Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-26
OLYMPIC CREW WILL
BECOLLECE OARSMEN
President PiIkington Says That
It Will Be Selected From
the Pougi1keepsie and
New London Fights.

ing letter from Mr.. James fl-kinSlon'
president of the National Association OF
Amateur Oarsmen, in relation to the
plans of the Olympic committee for Sc
ecting a crew to represent America next
July in the Olympian regatta in Eng
land.
President Pilkington pays his compl-
ments to The Star for the interest 1t mas
taken in the matter, and says that the
members of the committee were sorry
they could not adopt the plan as out
lined in The Star of picking representa-
tive oarsmen from the cities of WASH
ington, New York, Boston and Philadei-
phia, for although some of the cities,
notably Washington, could muster up
oarsrnen that would pass muster in Eng
land, it would be hard to get the requisite
men from the other cities.
1T is the intention of the American
committed" says President Pilnington.
ito send to England a thoroughly repre-
sentative American crew, irrespective OF
the influence that may be brought for
ward to obtain a seat in the boat for
any particular oarsman.
For the first time in the history of
rowing, American oarsmen will have an
opportunity to meet crews of all nation
alities in competition, for in addition to
the English entries. crews will be on hand
representing France, Germany. Canada.
Belgium, Holland and Australia and the
members of our committee feel that with
proper method of selection America can
send crew that can win. Crews have
hitherto gone to the Henley and the
Worlds Fair regatta at Paris In 1eOO, but
these were club auatrs. and no SERIOUS e.
fort has heretofore been made to get a
thoroughly representative crew.
"Of course says President Pilkington,
the rules are not as satisfactory as the
American committee would Wish, Dut
they are considerably more liberal than
those adopted by the Henley stewards. L.
is felt that as the regatta is held In Eng
land. the British rowing authorities are
perfectly justified in framing their own
rules, as France did in 1850 and America
in 1904. when the regattas We're held in
Paris and st. Louis respectively. The
principal feature as it concerns America
is that the British Olympic committee has
consented to allow the expenses of the
foreign crews to be paid by governments
or clubs. which is decided concession
from the Henley rules.
From the College Fights.
"All entries from this county must be
made through the American committee.
and nc individual entries will be received,
and this will enGJle the committee to Sc
lect only the best oarsmen to form the
crew. Instead of combining the members
of the crew to oarsmen belonging to row
ing clubs, we have decided, after going
over the ground in every conceivable
way, to select the crew from the best of
our college world 1t is within the range
of probabilities that one or more anna
teur oarsmen from a National Association
club will be selected. but the majority of
the crew will come from the varsity
crews at Peughkeepsie and New London
next June. The committees reason for
this is that the collegians are in perfect
condition after six months hard training
and fit for The trip and race.
while these Elen will not all row the
same stroke. the difference will be so
trif1ing that a few weeks together will
bring the crew to a uniform stroke and
swing. The sole idea is to secure the man
VINO have the power to push the shell
through the water. Style will be sacri-
feed to secure effectiveness. The coaches
Of the various colleges will be appealed to
to furnish the committee with one or more
of the best men In their crews. while
Mr. Curtis and myself will be constantly
at the headquarters of the college crews
and will make our selections from the
candidates.
1T is the purpose of our committee to
select thirteen OarSmen and a coXSWa1n.
and these will come from a field of TWEEN
ty-seven picked oarsmen. the majority, of
course, from among collegans; but no
first-clasS rowing club man Will be iS-
nored. provided he or his club desires him
to have a show at the competition. The
final nomination Of the crew must be re-
ceived by the British Olympic Council in
London not later than July 15 so it is
the purpose of the American committee to
make its final selection that day and cable
the nomination.
THE American committee will investi
gate the amateur status of each appli-
can't and will have to vouch for the
standing of the crew in Its entirety be-
for the British association; hence great
care Will be taken to have an absolutely
clean record for all participants"
The English Rule.
Some question has arisen, says Presi-
dent Pilkington, of the wording of the
English definition Of an amateur oars
man. qualified to race at Henley or the
Olympic SO the amended rule as issued
by the English Amateur Rowing Associa-
ton for 1908 is worth publishing. in order
that all desiring to go afteS seat in the
American boat may understand. The rule
follows:
mo person shall be considered an anna
teur orasman. Sculler or coXSwain-
"(a) Who has ever rowed or steered in
any race for stake, money or entrance
fee.
"(b) Who has ever knowingly rowed or
Steered with or against professional for
a prize.
"(c) Who has ever taught. pursued or
assisted in the practice Of athletic exer-
cises Of any kind for profit.
"(d) Who has ever been employed in or
about boats or in manual labor for money