Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-01
TALK OF THIS CITY
FOR BIC RECATTA
Proposed to Hold the National
on the Potomac-Expense
Drawback to Local Clubs.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
NEW YORK. February 29.-The meeting
of the National Association of Amateur
Oarsmen next week promises to be a
notable one. The question of selecting
and sending an American representative
crew to England to compete in the Olym-
pic regatta and the time and place for
holding the American championship meet
ing will be discussed. For the national
regatta this year the cities of Washing
ton, u. C.. Providence, r. l.. and Saratoga
Springs, N. Y, are spoken of and each
has many hackers for the prize.
Would Like to See Regatta Here.
When Mr.. Claude A. Zappone, a mem
Der Of the executive committee Of anna
teur oarsmen.- was made aware of the
ABOVE telegram, he stated that there was
quite large number of members of the
amateur association anxious to see the
national regatta held here on the beautiful
Potopac river, stream unsurpassed any,
where In America for rowing.
personally said Mr.. Zappone, 81
would like to see the national come to
Washington. for. judging by the achieve
ments OF the Potomac River Association
IN handling affairs of such a character,
1t would surpass any aquatic gathering
ever held in America. The last national
held in this city was in 1891. seventeen
years ago. and it is surely time it was
again rowed here. 1t would cost the boat
through successfully. and 1 am confident
that such an amount could be raised by
our public-spirited citizens if a proper
local committee took it in charge. I am
now engaged in correspondence with the
leading rowing men in the north, and
dpVplOn-
ments within a week"
Mr.. John Hadley Doye, who is the presi-
dent Of the Potomac River Regatta Asso-
citation, was pleased to learn that the
Washington for the great regatta. but
declared that it was not surprising, for
the hospitality of the local clubs toward
visitors. Oarsmen and officials makes them
all anxious to come back to the banks
of the Potomac.
But to hold a national regatta con-
tinued Mr.. Doyle means downright hard
work, not yanking boats to victory on the
water but securing the funds necessary
to finance it through to a decided success.
1t is all pay out with no chance to rake in
some dollars for the local committee, as
everything in the way of entrance fees.
ETC., goes into the Golfers OF the national
association. The regatta is Il two-day
affair. attracts an immense crowd to the
city. and the people therefore realize the
profits. while the local boat clubs foot up
the loss. If there was any way of aScer-
tanning that the citizens would support
the measure there would be no doubt of
quick action by the regatta association of
this city in going after the big affair.
washington has had the national re-
gatta only twice, 1881 and 1891, and it S
a pity that our beautiful river is not used
more for this great national affair. just
as the Thames is used at Henley. but the
local people do not respond to this free
show, and experience has taught the
promoters of such undertakings the dill
Guilty of raising the funds needed to carry
them on.
1T is a national affair just as much so
as the gatherings of many of the other
national affairs for which our people put
up the money to get nothing in return.
but this is where they get the finest ath-
letic show absolutely free, the leading
oarsmen Of the world congregate. and
hence IT is wonder that money for
such a purpose is SO hard to raise.
THE Potomac River Association would
gladly stand sponsor for the araT II IL
could see its way clear, and 1t VIII be
fully discussed at the meeting this week.
continued President Doyle, but. as every
one knows. the Potomac Boat Club, with
an $4,000 outlay staring il n the face tor
it's new home. will have all it can do to
look after that and without that club s
help it would be impossible to hold such
a regatta.