Evening star., 1909-04-25
TIGERS ROWING
SITUATION A PUZZLE
Princeton's 0arsmen Have a
Grievance Against Their
Faculty.
Nv Edward r. Bushnell.

princeton's oarsmen deservedly nave
grievance against their faculty. After en-
couraring the undergraduates to organize
crevs accepting the munificence or An
drew Carnegie, who gave them an arti-
6cial lake. and finally getting the alumni
,nterested in the sport. the students are
told that they cannot hold dual races or
nartic;pate in the intercollegiate re-
yattas. This ultimatum, coming right
on ton Of the announcement that Yaies
second eight would meet the Tiger var
.itv IN the water next month. has been
a source of deep disappointment to
Princeton men and of surprise to the out
side college world.
. As far as the faculty decision ad-
oits of explanations it seems that these
educators have realized what has been
no,nted out repeatedly in these columns
that Princetons student body Is totally
unable to support a crew, no matter
whether considered from the financial or
the athletic standpoint The view OF the
faculty is that the Tigers should conduct
rowing as Oxford and Cambridge DO or
not at all. In other words. they explici'iy
dissent from the methods pursued al all
other American universities.
This decision brings new Crisis TO
Princeton's rowing affairs. Either the
Tigers must give up this form OF aquahcs
Altogether or they must be content 10
conduct rowing strictly as an lnterciass
sport Neither plan Is likely TO De Pal-
atable to the Princeton students. Per-
hans II the students or alumni can per-
suade the faculty to change its decision
intercollegiate rowing may be estaolisn-
ed. but this is extremely doubtful at THIS
II is dificult to say which prospect
brought the more influence to bear on the
Tiger faculty, the inability to raise FUNDS
to support rowing financially or to make
a showing in aquatics commensurate
with Princeton's standing in the educa-
tional world. An examination of the imam
cial statistics of rowing at other Ameri-
can universities must have appalled, tne
Princeton faculty. At Cornell. Yale, Har-
ward, Pennsylvania. Syracuse and Colum-
bia rowing costs annually anywhere from
$40 600 to $40 900. These figures in them
selves are not out OF proportion to the
cost Of running other sports. but the fact
that rowing yields absolutely no receipts
situation.
To Reform Athletics.
II has been suggested that Princeton's
decision Is the forerunner OF an attempt
on the part OF the Orange and Black fac
ulty to effect a big reform In Its athletic
management. Several enthusiastic ccrre-
spondents have ventured the opinion that
Princeton is about to set the pace for the
whole college world. But II Princeton
thinks this. II is not likely that any other
institution will follow the example of the
New Jersey university. As a matter Of
fact all the other institutions seem thor
ouRhly satisfied with the status of rowing
and are not considering any reforms or
thinking OF emulating the examples of
oxford and Cambridge.
IL all the facts were known. there Is no
doubt that Princeton's physical inability
TO furnish men for crews. and yet support
the other established sports, Is the real
reason for the faculty ultimatum. 1t
should always be borne in mind that
Princeton's student body hovers around
the 1 800 mark and that 1t has remained
there for a decade. AS far as attendance
Is concerned, Princeton has been standing
still. while the other big universities have
practically doubled their student bodies.
h In totally impossible for any athlete to
the spring OF the year. and the average
man has trouble In keeping up his studies
AZ he tries for two varsity teams in a
wear though one be in the fall and the
other In the spring With student body
hardly half that OF Yale. Hafvard. Penn
syIyania ard Cornell. the Tigers chief
rivals in college athletics. 1t Is evident
that Princeton must either have a student
body immensely superior. man for man.
10 those Of other universities or else re-
6uce the number OF her intercollegiate
athletic activities. The latter seems to be
the case at Princeton and furnishes the
most plausible explanation Of the fac
ulty's action. And 1t will probably save
Princeton some athletic humiliation In the
end.
Just now the Tigers are concentrating