New-York tribune., 1918-02-17
Big Regatta Brings Debate
In the Rowing Colleges
Columbia Opposes AlDandon-
ment of Poughkeepsie
Course-CornelI Favors
Change
By Edward r. Bushnell

The suggestion made recently =
these columns that the Poughkeen.;.
Regatta be abandoned pernaanent,v
and some other regatta in which fl.
competing universities might row .,
home waters and within term-tine sinh
stituted, has aroused an unusuall,
warm discussion.
Columbia University authorities az.
out with statement that thew wan,
to stick to the Poughkeepsie race. mar
ticularly after conditions become nor.
NAL. Cornell has seized upon the sue.
gestion to hope that the cornuetin-
crews Will row on Lake Cavnos
Princeton, it is understood, would very
much like to have this or some simil.-
regatta rowed on Lake Carnegie. wb;la
Pennsylvania would like to see n.
race on the Schuylkill River, provided
the Poughkeepsie course is given up.
Suggestion Quoted Frequently
This suggestion has been quoted so
widely that several institutions hava
got the idea that it was proposed
either by Pennsylvania or Cornell Az
matter of fact, no university faith
cred the idea. 1t was suggested mere
ly as reform, which the writer be-
lieved to be essential to the salvation
of rowing.
The idea which some of the advocates
Of the Poughkeepsie course have ths.
interest in college rowing would rapidly
decline if the Poughkeepsie regatta
were abandoned is, OF course, entirely
unfounded. The point which should be
kept in mind is that the Poughkeepsie
regatta is an extravaganza. Because Of
the rough water and the tide II is i'm
possible to hold it without allowing the
competing crews from ten days to TWO
weeks IN which TO train over the course
1t is also impossible TO hold the regatta
within term time, a factor which adds
several thousand dollars TO the expense
of rowing at all the universities in
volved.
The twin evils Of its great expense
and holding the regatta after the close
Of the college year, when it is virtually
impossible for the students 30 see their
crews compete, could be eliminated by
abandoning the Poughkeepsie regatta
and either honding it on
some smooth Or centrally located body
of water, which would not require any
preliminary. practice, or by letting the
regatta rotate over the home courses OF
the various universities.
Cornell Has Splendid Course
Cornell, for example, has 8 splendid
course on Lake Cayuga; so has Penn
sylyania in the Schuylkin River, ard
likewise Princeton in Lake Carnegie.
Cornell came TO the rescue Of the asso-
citation few years ago with the offg
of its course when the stewards feand
they would not be able to row on tha
Hudson. Princeton, TO be sure, is not
a member of the intercollegiate Row.
ing Association, but there is no doubt
that if the regatta were held and man
aged along the lines suggested the
Tigers would be represented every year
with a crew.
Moreover, it is very rare that salts
factory conditions are found at Pough-
keepsie. In selecting the date the
stewards cannot consult their own
wishes. They have to suit themselves
to the tide and the Willingness of the
railroad to run excursions. Very fre-
quently the regatta has to be postponed
one or two days on account of unfa-
vorable conditions of wind ard tide.
And about half the time the important
varsity eight-oared event is rowed in
the gathering darkness, so that it is
virtually impossible for the spectators
on the observation train 10 distin-
gulsh the different crews.
What could be more ridiculous than
to oppose reform that would accom-
plish so many desirable things? First
of all, it would cut the cost Of rowing
practically in two, would permit the
regatta to rotate between the compel
ing colleges and could Always be held
within term-time All these reforms
would undoubtedly result in greatly
increased interest in college rowing.
make it available for greater number
of undergra duates. Finally, tie reform
would be worth while if it did nothing
more than tc bring Princeton into the
association.
AS conditions now stand the Tigers
maintain rowing, but they do not COM
pete either at Poughkeepsie OF New
London because they cannot accept the
conditions under which these regattas
are rowed. 1t would seem TO be the
part of wisdom for universities which
are now debating this issue 10 realize
that the war demands the elimination
of unnecessary expenses and radical
change in the manner Of conducting all
intercollegiate sports. The permanent
abandonment of the Poughkeepsie re-
gatta, with its long train OF unneces,,
sary expenses, its inaceessiblity ana
its railroad sideshow feature. should Dc
made without delay.