The Washington herald., 1915-11-18
By EUCENE M. FOSTER.

Al u recent meeting OF inc AIlcl
Rowing Club of Baltimore the propo-
sition of organizing another rowing
association, composed of clubs from
cities south of Philadelphia, and to be
known as the Southern Rowing Asso-
citation was discussed and delegates to
the Patapsco Navy were instructed TO
bring the matter before the naval
board. The plan as proposed would
be to hold an annual regatta at Balti-
more patterned after the American
Rowing Association, which holds its
each year.
The regatta will be what is known
as an open regatta and be held under
the sanction of the National Associa-
ton of Amateur Oarsmen. The asso-
citation would embrace clubs from
Baltimore, Washington. Richmond.
Alexandria and other cities In this VI
cinity, and to limit the contestants to
this section invitations would be sent
to clubs in these cities only. or to
such clubs as the board Of stewards
would want to attend.
Another idea of the association
would be to foster high school and
college rowing. for all rowing men
young material in developing winning
crews. Clubs in most of the cities OF
the Middle Atlantic have been making
special inducements to the school boy
to come out for the sport and splen-
did results have been obtained, as Is
shown by the large entry lists Of the
American Henley Regatta
From a local standpoint the matter
Is one well worth looking into. but
the proposition has hardly been dis
cussed enough to permit Of thorough
opinion
From q local rowing officials point Of
view the proposition would I'LL long
needed want. but some club officials dis
agree with the necessity for additional
opportunities for the clubs to compete
In regattas. One official OF a local club
states that he was OF the opinion that
the field was sufficiently covered by the
National. Peoples OF Philadelphia and
the Middle States regattas. and that any
oarsman could get all Of the competition
necessary by entering In one or two Of
these regattas.
He was of the opinion that II an oars
man competed in any Of the above re-
gattas he should feel amply repaid for
his efforts for the year. The main OBJ
lection to such IAN association seems to
be that the financial burden necessarily
shouldered by the hackers Of rowing
would be too great for them to bear II q
regatta was held In tine same city each
year and that they would lose their en-
thusiasm for the game. In that event.
instead of being benefited. rowing would
lose much of the prestige It now has.
A different view, however, is taken by
other local authorities on rowing. One
official Connected with one OF the leading
local clubs expressed as his opinion that
the more the merrier. provided II meets
with the approval OF the present rowing
association. He does not feel that the
burden Of one regatta In the same city
each season would be SO great that II
could not be borne by rowing enthusiasts.
but that with more chances to see and
compete In the sport more people would
be added to the ranks Of the followers
of the game and with them would come
additional finances
He stated that from the little he has
heard of the proposition II looks good.
but as yet he could express no definite
opinion on the question He stated that
he would take the matter up at the next
meeting Of his club. and that the aues-
ton would be gone into. but until then
he could not state what view MS cIuo
would take in the matter.
In talking with an active earsmen L
found that there is actually demand
for more regattas. This athlete voiced
the sentiment Of great number OF the
Younger rowing element. He stated that
a man begins rowing in early spring.
April or May. and continues TO train
every day until Labor Day. During that
time he only has a chance to compete
in one or two races and IL he Is unlucky
enough to lose these, he has spent his
whole summer working hard and has
nothing to show for II.
He stated that he has seen any num-
Der OF promising looking fellows come
out for the crew and anxious to row.
They would get out each evening and
learn the art OF rowing. up to the stage
where they feel like they want to get
into a race. Then they would ask when
the next regatta was coming OF and
what chance the club had of sending a
crew away. When told that he would
have a chance to row in the Peoples Re
gatta at Philadelphia on the Fourth of
July he would become very enthusiast