Evening journal., 1918-09-30
TROUBLE IN Wake
OF TROPHY RACE
Protest of Pickaninny Vic
tory and Resignation Of
Commodore Follows
UNFAIRNESS
is ALLEGED

The victory OF the Plckanlnny last
Saturday in the dupont trophy race,
over 1eld including a number OF the
fastest boats on the Delaware River,
has been the leading topic for discussion
among mOtorboatmen, and has lea 70
a number OF unexpected consequences
during the past week.
The chief Of these Is the formulation
OF a protest against the Plckaninny's
assuming possession OF the trophy for
the next year. While the grounds OF
the protest have not been completely re-
yealed, it is understood TO deal with un-
fairness In running the race.
The protest Is being formally made by
Bruno ArlshOff, who owns Dora II, OF
the Riverside Yacht Club, the boat
which finished second TO the Plokanln-
ny last Saturday and went down 10 de-
feat by margin Of Just minutes, 40
seconds, In corrected time for the
course OF 5i nautical miles.
The complete grounds, as set forth In
the pr0tet, Will not be known until
late this week, after the meeting OF the
special committee OF the Riverside
Yacht Club appointed to consider It.
The Dora II was the winner Of the du-
Pont trophy last year and consequently
this years race was held under the au-
spices OF the Riverside Yacht Club over
the down river course.
IL Is with considerable interest that
the yachtsmen await the action OF the
Riverside committee. When the Pioka-
ninny, owned jointly by Commodore J.
V. Bell and Howard Taylor OF the
Camden MotOrbOat Club triumphed last
week, II was a matter Of surprise 10
all, for beforehand It had been general
ly felt that the Dora II would have il
all her own way. To overthrow the
Pickaninny's conquest would me. an
other surprise. But the protest. TAX
ing on the nature Of joint action by
the owners Of all the other racing boats
last Saturday, brings such a decision
within the realm OF the possible.
Another consequence OF the dupont
race result, IL Is believed, Is the reslg-
nation OF Commodore Louis J. SOmmer,
Jr., OF the Riverside Yacht Club This
action was announced at the special
meeting Of the club at Essington last
Thursday. Commodore SOmmer has just
led the club through a rather success
ful wartime season. The Riverside Club
In fact, was the most active on the
river and his resignation at this time
may have been participated by dlssatls-
faction over the dupont race, some
members feel. Reasons for his action
have not yet been made public.
DR.. q. A. Church, the vice-cOmmOdOre
OF the club, VIII assume the duties OF
commodore, 10 Ill in the uneXpired
term OF Commodore SOmmer, until the
regular annual meeting OF the club on
the last Thursday IN November, when |
the new commodore will be elected. Il /
was considered unnecessary 10 elect a /
commodore for the short time remain
ing before the regular election.
The race last Saturday, involving the /
leading racing boats on the river, repre-
senting a number Of different clubs, as
sumed the nature OF a seasons title l
race. It helped flll the void caused by 1
the cancellation OF the Delaware River
cruiser championship and Of ''rhe Rec
ord" trophy race. But besides that, u
showed that, even though there may
be only very small class Of boats en-
tered in a race-six In this case-it IS /
still possible for a splendid race 10 be
run. The cold weather during a period
Of several days before the race dam
pened the spirits OF number Of boats
from up the river, including the Hat
Tie Bert and Mascot, which were IN
ierstoOd to have been entered by Harry
10 uphold the colors Of the
Farragut Sportsmens Association, and
by Commodore Charles Hleber, 10 rep
resent the Columbia Yacht Club, re-
spectlvely. These two boats and some
more Riverside boats had been expect
ed to race for the trophy.