The Washington times., 1929-06-24
CALIFORNIA,
COLUMBIA
CHOICE
By Davis J. Walsh


POUGHKEEPSIE, N. Y,
June 24.-In the; still, small
hours when the moon is high
and magic rules the world, an
unseen sorcerer waved his
wand last night and in the
light Of a new day this sedate,
little up-river community was
revealed as a big league town.
Life pulsed in its streets after
the manner of another Broadway
at high tide. The river was a pan
Drama of ships that rode at anchor.
The majestic hills were alive.
Poughkeepsie, in brief, had opened
it's eyes this morning upon the
greatest extravaganza the sport OF
rowing has ever known-the four
mile varsity race for the champion
ship of collegiate America and Of
the world at large.
Nine crews, the largest field in
history, were to go to the starting
line at Bartlett's cove late this after
noon. Two of them-Calif rnia,
winner of the Olympic and world
championship last year, and Column
bia, unbeaten to date-were reputed
to be among the best combinations
ever assembled. They were in
stalled weeks ago as the outstand-
ing favorites, but so strong were
the remaining seven Washington,
Wisconsin. Cornell, Syracuse, Penn
sylvania, the Navy and Massachu-
setts Tech-that the possibilities of
..k, Vali
So, apparently. was the race
crowd, exceeding by generous
thousands all records for at
tendance here.
At least $4,000 visitors had taken i
possession OF the place this morn
ing and, with each passing hour
came more to join them. 1t was
believed that the almost incredible
number of 100 900 persons might be
present by. the time the big J ice
goes on. This will be about Z
o'clocks Eastern daylight time.
As a. prelude to the big number
of the day, two races will be held
during the afternoon, one OF them
a freshman event at two miles, and
the other junior varsity race at
three miles Unusually large fields
also will go to the post In these
races. the former having seven
crew entry and the latter six.
California, with two exceptions, Is
the same eye-filling eight that
swept the world before it in 1928.
1t has beaten very good Wash.
ington crew this season and, al.
though some coast sharps were
inclined to see 1t in slump a few
weeks ago. the college world as
gembled here isn't betting 1t that
way.
Columbia, unbeaten in the East
this year and regarded by the East
as unbeatable, has received support
equal to that accorded California.
The race, in fact, has resolved
itself into n geographic one.
The first two are coached by
Ky Ebright, Of the Western
school, and Dick GlendOn, whose
upbringing and environment
have been wholly Of the East.
The next two Washington and
Cornell, are tutored respectively by
Ulbrickson, of the West, and Wray,
consin got Cailow and Murphy, their
coaches, from Washington, the
breeding ground Of western choaches.
The Navy, Syracuse and M. !. T.
were turned out strictly by the East |
as represented by the elder Glendon,
Ten Eyck and Haines.
In consequence, the affair will |
furnish an Illuminating test of the
two systems for the first time. And |
If it doesn't furnish the thrill of a |
lifetime, there Is nothing in this
world ever will |
Columbia, Navy, California and |
Cornell were on the river last even
ing putting on the finishing touches |
fer the alash. The Syracuse, NJ. |. T., |
Washington, Wisconsin and Penn
sylvania orsmen all spent the after
noon taking short strolls back into |
the hills. returning to their camps
early to get good night of rest.