Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-05-19
BOAT CLUB GOSSIP.

the Middle States Rowing Association,
wherein it awarded Washington the place
for the 1912 regatta, have commenced to
turn in. and the almost unanimous report
is that the very best place in America
was selected.
AS stated in The Star of last Sunday,
there was quite fight made by New
York, Philadelphia and Saratoga for The
honor of holding the event, but the local
committee. headed by that hard working
veteran oarsman, Claude r. Zappone had
the plans all mapped out to a certainty.
and while the others had the noise, he
had the votes that came across all right
for Washington when the test came.
When 1t was seen that Washington was
the victor the opposition swung into line,
made the selection unanimous and
pledged itself to make the 1912 affair the
best ever.
Secretary-Treasurer David Brown. who
is in close touch with the affairs of the
Middle States Association, having direct
ed 1t for the last fifteen years, says there
is every prospect of the entry list this
year running over the century mark,
eclipsing the entry list of the Gen.
tennial regatta at Philadelphia in 1876.
which had 112 crews and scullers. That
was the first big international regatta
ever held and it brought crews from
England, Scotland, Germany. France.
Ireland. Canada and every section of
America, and while there will not be any
big crews from abroad there will be
enough from Canada and America to top
the 1876 gathering. 1t is going to sur
pass the National Of this year. because
the eastern clubs. which are the MAIN
stay of rowing in America, cannot jour-
ney out to Peoria, ILL.,, owing to lack OF
funds.
The Potomac Boat Club in assuming the
regatta has taken on a burden that is
greater than that of two years ago, when
1t pulled off the National Association OF
Amateur Oarsmen championship meeting.
which requires two days to complete.
while that of the Middle States uses
up only one day-Labor day-of each year.
The burden is greater on account of the
expense that the club will have to as
sumo, the large number OF extra medals
and club trophies being the chief item,
while there will be others, such as hous-
ing and arranging for the comfort and
care of crews. In previous years the
boathouse of the Georgetown University
Association was used. and its large and
ample boat racks gave sufficient room to
accommodate the visitors. That structure
Is now a thing of the past, having been
demolished last fall: the other clubhouses
be made for temporary quarters close by
the present structure, SO that visitors
may utilize it for locker and lavatory
purposes.
1t will thus be seen that the Potomac
Club has assumed a gigantic expense for
the regatta, free show for all the peo-
pie, but 1T Is confident the public
will come forward at the right time
and lend substantial support to the under
taking The club will hold a meeting
Wednesday evening " fch ir
expected President Warden will announce
many of the committees that will look
after the details of the regatta.
Robert E. Lee Williamson of the Ariel
Club of Baltimore was elected president
of the Middle States Association, and his
election means that the two clubs of
Baltimore will have entries in every one
of the seventeen events that will be on
the card for that day. A good many
friends of Mr.. Williamson here in Wash |
ington-while, of course, the Patapsco
Navy is unanimous-would like to see
him elected to the executive committee of
the National Association of Amateur
death of Judge Tighe of New York. Balti- |
more is the most active rowing city in
the association. and should naturally be
represented on the committee
\ -
Through the courtesy of Graduate Coach
Daley OF the University of GEORGETOWN |
number of sweep oars have been Sc |
cured by Capt. John Evans of the Poto- |
mac Club, and that officer Is now getting |
out two crews every day. The police au- |
thorities are endeavoring to locate those
twelve sweep oars that mysteriously dis |
appeared during the performance of THE |
College Hero" at the Columbia Theater |
last March, but no definite clue has been
discovered. The membership of the Poto-
macs is thoroughly inbued with the
necessity of getting out the best men for
Its crews this season, and the popular
captain. John Evans, has the name of
every available oarsrnan pledged to row
for the honor of the Red and White
during this year. Such a surprising num-
Der have responded that Pat Dempsey the
old faithful and winner-producing coach
have had since I became acquainted
with the club, away back in 1881 What
the club needs. and needs badly is a frs
class. new. up-to-date racing shell, as the
in them, are handicaps in case they have
any races in view"
=
Saturday next the crew of the Technical
High School will make entry in the re-
gatta OF, the American Henley, which is
an annual affair for the Schuylkill river
and is notable for the great number of
college crews that take part. Coach He
cox is going up against some OF the best
school teams of America-central High
of Philadelphia Cascadilla of Ithaca, n
Y. and the Worcester High School of
Massachusetts-so 1t will be seen that
Tech at the very start Is up against
the real article. The local schoolboys
while rowing fairly well. are badly boated.
but in spite of the handicap are consider
ably enthused over the situation, and that
means a strong fighting chance. The
crew has received some good points from
the Potomac during the past week, as
the two crews meet on the water by ap-
pointment and racing starts are tried for
the betterment of both. 1t is sur
prising how they keep up with the Poto-
mac on their starts and It's no fake. as
both crews work hard to accomplish each
others downfall. 1t Is the best way to
train crews.
David Brown of the Atalantas Of New
York and the efficient secretary and treas
urer of the Middle States Association Is