The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-04-16
SCORES METHODS
OF PICKING CREW

IN view Of the widespread interest IN
The method OF selecting an eight-oared
crew 10 represent the United States IN
the olympic regatta 10 be held IN Eng
i@ho next summer, a letter released for
publication yesterday by J. NJ AIitche-
son. treasurer of the University OF Penn
sylVania Athletic Association. and one
OF the foremost authorities on amateur
rowing in this country. Will probably
arouse widespread interest.
The letter contains a severe criticism
Of the proposed method of ni,Ising the
American eight and draws some strik-
ing comparisons between the munner
Of selection in England and the United
States.
Mr.. Rlitcheson says. in part:
The English Way.
The method of filling the membership
Tolls Of the Leander Club gives one who
has the selecting of the Leander crew
the pick Of the very best rowing men in
all England. and while this has often
been pointed out, its fun significance
never seems 10 be quite understood over
here.
In view Of this any method of pick
Jag an eight for The Olympic races
would be most unfair 70 the prestige
Of American rowing IL it would result
In sending abroad any club or univer-
sity eight unless there could be no pos
sible question as TO the crew selected
being the fastest OF It's kind in the
country. or II it would result in the Sc
Letting OF a number OF individuals for
the crew without giving them the neces-
cary length Of time for training or prac-
tice and the proper coaching to trans
form them from eight men IN a GOAT
into an eight-Oared crew.
Trials Too Late.
These considerations make II appear
! exceedingly unfortunate that the two
. active spirits in our Olympic rowing
committee seem to be considering as a
| feasible plan the postponing OF the pick
/ ing Of our eight men until as late in
the season as the termination Of the
( New London and POughkeepsie regattas
| Dune = and %. Notwithstanding the
/ fact that the crew must row IN a race
/ 10 be held in England on July %
| such plan would mean. allowing
three days 10 assemble the men gorue-
where tsey in New York or Phiiadel-
phla), and one week on the ocean DULY
ll-ls), and two days 20 get 70 Henley
ard rerig the boat, that the men would
nave at the very most exeCtlv ten davs
/ OF rowing on this side and seven DAYS
/ at Henley. The Inevitable result would
/ be that II this eight had the misfortune
/ 70 draw Leander or the Belgians in
their first heat they would get the worst
/ kind OF beating imaginable.
Rowing Men Concerned.
This whole matter IS one about which
/ rowing men feel much concerned, and
as It is quite evident from some con
: servative articles that have already aD-
| peared in the papers that there are
many who disagree entirely with what
| are believed 10 be the views OF Mr..
/ E1lkinStou and Mr.. Curtis in the mat
/ ter, IL would. IL seems TO me. prove
/ both interesting and valuable IL some
/ one would undertake TO obtain the views
! OF several or the men most competent
/ 20 form an opinion on the subject. such
| as Messrs. Charles Courtney. Ellis
! Ward the two Ten Eycks and joseph
/ Dempsey, all OF whom have either row
I ed or had crews at Henley. and o.
I John Kennedy, OF Yale; Wray, OF Har-
| ward; Rice. Of Columbia. and OF the
I other prominent university and club
| coaches OF the country. for instance
/ Messrs. Granini. OF the y. Y. A. c., al d
I Van Nliet, OF Staten Island"