New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-10
NOT ON WANE.
Keen Interest in Sport Grows
Goodwin and Durbor0W Star.
NEED FOR A GOOD GAME
Water Polo Too Rough for Out
door Work, Other Contests
Not Taken Seriously.

The keen interest shown by the public
In swimming and kindred water sports
during the outdoor season Of 1912 and the
marked improvement OF watermen as a
class gave proof Of the rapidly increes-
ing popularity Of aquatics In this coun-
try. Larger and better fields reported at
the important meets than ever before,
and all these drew bigger and more en-
thusiastic crowds. There was evidence
on every side that the good work OF
scholastic and collegiate authorities In
promoting so useful a branch of athletics
Is bringing excellent results.
Two men stood out strikingly from the
rest during the summer. and by brilliant
performances established themselves
clearly above all rivals-Bud Goodwin, Of
the New York Athletic Club, and Charles
Durborow, of the Philadelphia Swimming
Club. Goodwin placed to his credit ave
championship titles in swimming, and
would probably have made clean sweep
Of both metropolitan and national con-
tests had not conflicting dates prevented
his starting In the quarter-mile and ten
mile races. AS It was. he twice broke the
one-mile record-frst straightaway In
open water, next over a ninety-yard
course In an outdoor poland there is
no doubt that his new figures will receive
official recognition. Goodwin was not
beaten once and his great work Is the
more remarkable that he has been sue
cessful competitor for full fifteen years.
winning his first race early In 1898 and
his first national championship in 1901.
Quite as notable, II not more 30. were
the feats Of endurance accomplished by
Durborow. Indeed. his crossing OF Della
ware Bay last July. when he covered
course measuring nineteen and one-sixth
miles on the government charts. but over
forty-two miles as the strong tides ana
currents forced him TO swim. stamps him
one Of the most wonderful watermen the
world has e&er produced. Durborow took
fourteen hours and fifteen minutes 20 com
plete the trip, and used the trudgeon
stroke all the way, only changing for
short spell now and then to rest his
muscles. No man has been known before
TO hold this speedy stroke for such
length Of time, and experts are unani-
nous in declaring that the Philadelphia
will have no difficulty in swimming the
Channel. a task he intends to undertake
next year.
Most gratifying was the improvement
OF the younger element In all branches OF
aquatics. In high fancy diving a new
champion was crowned. ]. +. Dunn, OF
Yale and the New York Athletic Club,
capturing the national title after a contest
so close with his clubmate s. b. Downes
that the Judges verdict was tie. While
neither man showed the form Of George
Gaidzick the former holder. who was alb
sent, both exhibited some excellent dives,
and the youth OF Downes. at least. makes
him likely candidate for supreme hon.
ors In the meets to come.
One regrettable feature OF water sports
forcibly brought out by the seasons tour
naments was the lack of competitive
game that could be played adequately
outdoors. American water polo, pushball
and water baseball were tried with very
Indifferent results. The first named Is
entirely too strenuous to risk In the open
and is really dangerous. for a disabled
player might easily drown before assist
ance could be given him II he sank.
PuShDa!l ana DdSeDaII, on tne otneT Manu.
are pleasant pastimes and amusing TO
the spectator but IT would be hard to
arouse real interest over them. The play
ers themselves do not take those games
seriously. looking upon them more as q
lark.
There is nothing that a crowd enjoys
better than to see two good teams OPP
posed TO each other in worthy battle
OF skill and Workmanship. and many
more persons would follow aquatics were
q good game adopted and matches held at
every meet. 1t seems a great pity that
the authorities do not make stronger
effort to promote soccer water polo. 1t is
really an ideal type OF game for open
water But every innovation needs sup
port and encouragement to prosper. and
these the governing body has failed to
give. One does not have to look far to
understand why the swimmers have OF
late pronounced SO unanimously and
forcefully In favor of self-governrhent
The sport is badly in want Of some active
and enthusiastic men at the helm The
tt,,,a &c ripa raforpn