Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-06-01

New Haven. Conn, June l.-The
varsity eight-oared crew OF Yale ana
Harvard Universities will meet on the
Housatonic river near here late today
in the fifty first dual regatta between
these famous collegiate rivals since the
institution of the initial race in 1882
Never, however In the long history OF
this aquatic classic, which corresponds
in many respects TO the Oxford cam
bridge boat races Of England, has the
regatta been held under similar con-
ditions.
In a wartime atmosphere and with
the contest shorn OF ali "a rs sax.
glaInor the sixteen oarsmen will propei
the long racing shells over new course
which has never heretofore been the
scene OF a varsity boat race big or
little. In place Of the four mile Cruel
ling struggle, which has been staged
auuuaiiy upoii tt!!:s -r::2 mes river at New
London for many years to the accom-
paniment of thousands OF cheering
spectators and the screaming sirens OF
hundreds OF palatial steam yachts, the
sweep swingers Will drive their crafts
thru two miles Of stln river water which
has never been graced by racing eigh's
II the past
The conditions governing the race
and the crews will be unlike those OF
former wears as the courses are dis
similar. No weeks Of intensive tram
ing under highly paid professional
coaches at expensive and extensive
crew quarters precede the regatta, Win
its round OF long rows several times
q day under the eyes of the coaches,
following in speedy launches. Instead
the training has become, TO a great ex-
tent, an ayccatfon with only such time
as the oarsmen could conveniently
spare from their scholastic duties, de-
voted 10 learning the art OF sweep
swinging as taught by men to whom
rowing IS a matter OF secondary I'M
portance.
War Does Reformers' Work.
While the regatta Will undoubtedly be
witnessed by several thousands OF
spectators. providing the weather con-
ditions are favorable, there is no HkeI-
hood oe the cutpnuring Of the gaily
dressed ttrongs. which sweeping down
upon New London in other seasons
made the boat race one Of the feature
spectaeles OF the college year.
There are no signs today OF rne color
vendors and the ticket spectators who
had grown to be an integral part OF ali
great American VARSITY sport contests
In the past two decades. To all in
tents and purposes the war has accom-
plished in a triie more than twelve
months what the ardent refor-ners o.
~ 7rrahll IN hv.n q
about in some years.
Few visitors are IN evidence here ana
only an occasional pennant of Yale blue
or Harvard crimson is seen IN the
mass Of American flags and national
ernblems which fly from public and
private buildings turnout the CITY.
Those who viii watch the race VIII
trave by motor. trolley. train. late n
the afternoon TO a point above DERBY
or the Fousatontc, some eight or ten
miles from the center OF New Haven.
and from paints Of vantage along high
banks Of the river view the battling
| oarsrnen as they sweep by TO victory
| and defeat
Yale Crews Test Course.
While the Housatontc course has
never been used for an inter-varsity
race Il has been tested by Yale crews
and found to be generally satisfactory
The river is not particularly wide or
deep but affords ample space for two
crews over considerable stretches. A
portion Of the FIVE mile course near
Derby Will be used for tcday's events
Here the river averages about a quar-
| ter Of a mile in width and close TO ten
| feet in depth High banks protect the
river, giving a calm surface for racing
and at the same time providing ex-
ceilent observation points for the
! spectators.
A railroad parallels the course on
one side and trolley line on the other
afording means for observation trains
! to follow the crew when conditions war
rant these moving grandetands.
/ In some respects the race VIII re-
| semble those Of the earlier days Of the
| dual regattas Of Harvard and Yale
The first contest between the oarsmen
OF these two universities was two
mile contest rowed on Lake Winnipe'
saukee in 1852 and was won by Har-
ward. In 1855 and 1859 the crews rowed
on the Connecticut river using three
mile course consisting Of mile and
q half stretch.