The Rock Island Argus and daily union., 1922-06-22
FN G
F7S4S 80 IA FOR the
N4GAMES SAKE
sAEsS N~aaENce eERRV

New Yondon, June 22.-Whether
Yale or Harvard wins the 54th an
nual regatta between crews of the
Crimson and the Blue, which will
be roWed upstream over the four
mile course on the Thames river
at New London late Friday after
noon, will be immaterial, so far as
the general rowing situation is con-
cerned. No championship is at
stake. For that matter, champion
ships seldom are at stake at New
London. Such luster as is shed
over an aquatic event through the
meeting of acknowledged leaders
in the art of driving an eight
Dared shell through water in a
minimum of time may be looked
for at Pbughkeepsie, where on June
26 the outstanding college crews of
the country, namely: the Navy. Cor
nell and the University of Wash
ington, will strive for premier hon
Ors and at the same time keep an
eye upon contenders of lesser re-
pute. viz: Columbia, Syracuse and
Pennsylvania.
But on the Thames the lure that
fills this charming old whaling
town with as brilliant a throng as
is called out by whatever event
sporting or otherwise, that is held
/ in this land, is the poetry of tradi-
! ton, the zest of ancient rivalry. the
golden tune of time. Gray-haired
men who have rowed for Yale and
Harvard are here. or are enroute
here. to see their grandsons strive
for the supremacy of the Crimson
or the Blue. Fathers are here to
make certain that their sons &C
quit them elves as sturdily on the
stoTied stream IS they themselves
did in the mellow SOS. And while
mothers are here. too, even grand
mothers. they are pretty we'll lost
in the surginr waves of commence
ment girls from Cambridge and
New Haven in all the glory OF
summer costume and in all their
immenOrial charm of countenance
and demeanor.
The city is brave with banners.
The hotels are already filed and
the usual recourse has been taken
Il
which the thrifty New London
householde-s are always prepared
to plunge at this season of the
year. In the river flowing serenely
blue between shores which rise
with n greenness and a clearness
so typical OF these lovable Con-.
necticut hills. hills upon which
sleeping orchards and glowing pas
ture lands are separated by stone
walls, lies an ever-gathering argo-
sy OF the largest and costliest steam
yachts upon the American register.
And among them flocks and covies
of smaller craft, all waiting that
hour Friday morning when the
garner master gives the word that
will open the drawbridge and per-
NIT the craft to take their positions
along the course.
Five miles up the river from the
city the Yale oarsmen are resting
at Gales ferry. while half a mile
below at Red Top the sweep-swing-
ers of Harvard await the call to
action. They are picturesque littIe>i
these hamlets in which
the rival oarsmen are sequestered. !
Started nearly a hundred years ago
by the whaling captains who had
made their fortunes and wished to |
end their days in the peace and !
quiet of rural environments, they |
retain all the old favor. Somehow |
the youthful exuberance of the
squads OF young athletes who de-
scend upon these little backwater /
each June seems out
Of place. However, they are soon
gone and then the oh. places fall