Evening star., 1929-10-06

In the still gray Of early morning. Her
owner We are not acquainted with, he
visits her so seldom, though his name
is known to us. In three years she
has never been seen to be underway
except for the towing in for the Win
ter and the Spring overhaul trip to the
boatyard. And through the season the
change In this crafts personality Is
visible, much as the expressions Of an
excellent actor change IN portraytng
different characters and emotions. In
a rather ashamed appearance as though
she feels the inappropriateness of her
last years garb, her sides are stained
and brasses tarnished. Then later.
after her paint has been renewed and
all scars of the face-lifting vanished.
the expression becomes one Of pride
and jauntiness, young lady waiting
the arrival of very desirable boy
friend. A bit later In the season the
expression changes again and becomes
somewhat disappointed and petulant,
the owner has not been round and
her challenges to wind and spray have
passed unnoticed. And as the late
Autumn comes. bringing a promise of
canvas covers and long repose in de-
serted wharveS. there Is a hint of sad
ness about her; undoubtedly she Is
hurt and displeased at the continued
inattention Of her owner. She loses
all her dash and snap. Instead Of the
spirited tugging and Straining in Spring
breezes there is but sullen surge as
the Fall gales tear down channel
showering the surface with leaves from
the Sympathetically dropping willows of
the park.
We watch interestedly for her possible
sale to q new owner, one whose interest
will result in attentions and close asso-
citation with her. What then will be her
expression?
VISITING at Fqoodgate last week was
v the Alma Of Atlantic City, a trim
two-cabin, V-botom job by q well
known builder. Aboard were Mr.. and
Mrs. Ezra Bell, owners, and Mr.. and
Mrs. Roy Munion, guests, Earl S. john
son doing the Skippering. They ex-
perienced quite q bit Of trouble in locat-
ing a place to tie up for their stay and
were moved to caustic comment regard
ing the poor condition of our water front
and lack Of facilities for visiting craft.
1t may be remarked that few visitors by
water to Washington fail in the matter
of caustic comment on this same sub
ject. They are only enabled to tie up
at Floodgate by the courtesy of the
operators in foregoing regular rental on
one of the available berths in keeping
it open for such visiting craft as may
require 1t, and are to be commended for
this service. The Alma departed We'd
nesday for home waters. We hope they
will not be discouraged to visit us again.
WE are convinced that If the energies
w and efforts displayed in arranging
the regatta were directed in drive for
water front improvement. much might be
accomplished, such efforts being assured
of the earnest cooperation and support
of the local boating fraternity and more
In line with their needs and desires. If
thousands OF dollars may be collected
for the purpose Of financing q manu-
facturers' show. double the amount
should be easily available for local i'm
provement and betterment. The rumor-
ed project Of boat show, II carried out,
will present the curious circumstance Of
attempted stimulation of trade that
needs no stimulus, sales resistance along
boating lines being 90 per cent lack Of
facilities and places for the appropriate
storage of boats. not a matter of dis
inclination or dislike for the water.
Save the shows and regattas until that
time when the condition Of the water
front Is such that it will justify them
without the support of the boat owner
no projects of this variety may hope to
succeed. So far this support has been
withheld.