of laxity in
the use Of the subscribed funds provided to meet
the expenditures of the Vesper Club at Henley
were investigated, with the result that the
treasurer was censured for lax methods In hand
ing the fund. the manager OF the crew was
suspended for one year for injudicious expendi-
ture of money intrusted 10 his care. and the mem
bers OF the crew were suspended for one year
ING