Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-08-22
BOATH0UsE GOSSIP.

The impression is gaining ground daily
that the promoters OF the Potomac river
regatta have made rather bad blunder
In changing the regular regatta course
from the harboT of Georgetown down to
the inaccessible one for Dede strians along
side CT the driveway of Potomac Park.
The up-river course, which skirts along
from the famous Three Sisters down
to tie foot OF 31st street, affords thou
sands the chance to gather and see the
races within easy reach OF the car Hires
of the city The wharves, the Aqueduct
bridge, under which the contestants get
In their hest work; the numerous club
houses. private and public, and the Nir-
giEia shore afford vantage spots for the
whole population Of tie city to gather
In comfort and peace to view the regatta,
the best testimony OF which IS the numer-
Gus regattas held on Its course since 1895.
Down at Potomac Park the situation is
different for oveThangin trees destroy
the view OF the races at the most interest
ing part, the last quarter and half: it is
two miles from the Pennsylvania avenue
cars. and double fare if one wants 10
come out on the Mount Vernon road. and
these drawbacks operate against draw
ing spectators to the place to see what
really promises to be a first-class regatta.
The finish Is two and One-half miles from
the Potomac boathouse. so crews sta
toned there. either locally or guests, will
have huge task before them, especially,
which is most likely, il some Of the men
take part In one or more of the races, as
they all have to return to the clubhouse
to see that the boat is properly rugged
each time.
X
The great argument advanced by those
;,, 20. h., =, 90.
the motor boats could not use the upper
river course for their trials, tia; there
would not be room enough to start and
make the bend at Analostan Island III
safety. but this is answered by the fact
that all the really speedy boats OF the
country think nothing Of speeding in the
narrow and crooked Harlem river OF New
York, without any mishaps, and it would
be easy to arrange lanes at the turns
OF both .Analcstan Island and Easby's
point 10 prevent any crowdil3 81 those
places. Then, too, it is a good argument
that the motor boat races should be
started to the cas-: OF the Long bridge, fer
at this point alone IS the danger spot.
If. for instance, FIVE or SIX fast racing
models Should start in the t" enty
race, o.. six or seven in the cruiser class,
the small. draw space IN this bridge will
make ii a difficult and extremely dan
.erous place for them all To rus.! peii-
nell through for the lead. for every one
knows that for the first mile in such races
tie boats are ell clustered very close to-
ge,her and few Of the helmsmea win give
all inch to An adversary.
The general consensus Of opinion, eG-
cept among q few interested parties, is
that the rowing regatta should be on the
established course 81 tie up-rieer. while
the motor boat races should take course
cas-: OF tic Long bridge.
j. \
The prospects fer a grand regatta are
growing daily. and President Bennett OF
the joint regatta and carnival commit
tee is convinced that the citizens of
Washington are going to have the great
est spectacle ever seen on any body OF
water In America. At the recent national
regatta at Detroit. the first night of the
affair, a fete and illuminated carnival
were held on the river In the vicinity oil
the Detroit noathouse on Belle Isle. and
officers of the Potomac river regatta. who
were present state tTat the siSht
was an inspiring one, there being over
5000 decorated aud illuminated crafts or
tile river. President Benefits plan will
eclipse this. and ~ith a reproduction of
..Old King Cole within the tidal la sin
the famed Iardi Ores OF New Orleans
will sink into ins.snscance. Every az
tive a1emb srs of the various clubs which
his boat the prettiest ard most elaborate.
and WHEN il Is automatically stated that
there are jtS; canoes in the District
one can form an idea what a slSi, they
will create in the basin when perform
ing evolutjons and drills before the throne
OF "Old King Cole
That big regatta is on tap is best
evidenced at the Analostan Boat Club, al
Organization that for several years has
oeeu on thc uuic:Is shelf, but this year.
under the railyinS Cry of a. active and
6p-to-date oarsman IS captain, II Is
rcai,r making The hest showing on the
river eriipsing its rivals farther up
stream 70 q fragile. capt. Don ;. Ed
monds apparently seems TO be the most
ideal man the Analcstans have had at the
head of their float officers in years, as