New-York tribune., 1920-03-15
II. S. Oarsr1len
Want 2 Crews
In Each Event
Cable to Belgians Also
States No Entry Blanks
Have Been Received
By A. c. Cavagnaro

m. American Olympic Committee
appealed yesterday to the Belgian
n,rmpic Committee to have the rule
n.rmitting the entry of only one crew
!, zach Of the rowing races at Antwerp
mi. summer amended so that each
nation represented may be allowed to
,om;nste two teams. This declsior
was reached after fve-hour confer
snce At the New York Athletic Club.
The members, eager to get rapid
renlv. voted to send the following
esblegram to. the Belgian officials
america desires to enter in every
,owinr event. Seasonal and collegiate
Conditions make it impossible to con-
duet the elimination contests between
colleges and clubs. We therefore
strongly urge that two entries pc,
nation be permitted. Immediate action
necessary. Otherwise all American
representation in rowing seriously i'm
perilled."
That the rowing situation would be a
stumbling block for the executive com
mittee was evidenced when members
Of the National Association of ANA
teur Oarsmen pointed out their diff
dculties in getting together strong
SQUAD for the Olympic contests. AL
though nothing definite has been de-
cided by this association, as it holds
its annual meeting Saturday evening,
it was stated their troubles would be
obvisted II the Belgians permit an
entry Of two teams.
Matthew P. Halpin, New York A. c..
who on Saturday was chosen manager
Of the Olympic team, explained why,
IN his opinion, the Belgian committee 9
should permit two entries in each row.
ing race
"Rowing begins later in this city than
abroad because Of the weather condi
tions," he said. "The colleges wind
up their schedules in June, and the
men usually scatter around the coun-
try and difficulty is bound to ensue in
getting them together for try-outs
after their college season has ended.
"CiuDs, OF course. arrange their sea-
son to mees the contingencies. CON
Quoting race until the end of autumn.
II is Therefore vitality necessary that
America be represented by two crews
IN each event if this country is to
exhibit its best oarsmen against the
stars from the European countries"
As another remarked, the difference
IN the distances rowed by college and
club crews also makes two national
entries desirable. 1t was pointed out
tfat colleges and universities usually
row four miles in eight-oared she'll
races: while clubmen limit the distance
usually to one and thee quarter miles.
1t also developed that the Ameri. ,sri.
can committee has been hampered IN
ia work through the failure of the
Belgian body TO send entry blanks to
this country. In some instances the
rules stipulate that the number cf
ENTREES from each nation for the
various events must be made known
thirty days before each contest.
Inc names Of the represen tatives
starting must also be in the hands of
ihe Belgian committee fifteen DAYS bc-
tore each contest. Conditions in other
athletic fields will make it difficult for
INC American committee to conclude
elimination tests in time to send the
names OF its representatives abroad.
Ice hockey, which opens the pro-
gram Of Olympic competitions, begins
on April 20, to continue for ten davs.
ne entry for this contest must be
known by next Friday. This being i'm
poss's.e without entry blanks. the
committee was obliged to send the fol-
lowing cablegram: "No entry blanks
received. America enters hockey
,eam. VIII cable names of competitors
before April g."
with the preliminary work of the
committee. completed it was decided
not to call another meeting until a
ruhng on matters proposed has been
received. An American film company
VIII VI De given the right to take pictures
OF the American team in action in
antwerp for exhibition in this coun