New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-08-03
FOR HUDSON
MIDDTES SEEK LEAVE.
Fresh Cam paigm Opens 5cith Coming
of Nesc Superintendent.
~ r.lesrsrh . Th. Trleun.. J

AnnaunliS Aug. 2-Ntth me appointment u ~
tain Rouker l. s. n. 10 the place or superih-
,er5ant ~ the United states Naval Academy, 10
succeed Captain Charles J. Badger. l. = N tne
officers and ridshipmen interested in athletics ana
particularly those who are especially interested IN
rowing have revived their hopes OF getting perms-
sion from the Navy Department TO send a ere" 10
represent tbs navy at the intercollegiate regatta
q Poughkeepsie-
Officers interested in rowing At the academy had
been eagerly waiting for the announcement OF
Captain Badgers successor long before the depart
rnent made il As long the former officer held
The chief command At Annapolis there was praoti-
ceIIv no hone Of the Navy being represented in
rowing on the Hudson. because Captain Badger
had taken strong stand in opposition TO such
representation and in such matters for the Secre-
farv Of the Navy 70 override the recommendations
IF the superintendent Of the academy would nave
been violation ~ navy precedent.
However with the coming Of Captain Bovker and
= new regime ~ Annapolis the new superintendent
ran make any recommendations 70 the department
which he may deem advisable without there being
any question Of naval etiquette involved either in
the making Of the application or the departments
subsequent action thereon.
The Navy rowing authorities were quick 70 realize
the new condition of affairs and, n seems certain
fully as prompt 10 take action They have ins'i-
t,lted what may he called vigorous campaign "on
the quiet TO induce the superintendent TO
recommend 70 the Navy Department that the mid
shiprnen be allowed 70 row Poughkeepsie- Act
ing n Is said upon the advice Of some older offi-
GERS the campaign Is being carried on slowly az
those interested in II fear the result OF TOO has'N
action and are marshalling carefully their fnU
strength and arranging all their arguments before
taking any decisive action. When everything is in
eadiness the question viii he brought 70 an issue,
hut not before
In talking Of the question Navy man who "a
Interested IN rowing said: We have strong hopes
Of persuading Captain Rovyker 70 recommend
e &c 3raIx-
possible that the midshipmen may he represented
IN the intercollegiate regatta next year. Cap
tain Badger objected. you know. to our sending
a crew 70 the Hudson principally on the ground
that n took up too much Of their time and kept
them away from their duties too long. Captain
BoWker may hold such views, end there are
unquestionably a large number OF officers out in
the service who disagreed with Captain Badger on
this question Should this be the case. the new
superintendent would in all probability be willing
10 recommend 10 the department that the middies
he allowed 10 row al Poughkeepsie. and II he
did. 81 Is extremely probable that the department
would approve HE recommendation.
''But suppose he takes the opposite view?
When the intercollegiate regatta is held the mid
shipmen are their summer cruise. which be
gins about June I. Well. our oarsmen could keep
IN training up 20 that time. The work they have
10 do on the cruise Will Of itself keep them IN
good condition Besides. they Will have opportuni-
ties IN plenty 20 do lot OF cutter rowing. which
would think. he SUFFICIENT TO keep them on edge
and al the same time keep them accustomed 10
each Others rowing and rowing together despite
the vast difference between cutter and shell row
ing Then, say a week ten days before the
race they could go TO Poughkeepsie, fsmiliariZe
themselves with the and put on the finish
Ing touches OF course, this would perhaps handi-
cap the crew slightly. but It would he one way Of
meeting possible objections.
"or else the crew could do as they ala the only
wear they rowed AT Poughkeepsie and give up
two weeks OF their September leave TO make up
for the time they lost from their duties. This
would certainly he tough on the men. but
believe every one Of them can be counted TO
make the sacrifice willingly n they ara called
upon 10 do SO. Certainly this alternative propo-
sition should meet Captain Badgers main objec-
ton
L hope however. that the middies will be al
lowed 10 row at Poughkeepsie without having 10
make any such sacrifices or under the conditions
which prevailed in 1907. The Navy Departments
policy has been 70 encourage athletics among the
rnidshipnnen. The young officers after they
graduated and 60 ont On the service like
wise encouraged 10 organize. coach and play on
various athletic teams Of the ships upon which
they are stationed They do valuable work IN
this respect. for the enlisted men take great in
terest in their teams and crews, and the various
contests IN which they engage. II gives them
something - think sbout. something 70 interest
themselves IN. and goes far. toward keeping them
out OF trouble"
The only appearance ~ Navv crew the
third 20 Cornell and Columbia in a great race
The Navy had q good tvo-rnile crew. but II
vowed 100 short stroke for four-rnile contest.