New-York tribune., 1922-09-20

authoritative that they believe the
Mayhower falls short of interpreting
the spirit of the deed, because her
lines are much finer than the lines OF
the average salt fisherman.
Not Salt Boat, Says Donor
81 believe the Mayhower to be the
finest fresh fishing vessel on the At
lantic seaboard." w. S. Dennis. the
donor of the cup. said to-day "But
she is not salt fisherman of the type
which Nova Scotia chiefly needs and
generally uses. Our friends in the
United States must not lose sight OF
the fact that this race was primarily
designed to foster the Nova Scotia
fishing industry and to develop the
type of vessel which would be of most
benefit to the Nova Scotia fisherman
II is fact, taking the broad viewpoint
that no Nova Scotia fisherman, were
he to plan boat, would puiiu such q
boat as the Mayfower. AS a salt fish
erman, the plain fact is that the May
flower doesn't pay and couldn't pay her
way. 1t is really for this reason that
the trustees oppose the Mayfower's IS
entry
The difficulty which the Gloucester
men see in the event that this inter
pretation of eligibility is TO be per-
mltted TO stand as precedent for the
future conduct of the race is that all
the newer type of Gloucester boats will
be automatically barred, and the race
must sacrifice its international status
The Gloucester and Boston boats which
are being built to-day are all designed
Tor fresh fishing business, the Glouces-
ter men say, and if only the salt fishing
type of schooner is to be permitted to
enter, Gloucester will have no candi-
dates TO offer.
Staying Power Chief Issue
The chief distinction is one Of ca
indefinite period, or throughout the
entire fishing season. This ordeal is
required of the Nova Scotia boats.
which go to the Banks and stay there
for months, fishing and sailing down
their catch until they are packed to
the limits of their carrying capacity,
or until the break of the season drives
the boats to land.
On the other hand, the New England
ers now fish for fresh fish almost ex-
clusively, making quick runs to the
Banks and back with as large a catch
as they can accomplish within the al
lotted time. Speed is prime consid-
Grafton with these Gloucester fresh
fishing vessels; stanchness, and the
ability to ride out all weathers the
most desired factors in Nova Scotian.
This is correct Interpretation oe
the official attitude, and, in view Of the
strength with which these views are
held, Mr.. Burgess's task is regarded as
hopeless.
One thing that puzzles the Halifax
people is the apparent change of heart
which Gloucester has undergone since
last fall. In 1921 Gloucester was the
loudest to protest against the May
flowers eligibility. This year Glouces-
ter, 1T seems, is prepared to accept the
boat. The Canadians cannot understand
why this sudden reversal of opinion
should appear,
Ownership Also Discussed
The question of ownership is one
which is freely discussed unofficially,
but which the trustees carefully avoid.
The fishing race fans up here will tell
anybody freely shat the Mayfower is
owned by a bunch Of Boston million
aires, and the charge is partly true,
since only q very small share in the
Mayflower actually is held by interests
directly connected with fishing. On the
other hand, the officials connected with
the race up here arc shy of this owner
ship point, and with good reason. The
board of trustees, which has the final
say as to the eligibility of the con-
tenders, is made up almost exclusively
of men who hold shares in the Blue
nose, and w. J. Roue, who designed her,
is one of those who are in a position to
say what boat shall and what boat shall
not race against her. In these circum-
stances it is apparent that tho Halifax
committee is in an equally delicate
position with the owners Of the May
flower
1t appears now that there is no ques-
tion that the American elimination
trials will be held. regardless Of wheth-
er the Mayfower is admitted.
Captain Ben Pine, of Gloucester.
who was enc of the crew of
the Elsie in last years race
| and held a share in the ill-fated
schooner Puritan. is in Halifax, on his
way to Cape Breton. Captain Pine told
me to-day that Gloucester would enter
half dozen boats besides the May
flower and that he considered that, bar
ring the Mayfower, the Henry Ford
had n first-class chance of being the
American standard bearer. The Ford
he says is a similar type of boat to
the Bluenose and would give the Nova
Scotian a close race.