Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-16
FAVORED BY THE
LOCAL OARSMEN
Why AnaIoStan Island Should
Be the Home of the Row.
ing Clubs.
Potomacs Will Probably Locate
on the Tidal Basin in
Potomac Park.

| While this may not be the most pro-
pitious time to talk about rowing matters
1 for next season, since one gets the cold
shivers from the thought of abbreviated
uniforms and spin over the icy water. yet
/ the entire club membership Of the organi-
| cations in the neighborhood Of Washington
| are busy at present discussing this subject
/ 1t is chiefly over the matter Of making Ana
lostan Island the future home of the clubs
| or the possibility Of being forced to go
| down to Potomac Park.
The idea of securing Analostan Island for
public park, first mentioned in a. recent
| issue Of The Star. has attracted consid-
cradle attention, and many hold that the
| island is the most feasible place in the city
| for just such park This claim does not
come from the membership of the rowing
clubs alone but it is the conviction OF
great number of leading citizens. who. look
| ing far beyond personal interests, are
| aware that it would not only add beauty
to the river front, but would give the neg
lected section a resort which they are and
have been clamoring for these many years
They argue that it's accessibility by the
street cars from every section OF the city
| for one fare, and the memorial bridge
which, it is expected, in few years will
touch the lower end. will tendl to make 1t
| the most favored spot where all outdoor
sports can be INDUCED in at Will. as the
island possesses splendid natural facilities
for base ball. foot ball. golf. field and track
work, swimming, rowing and skating when
the wintry days come.
OF course, among the rowing phalanX
Ethere is almost unanimity, as they believe
that by locating their club houses along the
island river front it will enhance the beauty
of the park and make the river a delightful
resort, bringing back the prestige of pleas
ure rowing that existed on the river prior
to 1900 If the park is secured and permits
sion granted to build thereon the Potomac
1IIh OF n6S
in the neigh borhood of $4,000, and it Is at
the time well understood that the
Washington Canoe Club if forced out by
the encroachments of the Baltimore and
Ohio railroad would likewise build home
larger and handsomer than the one it now
possesses
The Analostans might also be induced to
cross the stream and take up their abode
with the others, though they now own not
only the property on which their coy house
stands, but also adjoining property, which
they acquired to ward off the encroach-
ments of such interests have driven the
Potomacs from their beautiful old home.
The Georgetown University would surely
join the line and tow their floating boat
house across stream to swell the proposed
Potomac river navy as much as possible.
The location of the clubs on the island
would perpetuate the fine course that has
been used by the Potomac River Regatta
men are 10th to give up what Is now re-
garded as the best course in the eastern
section or the country.
The members of the Potomac Boat Club
realize that, at the most encouraging out
look, 1t will be several years before Ana
lostan Island could be secured a public
park, and hence they are busy looking for
site that can be used next season. as they
feel that it will be impossible to pass an
other year at the present location. COM
mittee consisting of the board of governors
and the float officers made an inspection
tour of the river front from the Highway
bridge up to Easby's Point during the past
week. They went over the ground care
fully, examining every site available, and
they came to the unanimous opinion that II
they must move next season the only suit
able place Is near the mouth of the tidal
basin. between the basin and the Highway
bridge This is really beautiful spot, and
the inspection committee is sangune that
the re-establshment of the "old national
course-from the bridge to Easby's Point
would be in a short time as popular and as
famous the one up stream.
1t was on this course that the national
regattas were held in 1881 and 1884, we'll
as every other regatta up to 1898, and-fn
point of water expanse it is better by far
than the other under the Aqueduct
bridge. With the new driveway along the
wall, the spectators can be accommo-
dated far better than at any other place.
the only drawback at present being the lack
of adequate facilities for reaching the
place, as it is away from the street car
service, with the exception of the Mount
Vernon line. which crosses the Highway
bridge. 1t is now up to the club to speak
up and have Supt. Cromwell allot to it a
site in the park.
movement is on foot to organize rowing
clubs among the several high schools of the
city, Mr.. Clarence A. Hecox of Mckinley
being the moving spirit of the enterprise.
1t might be well to Fecall the fact that
in New York, Philadelphia, Worcester and
other northern cities the high schools have
crews. and the recruits from Craftsmanship
have always been most creditable. At the
American Henley, held every spring at
Philadelphia, the stewards OF the assoca-
ton have added a race for high schools.
and this event is always attended by sew
eral good crews.
While the Schuylkill navy is still making
a stubborn fight for the national regatta.
1t is generally believed that the national
association will vote for the event to go to
the jamestown exposition.