Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-08-08
BoATH0USE GOSSIP.

In regard to the approaching regatta in
September next which the members of
the Potomac River Association are fos-
tering considerable objection is being
raised over the fact that the promoters
are making 1t a somewhat closed affair
by combining it to Maryland, Virginia and
the District of Columbia. The greater
ajority of the oarsmen of the city are
more concerned about attracting visitors
from New York, Brooklyn, Boston and
Philadelphia, where all the star aquatic
scullers and crews abound. than keeping
it 'close corporation within the shadow
by the oarsmen that they are out for the
sport that follows the clean game of
rowing and that there Is more credit
going down to defeat from a good crew
of national reputation IMAM by winning
from crews of second rate or mediocre
ability. They want it open to all and all
to be urged to participate, just as they
have done in the past at all of the re-
gattas held here on the Potomac since
rowing was started afresh in 1902, and to
back it up they cite the fact that ii seems
foolish to go abroad and try and induce
fast motor boats to participate and then
to close the rowing to Maryland, Virginia
and the District. The argument advanced
by those favoring the closed is that 1t
being late and after the regular boating
season is over. it will be difficult to get
crews to remain in training. especially in
New York and Philadelphia. where the
lighthouses are SO far from the living dis
tricts of the two places. But If this is
true in New York and Philadelphia, the
opens answer. why then try to get up a
regatta, for the same conditions exist in
Baltimore and Washington. but a true
devotee of rowing, they claim, never stops
until ice forms and prevents them go
ing out on the water. The open regatta
In 1902 was held the 18th Of October and
there were twenty some entries from out
side of Washington, and with virtually
month earlier. the "openites' hold that a
brilliant galaxy of aquatic stars can be
gathered here for the rich and valuable
prizes that will be offered. The great ma
jority want 1t an open and free-for-all,
with the best crews competing and win
ming, as the case may be.
Saturday next the Potomacs will send
their junior eight-oared crew down to
Richmond to meet the Virginia Boat Club
in match race to take place on the
waters of the historic James river me
Potbmacs are not banking much on the
success Of the present junior crew for
the reason that 1t was hastily gotten up
In order to give the Virginians a race,
as the oarsnen OF Richmond were anx-
ious for a representative crew OF the
POtomacS to come down there 10 meet
them. and offering good Inducements, the
crew was made up for the race. Coach
Dempsey has been working hard with the
members Of the crew, two Of which were
absolutely green men at the business
three weeks ago, as Messrs. Clagett and
Allen took the places of Messrs. Pole
and Babcock, who gave up rowing. I'm
der the work of Dempsey they have i'm
proved wonderfully, and while not con-
fident of doing anything startling in the
way of victory. they will give the crew
of Virginia, who have been coached by
Hecox Of this city. a hard race. The crew
as 1t will row at Richmond will consist
of Butler. strokes Coultry. Z: Evans. +;
Spransy, ); Brney, 4: c agett J; Keyhoe.
.: Allen, 1: Randolph, coxswain, though
1t is not unlikely that Roy Carr may find
a place in the crew before it goes down
to Richmond. The crew as a whole is not
up to the usual weight; that is. 1t is
much lighter one in every respect from
the crews of the past years. but Coach
Dempsey says what 1t lacks In weight
It will make up In grit and speed be-
fore next Saturday 1t is a match race
and hence does not affect the standing
Of the oarsmen, so, win or lose. they
Will, both be eligible to start In the jun
ior race held here In September The
course to be rowed Is a short one. about
seyen-eighths Of a mile. and is adjacent
to the famous Mayo Island In the James
river, while the prizes consist of beau
tiful trophy known as the Berry cup. and
must be won three times to become the
property OF the club SO winning. and gold
medals to each member of the crew first
across the goal 1t is expected that the