New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-07-19

In the gray of dawn, as The Tribune
went TO press. this morning Americas
greatest eXponents of aquatic endur-
ance we're gathering az the Battery TO
compete in the most gruelling race
ever held for amateurs a twenty-five
mile contest. from the Battery TO
Sandy Hook. which will award national
laurels in long distance swimming to
the victor.
Thirty-siX men. representing the
pick Of many districts, were expected
to toe the mark. and from the number
reporting 10 the referee. Otto Wahle'
chairman Of the swimming committee
Of the Amateur Athletic Union, nearly
one hour before the allotted time for
the start it was evident that few would
be missing.
The event should be memorable
one. Claimants to the championship
title have been many Of late. but the
question Of supremacy has remained
unsettled Samuel Richards. Of Bos-
ton: Charles Durborow. of Philadel-
phia; RAYMOND Boyle, of Pittsburgh;
Captain W. A. Surber, OF New York,
and others had performances to their
/ credit which warranted consideration,
vet there was no way of ascertalning
their respective ability, for they had
never met in actual contest
Fair Test for All.
By tonight there will be no doubt
of where honors are due. FOR the lead
inc aspirants will have tried one an
other out in fair and equal test, under
the supervision Of competent and re-
liable authorities. and the best man
should win.
One Of the striking features Of the
championship event has been the cor
fdence expressed by many Of the
swimmers that they would outdo all
rivals Several Of the entrants are
snoed swimmers. and they believe tnat
tbov can cover the course fast enough
"a reach the goal in one tide, outstrip-
ming their slower opponents, while ne
out-and-out endurance swimmers man
tain that the crack milers and i've
milers will not be able 20 hold out 10
the end. so that they need not even De
considered. -.
There IS no telling, OF course. nut
swimming has made astonishing strides
in the last few years. and former stahd-
ards have been completely revolution
lied. II would really not be surprising
10 see one Of the users OF the lates'
strokes capture the title.
Particular interest will therefore at.
tach TO the work Of George Meehan' Of
Boston: Zoltan Tobias. OF New YORK.
and one or two others who have iigurc'
prominently in the championship race 3
Of the Amateur Athletic Union at the
shorter distances.
A slight international na"or is addc !
20 the Tribune Marathon swim by the
presence Of Captain Albert Reese, OF
thc American Lifesaving Society. ipr-
mcr champion Of Denmark. not long
since tho doughty Dane won ilftccn-
mile racc Off Copenhagen, in which
some Of Europc's best paddlcrs com
I pCtcu, ana IL VIII DE- interesting 10 Hot'
whether he can do as well against ine
American leaders.
An entry which has aroused comment
is that Of +. II. James, II hfty-ycar-o old
veteran. Some have wondered al one
OF his age undertaking the punishing
trip. but James carries his half-cen-
tury lightly and may be counted upon
70 make 4 good showing. Twice recent
~ he has finished second ~ the annual
thirtccn-milc Concy Island MaTnthOn,
tho last time landing soon after bud"
Goodwin. Of the New York Athletic
I Club. the present One-milc record hold
B or and h man who has never been
beaten NJ distances beyond five miles.
,hoak viii Tell Tale.
Tho leaders ~ to.dAy's race are cX-
oecicd 20 pase Nortons Point around
I o'clock ard 70 reach the ncighborhood
Of Rome Shoal' between 10 and II.
From there on the great test Of the
event will take place. for II j. probable
( ,hat even the swiftcst will begin 10 feel
/ ,be fr,t low ~ the opposing flood tide
! and have ~ 6ght the remaining two
topilDued on page :. column