The Washington herald., 1919-05-25
Any Potomac entries,

Another event that looms as a
bright spot in a season of rare
promise is that planned by the Po-
tomac Boat Club for July in cele-
bration OF its fiftieth anniversary.
In announcing the celebration. Pres
ident John Nolan, of the Potomacs.
promises a program that will be
fitting to the prominence OF the
event in the history of the club.
A committee has been appointed
to devise ways and means o. prop
erly observing the anniversary and
already a number of interesting
schemes have been suggested. The
committee has as its chairman. r. ].
Larner and includes James Abbott.
f. c. Cole. Z. r. Gasch. W. NJ. Nc
Kinney and w. f. II. Merritt, men
who always have worked untIringly
in the interest of the club.
Potomac ranks with the leading
boat clubs of the United States and
an event such as the cne cont,ln-
plated should be not only OF local
but also of national interest No
doubt il will attract many leading
officials Of the rowing wrrlj to this
city.
The rowing world suffered
severe blow in the death OF Claude
r. Zappone, former president o. the
Potomac Club. who perhaps did
more to keep the game alive in ihis
section of the country than any
other individual The name Zap
pone was familiar wherever row inS
had gained a foothold. Seldom Was
move made that he was not con-
suited Gnd many are his coutri hu-
tions to recognized features Of wa
ter sports.
Washington oaIsmen have always
appreciated his efforts. and now that
he is no longer with them. they VIII
realize more and more what an in,-
portant part he played in promCt-
ing various interests OF the sport.
Mr.. Zappone probably was better
Informed on rowing in gene-al than
any man this side of New York. and
his wise counsel carried the local
end through many a crisis.
Potomac Boat Club will not forget
the man who has been a veritable pill
lar In its support. Today an engross-
ed set OF resolutions. adopted at a
meeting held shortly after his de-
mise, adorns a prominent position IN
the clubhouse. Hundreds of letters
of coincidence from prominent indi-
viduals and clubs throughout the
country have been received. And
some day In the near future a picture
of the dean Of rowing In Washing
ton will be unveiled.
Potomac hopes to grow into one of
the greatest Of Americas rowing
clubs. But even when IL shall have
reached its zenith, the following is
going to continue to give credit 10
Claude Zappone, whose efforts were
responsible in so great a measure for
successes that forced recognition IN
the frst fifty years Of the clubs his
tory.
One hundred and fifty-one bona fde
members OF the Potomac Club were in
the service and OF these. three made
the supreme sacrifice. Lieut.. Thomas
Farnsworth was killed in France
while battling three German planes
thousands Of feet over the lines.
Lieut.. J. II. Bebout was killed In ac-
tion while leading his men into a
German machine gun nest Carl
Weber. died In a hospital In France.
A committee composed Of Lieut.
Ashford. A. b Baker. and Med.
kintz has been named TO provide a
suitable memorial for these men and
to honor all who were In active serv-
ice. II Is expected to make a report
at a meeting of the club in the near
future.