New-York tribune., 1908-02-18
BLOW FOR NAVY CREW
OCT OF BIG REG4TT4 A
Academy Authorities Hare Refused
the Necessary Permission.

the Necessary PermlssiOn-
The Naval Academy viii not be permitted to
enter = cre@v in the intercollegiate regatta at
Poughkeepsie this year unless the authorities al
the academy can be persuaded TO recede from
the position they have taken the question. It
was believed that the authorities would not op-
pose the Navy being represented al Poughkeepsie
this year, but she desired permission has been
refused
The stand of the academy authorities comes
2 distinct surprise. and will be,a great dis
appointment 10 the college rowing world The
President and the Secretary Of the Navy are in
favor i IS said. Of the n1idshipnnen being rep
resented At PouEhkeepsie. and for this reason
tha uidship11en have felt confident that they
would have another opportunity 10 show their
rivals what they could DO on the water.
When the Navy Athletic Association took up
TIE question with the academy authorities they
anticipated no difficulty in getting their consent
n accept the invitation extended 70 them by the
stewards of the Intercollegiate Rowing Associa-
tioI. but they were met with prompt and en-
rha-ic refusal
When the news leaked out every member Of
ths brigade Of ridshiprnen expressed bitter dis
appointment Members OF last years crew and
APPLICANTS fo- It This year were particularly
oovncas-- At the Naval Academy the one ques-
5icn e burning interest Is: What can he done
10 get permission 10 race at Poughkeepsie this
y~a-2" The midshipnen and the athletic associ-
s1ion can do nothing The proper authorities
have asked for permission TO accept the stew
ards challenge. That permission has been re
fused them by their superiorS. the academy
authorities, and their decision Is final Accord
ing 70 naval regulations II would be z serious
breach Of discipline for the nlidshipmen 70 at
tempt 70 get the consent Of the President or Of
-he Secretary OF the Na--v
President Roosevelt expressed himself IN favor
C the rare last year and Secretary Netca1f Of
the navy. whose son while il the academy was
prominent II athletics. granted the necessary
permission when appealed 10 year ago. II was
mainly through the approval Of both the Presi-
dent and the Secretary Of the Navy that for the
frs tine in the history OF the Naval Academy
e naval crew was sent TO Poughkeepsie-
TIE main hope of the midshipmen now is that
ths attention II President Roosevelt or the Sec
Tstary Of the Navy. or both may he called to the
matter and that they viii approve Of the navy
sanding 2 crew 10 PoUghkeepsie and competing
there with Cornell Wisconsin. Columbia, the
University of Pennsylvania. Syracuse and
Georgetown for the intercollegiate rowing cham
rionshp- The midshipmen feel that unless
eftre- T these takes the question up their cause
Is hopeless
TIE Invitation or the stewards must be ac-
l.
eft. whatever IS done must be done quickly.
Crless the academy authorities change their po-
sitioa. Or unless either the President or the Sec
rers-y of the Navy iuterfe-es. the Navy Athletic
Association win have TO decline.
The prospects for a winning crew are especially
bright - Annapolis this wear. and this fact only
sd6s tr The disappointment the midshipmen feel
- the prospect OF not being allowed 70 race at
Po-EnkeeQsie- Speaking Of the crew and its
chances. ore ~ The nidshipuen said recently:
''Crev prospects - the academy this year were
never brighter. and the r7idshipmen stand ready
n hack their crew against the best in The coun-
Last vezr ~ Poughkeepsie the n7iddies' eight
oa-ed r-ev finished third in the intercollegiate
fo1r--rie race. and that despite the fact that It
7as 81 f-zt fou--rlile race 2 Navy crew ever
rzre5-the course at the Naval Academy is .
17a--1l-s oue-and also despite the fact that it
vas unfortunate enough 70 draw the outside
course. which. under the conditions that day.
vas slight hsudicar. Considering tho circum-
stances The rowing public looked on the effort #
-H= N(a-v sr q good one. although the Tidship-
--an and the officers attached To- The academy
fa1- thai the crew had failed 70 row UP 70 ex-
rec-sri@ns.
This yez- the crew. having had the experience
G cre frr1~-r7jIe race, was determined to GO n
pc-.g-kaer~fe 70 rvfn. Ever since the defeat last
-~2- IRE crew candidates have been working
srsa6i1y 70 20 - Poughkeepsie IN such condition
shat they che Navy sheID would be first over
the line They feel that II iz only right that
t-.v shol.I5 get another chance 10 Try
--arn a. stroke. is the only member Of last
wears eight whose loss VIII he felt although
FTttcaard IS also ont. Captain Rockwell has six
seasoned veterans in the beat. and the candi-
dates and new material are OF such character
s-d quality that GIendou- who Is again coach
-Ez the Navy OF the water. is confident that the
oish- Vii be the best the academy has ever
turned out
= the nidshipmen do not race 81 Pough-
keepsie IN June II viii not DC, because OF any
tesr % anothe- defeat buc because they ind It
impossible 70 get permission In the opinion q
some rowing sxne-1s the Navy would have
erriable chance Of winning this year.