Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-30
TO IMPROVE
POTOMAC'S COURSE
Appeal Will Be Made to Con-
gress to Remove the Islands
Known as Three Sisters.

! With all the affairs Of the Middle States
regatta swept up and made a closed case
I the officials are now looking forward to the
| future for greater doings in the way Of
| aquatics and naturally greater glory for
| the Greater Washington The rowing
element of the city have in view, common
with the sturdy band Of business men who
| by push, energy and money, helped by The
| Evening Star Greater Washington train.
an interest in the development Of the city,
and particularly that portion which they
frequent most-the river. Now the i'm
provement of the upper Potomac river,
where the regattas take place. is the one
issue uppermost in the minds Of all those
who delight in rowing. 1t Is recognized by
all rowing authorities in America that the
Potomac river is the ideal spot for success
full regattas, from its environments, it's &C
feasibility, and, above all. the perfect
stretch of water always to be found. There
is only one impeachment in the way of max
Ing it absolutely perfect a course, and
that is the group of rocks known as the
Three Sisters" If this group were re-
moved and the neighboring rocks between
them and the District shore were likewise
treated the Potomac river would show to
the world course unparalleled in beauty.
The first step toward this work was &C
complished during the season just closed,
Regatta Association had Adelaide Rock
blown up. thereby widening the first half
mile to such an extent as to allow seven
eight-oared crews to start without fear
The second step will be taken next winter
when Congress assemblies when this asso-
citation will petition Congress to remove the
Sisters The association will be backed
up by all the rowing associations of Amer
lea, National Association of Amateur Oars
men. Middle States Association, New Eng
land Association, Schuylkill Navy. Patapsco
Navy, Mississippi River Association and as
far west as the Pacific Association of Oars
men. These organizations will petition Con-
gress to make the Potomac river to Amer
lea what the Henley course Is to Eng
land. 1t is heavy undertaking and will
require lots Of hard work. but the Potomac
River Association has never baked at
mountains. SO it will enter the fight with
enthusiasm.
ISOLATION regatta will probably go to the
jamestown exhibition. the local promoters
Of regattas here would make a bid to that
association to hold its annual regatta here
on the Potomac. river. 1t is almost GER
tain it will go to jamestown, as one Of the
unwritten rules of the national body is to
hold its regatta at the place where a ma
| tional exhibition is on tap. hence James,
town next year. 1t Is more than probable
that in 1908 the national regatta will be
held at Washington, as that great annual
event Is the only one needed now to cinch
Washington's hold on the outside people
as the one proper spot for the holding of
this championship race every year.
Next Years Regatta.
The year 1907 will witness a renewal of
the annual Potomac river regatta, which
was allowed to lapse in 1905 because the
national was held at Baltimore and this
year because the Middle States was held
here This affair will never again be given
up, unless in its place such an event as
the National Middle States takes it's
place. for the local association realizes it
made a mistake last year in allowing It
to go over. One of the pleasing outlooks
for next year is the fact that the Analos-
tans will join forces with the association
after an absence of many years, and their
help will materially strengthen the locals
in every way. 1t is understood that they
will continue the activity of this season
and that Coach Fred Plaisted will take up
early in the spring the task Of drilling their
men into the Plaisted stroke, one that the
Analostans certainly made famous in the
recent Middle States and gave great many
people a case of heart disease who watched
his wonderful crew finish in that eight
cared race. Mr.. Plaisted Is still here, and
goes out every night with Nevious of the
Analostans and Herman of the Potomacs,
in whom he is much interested scullers.
This activity of the Analostans will put
the Potomacs on their mettle to retain the
premier position on the river, and 1t Is
not unlikely that they will have to keep
Coach Dempsey in harness all season with
their scullers and oarsmen. 1t was con-
fdently believed that Dempsey was going
to coach Columbia University of New York,
but he slipped a cog and Rice OF Canadd
was selected as with such rowing college
as Columbia 1t was believed Dempsey would
have had a chance to show his ability.
There will be a large gathering of Po-
tomacs at their club house today to listen
to reports, talk over the past and the pros
poets of the future.