The Washington times., 1920-08-09

The first attack took place on
Thursday. May 6, the Navy oarsmen
being booked to row against Columbia
on the following Saturday. Ptomaine
poisioning and the deliberate admin
istration of some drug in the food
given the men at the training table
were suggested, and precautions were
taken to avoid a recurrence.
The oarsmen affected, practically
every member of the squad, were
given counteractives, and were able to
row on Saturday. Columbia being de-
feated handily.
On the following Thursday, two
days before the race against Syracuse,
there was repetition of the trouble,
the Midshipmen oarsmen being affect
ed in such a way that they were
greatly weakened.
Through prompt treatment, nearly
all of the oarsmen were put in shape
to get in the race against Syracuse,
Jordan, No. 3, being the exception, and
his place had to be filled by a substi-
tute-
ALL MEN AFFECTED.
All of the crew men were affected
more or less, however, and this was
the only race lost by the Academy's
first eight during the season. Syracuse
crossing the line less than second
ahead.
Many of those in touch with the sit
uation were strongly inclined to be-
lieve that some one who expected to
put money on the races had pro
cured the administration of some
drug by bribing an attendant to put
1t in the food served at the training
table OF course, at no time was II
thought that anyone connected with
the Navy crews opponents would
stoop to such a thing.
The most, serious phase of the
whole matter was the natural effect
upon the oarsmen of the suspicion
that they were being druggsd by
someone who was able to operate in
their own dining room and escape
detection.
The Academy crew was to engage
in the American Henley on May %,
with the chance of turning the tables
on Syracuse, and then to row on Lake
Quinsigamopd for the right to repre-
sent the United States in the Olym-
pics at Antwerp.
1t was an opportunity such as no
Navy crew had ever had, and II was
serious matter that the oarsmen
should be in danger of being weak
ened or incapacitated for these con-
tests.
Immediately after the second Incl
dent, that just before the Syracuse
| race, special investigators and
watchers had been secured to look
| into the matter and prevent further
occurrences of the kind, and an expert
dietician secured.
TROUBLE LOCATED.
The latter, after most careful in
vestigation, became convinced that
| which had been served at the train
ing table just before the oarsmen be-
came sick on both occasions; namely,
carrots, which had been kept too
long, with cream sauce.
The particular combination, in the
| opinion of the expert was capable Of
causing the trouble, and actually
did so. While the facts of this matt ar
were not known outside sof rowing
circles, there were reports of all kinds
around the Academy, and much ex-
citement was caused by them.
No statement would be made about
the matter at the time by the Academy
athletic authorities, as they did not
wish to create the impression that
| they were making excuses for the de-
feat Of the Navy crew by Syracuse.
However. there was extreme feeling
over the matter, and for a time the
work of the crew was greatly ham
over the fact that there Is now every
reason TO believe that no attempt
was made TO drug the Naval oarsmen-