The New York herald., 1922-12-31
POUCHKEEPSIE RACE
BACK TO -FOUR MILES
College Rowing Stewards Re-
turn to Original Distance
for Varsity Event.
HAD TOO MANY SPURTS
Three Mile Test Declared More
Wearing-Regatta on
Either June 23 or 26.

They're going back to the four mile
grind for varsity crews at Pough-
night that at recent meeting the
board Of stewards of the Intercol-
legiate Rowing Association, headed by
Morton C. Bogue of Columbia, had
decided to abandon the three mile
route and return to the original dis
tance.
From 1895 through 1916-from the
first triumph of Columbia under DR..
Pcct through the splendid victory of
Syracuse--the college eights went four
miles on the Hudson. starting two
miles above the spider web bridge and
finishing two below it, During the
winter of 1861 the long agitation
for The reduction of the distance to
three miles came TO n head. The late
Pop Courtney of Cornell was foremost
in the ranks of those who believed
four mile races too long and too great
q. strain on college men and the stew
ards established the three mile event.
However. the race was not held that
spring. Owing to the war the regatta
of 1917 was Cancelled. No competitions
were rowed in 1918 or 1919. When the
regatta was revived n 1920 II was over
a two mile course on still water at Lake
Cayuga. In 1921 they rowed three miles
at Poughkeepsie. with the Navy show
ing the way. Last June the rowed
three miles again on the Hudson and
once more the Midshlpmen finished in
the van--though Wash ngton made the
Annapolis eight row as perhaps no
other crew ever had rowed before.
Four Miles True Test.
Now. after two trials with three mile
races the stewards have been per-
suaded by the coaches that a four mile
race is the only true test and that the
old distance was not as wearing on
the oarsmen as the shoiter route. John
Hoyle, who succeeded Courtney at Cor
nell. is a member of the four mile
school Hoyle has tried twice at three
miles and feels that the distance is too
short. Jim Rice of Columbia opposed
the shortening OF the di4tance and nat
urally is jubilant over the return TO four
miles.
In addition 10 deciding on the longer
race the stewards. we hear, have
named two tentative da tes for the re-
gatta at Poughkeepsie. Ii will be rowed
on either Saturday, June %, or Tuesday,
June 2s. The association would like to
hold the races on the first named date
so that the general public may take ad-
vantage Of the Saturday holiday and
make the trip TO Podghkeepsie. How
ever. the course on the Hudson is
tidal one. The regatta may be rowed
cnly when tidal conditions are propi-
tious and In the best interests OF the
crews II may be found necessary to walt
until the Tuesday date.
Last year the stewards lacked the full
cooperation of the railroad and the city
OF Poughkeepsie. However. there is no
such handicap at this time. There will
be an observation train on the West
Shore and Poughkeepeie will help TO
defray some of the big expense OF the
regatta and the crews Leading citi-
zens OF that city have banded them
selves together In n committee to keep
Geneva. n. Y. made a splendid offer 90
the stewards. but the regatta must be
kept as near-to New York as possible.
Princeton Remained Out.
When the stewards decided TO reduce
the distance TO three miles there was a
feeling that Harvard and Yale might
follow suit in their regatta on the
Thames The reduction also was a
gesture In the direction OF Princeton.
The rowiAg officials at Nassau had de-
clafed time and again that they would
not allow their men TO row four miles.
They regarded three mile races with
greater favor. The stewards wanted
Princeton at Poughkeepsle and made II
three miles. But Princeton did not meet
this move with an entry. The Tigers
are supposed to be opposed TO rowing
on any course except that Of one OF the
competing colleges.
With Harvard and Yale rowing the
only four mile race in America and
Princeton showing no inclination TO
join the company on the Hudson-and
coaches protesting that the three mile
race was series of wearing spurts
which were more likely to hurt the
oarsmen than a four mile grind-the
officials OF the Intercollegiate Rowing
Association decided 10 come back to
four miles.
The stewards have not yet received
definite word as to whether the Navy
will return to the Hudson. Some OF the
officers at Annapolis seem 10 favor stay
ing away from the Hudson for a year.
Only Bollos OF the 1922 crew Is back at
the academy. and a new eight must be
built by young Glendon, who has taken
his fathers place as head coach. Cor
nell, Columbia. Pennsylvania and syria
cuse. az members OF the association, are
certain TO row The winner OF the Pa
cific coast championship also is quite
certain 20 be seen again on the Hudson
No final decision has been made as
TO the program for the regatta. Last
spring n race for $50 pound crews was
scheduled. but at the eleventh hour only
Pennsylvania was left In II and II was
cancelled. With four miles again the
distance the varsity eights OF 1929 will
Oo after tho record of q r1fntftoQ "a i-S