Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-27
NATIONAL REGATTA
MAY COME HERE

The recent articles in the issues OF The
Sunday Star In relation to the holding OF
the next annual regatta OF the National
Association Of Amateur Oarsmen here on
the PotomacTiver has attracted consider
able attention IN this city. as we'll as IN
New York and Philadelphia.
The New York people would like the
regatta pulled off on the Potomac river.
as they are stanch in their faith that 1t Is
the one ideal spot in America for big
regatta. and. besides. the Harlem river
boating men are very DESTROYS Of getting
the middle states for their place next
year, and with Washington holding the
national they believe the middle states
would be cinched for them. The press
of New York has espoused Washington
| as the place for the regatta, even though
this city has made no organized intention
that 1t is after the prize
The Philadelphia rowing men are royal
rooters for Washington under all circuln-
stances. and the Potomacs have only TO
! make it known that they desire the re-
gatta and the members of the Schuylkill
| navy will doff their suits and get down TO
solid work for the Potomac river asSocia-
ton. AS they have shown in the seasons
passed, when the middle states was the
prize. They would surely favor Wash
ington.
j
citation are rather reticent just now, as
they have hardly recuperated from the
big middle states Of last September, while
President Warden OF the PotomacS would
not give any decided opinion. holding that
his organization is at present burdened
with huge debt that they must finance
before assuming any further obligations.
President Doyle of the Regatta Associa-
ton said he believed with Mr.. Mckinney
in last Sundays issue that the regatta
could be pulled Off successfully II a citi-
zens association was at the head.
MIR. Claude r. Zappone, the local MEM
Der of the executive committee Of the
National Association OF Amateur Oars
men. Is hopeful that enough civic pride
will be aroused among our people to bring
the greatest card in the aquatic world to
Washington. Il have been on the national
committee for over fifteen years and In
that time I have visited every regatta
course in North America. and 1 have
never been on one that equals our beau
tiful river. and one Of the dreams OF
my entire term OF office is to see the
regatta pulled off here, in order that the
world might see the magnif1cence OF our
course and the hospitality Of its people.
THE regatta would cost the Potomac
River Association In the neighborhood OF
81. 500. and I am confident from my asso-
citation with the past management or
recent regattas that the affair could be
financed through. If the idea Of Mr.. w. c..
Mckinney in The Sunday Star was car
red out While the Potomac River Re-
gatta Association has made success OF
all OF its regattas, 1t has done so with
out any real systematic canvass Of the
city. and the donations made have been
more by mere individuals rather than
regular work. The crowd that comes to
the national regatta Is different from any
other gathering held in any country. as
it is composed OF men Of wealth from the
sections they hail from and naturally
spend their money in a lavish way. hence
the regatta would be a big thing for our
hotels and merchants generally.
ut is two-day race meet. and in the
affair of the program alone" continued
Mr.. Zappone. Il am confident the local
committee could clear something away
and beyond $1,000. and with this much
assured they should not have much
trouble in raising the other amount If
the citizens took hold properly. The
mistakes OF the recent regatta In this one
respect alone has convinced the committee
that there is big revenue in a program
when properly handled, and with two
day circulation the returns ought to be
very gratifying.
THE meeting to determine the time
and place for the regatta is not held until
March next, but If our people want to
make a bid for the regatta they should
be up and doing. lest some other locality
gets the bulge and fixes the delegates for
Washington has a warm spot in the
hearts OF the American rowing world.
and every one wants to come to our city
to row visit the sights Of the city.
1.-The matter may come up at the next
meeting of the Potomac Boat Club con
cluded Mr.. Zappone, land If the members
agree to fight for the privilege it will be
the pleasure OF my life to espouse the
cause and fight to bring the prize to the
banks Of the Potomac"