New-York tribune., 1922-09-20
5urgess Fights
4 Losing Battle
For Mayflower
rgues Six Hours in Behalf
of American Entry, but
Fails 10 Convince Trus-
tees Craft Is Eligible
= ait for More Evidence
3ecision Hinges ON the Dis
tinction Between Salt
and Fresh Fishermen
Bv Frederick B. Edwards

halifax. n. S, Sept. 1e.--The bat
Of the Mayhower passed through its
st phase to-day. but it was a no
ocision affair. With his precious
ans under his arm, W. Startling Bur
So, the May @ower's designer. walked
to the Halifax Board OF Trade rooms
I'D contended for six hours for the
ceptance by the trustees of the in
national fshermen's trophy of the
Iayfower's entry for the big race.
ne trustees were not convinced. Their
armit Mr. Burgess TO produce fur
1er evidence of the Maydower's
igibility.
It is losing battle that the plucky
esigner of the fastest boat in the
oston-GIoucester fishing fleets is
ghtiue. He is bucking an ingrown
rejudice and set of rules which are
ubiect TO various interpretations,
est Of them in opposition TO the
american vessel. There is something
o be said for the Halifax side of the
rgument, but not very much.
Fine Distinction Drawn
The question of the Mayfower's
igibility turns in its final analysis
ot upon whether the boat is a fisher
an, but upon whether she is a type
fisherman which fishes out of Nova
cotian ports to the Banks for salt
sh. The distinction between fresh
shing and salt fishing, which is not
learly defined in the deed of gift, is
be issue that may keen the Mavf0wer
out Of the race for the Halifax Her
Id" cup.
Members of the trustee board re-
used fatty to make any comment upon
ne situation as it developed since Mr..
Burgess's arrival. After three-hour
onference in the morning and a sec
nd one during the afternoon Chair
nan Silver issued this extremely non
ommittal statement:
"The trustees of The Halifax Her
ld's' international fisherman's trophy
rad an interview to-day with NJ Star
ing Burgess, designer of the schooner
Mayhower. Mr.. Burgess presented
plans of the schooner and explained
why he and the owners of the May
flower considered her eligible to COM
pete in the international race. The
various points presented were careful
ly recorded and questions were asked by
he chairman and other members of
the board. Mr. Burgess requested the
opportunity of filing with the trus-
tees further data bearing on the ques-
tion, and when they are received the
trustees will carefully weigh all the
evidence and file their decision with
the committee at Gloucester, at whose
request the interview with Mr. Bur
CESS was held. Until the decision is
made and reported to the Gloucester
committee no information will be vol
Hnteered either by Mr.. Burgess or the
chairman Of the committee or any oi
the trustees, as all realize the impor
tance of confning reports to oficia
etatements."
Case Considered Hopeless
So much for to-day's procedure
Having been pledged to silence, Mr.
Burgess Of course refuses to comment
further upon the progress which he
may think he has made in to-days in
terviews. it may be taken as the true
reflection Of the general and expert
opinion around Halifax, however, that
Mr.. Burgess has made no progress, anc
viii make none; that the Mayhowel
is barred by reason of her lines anc
rig and general conditioning from ever
competing for this international trophy
unless the deed of gift is so amended
as clearly to admit the modern type
Of fresh-fshing vessel to the contest
It is only fair to Nova Scotiar
sportsmen, and to Halifax folk partic
ularly, TO say that the prevalent senti
ment on the street seems to be il
favor of letting down all bars ant
racing the best boat, regardless Of
technicalities, The Halifax people are
jealous OF their reputation as goot
i L
Mayhower and the Bluenose go to it
bat the trustees, who are charged will
the Interpretation of the deed of gift
naturally are not to be influenced from
what thev conceive to be their duty
and unoficially it may be accep pied AZ