Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-17
BOATHoUsE GOSSIP.

There is no doubt there is strong SEN
timent paramount here in Washington
over the prospects of the national regat-
ia coming here next summer, and the
article In last Sundays Star helped along
the matter considerably. AS is well
known, the national regatta is the red
letter event of aquatics in North America,
and wherever there is a rowing club its
chief end is to send a crew to the nation
al, no matter where it is pulled off. But
the national regatta, unlike all other
cegattas, is a money out and nothing
back event. as all the debts are paid by
the locality where held, and if there is
any surplus it goes into the treasury of the
executive committee; hence there is no
way the locals can make any money to
offset the expense. 1t is on the cards that
all the prizes and the expense of the entire
executive committee, including railroad
and hotel bills, are a part of the cost that
has to be shouldered and it would really
take an outlay of $1,000 to pull the regatta
off successfully. Still, even with this out
lay, the regatta is worth the while, and
all the trouble that may come through the
efforts of the local committee to finance
it to a success.
The best evidence that Washington
should have the regatta is the voice of
our citizens, who take 4 pride in the de-
velopment of rowing and our city as the
mecca Of all America for the sport. Presi
dent Taft was quoted last week as stand
ing ready to do all in his power to ad-
vance the interest of the Potomac river.
President Mcfarland Of the board Of
District Commissioners has by pen and
act shown his zeal in promoting aquatics
here, as has also his distinguished col
league. Commissioner Henry l.. West.
Mr.. John r. Mclean by his generous
gifts to Georgetown's crew and the late
regatta has exhibited generosity others
might we'll follow. while numerous others
have helped along on all occasions
In speaking to the subject, Mr.. William
G.. Mckinney, assistant chief of the bureau
of engraving and printing, said: There
is nothing in aquatic annals equal to the
annual regatta of the National Associa-
ton, and ! am extremely glad to notice
by The Star that the clubs are seriously
inclined toward making a bid for the
date. / speak advisedly; the middle
states and the peoples regatta are huge
affairs I'm every respect. and are great
gatherings of oarsmen. but the National
is away and far beyond all such In the
point of brilliancy. / have rowed in five
national reSattas. two of which were held
here on the Potomac river. and for the
good of the game l hope to see many
more hereabouts. and I convinced
that the measure could he financed
through il the clubs would go outside
their organizations and appoint d general
cONlnlItte6 VI Ou1 ISaulHS tltlLGi.S W lOOA
after the financial details, scheme that
Is worked in every town where the re-
gatta Is annually held
Mr.. Terrence German, the celebrated
stroke oar of the Beaverwick crew of
1876 which won the worlds championship
at the American centennial, defeating
twenty-three crews from every section
England, France, Ireland, Germany, Can
ada and all parts of our country. believes
that Washington is the enc place for all
national regattas 1t Is the ideal spot
has the best course in the world and
ample conveniences to accommodate
crowds, as was shown at the last big
middle states If the national comes here
now under present conditions, / am sure
the officers Of the association will always
want to return here to the capital to