THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT

The special articles in today's CRIMSON by coaches of the Harvard, Yale and Princeton crews deserve the attention of all rowing enthusiasts. The length of our big boat races is based upon the long-established tradition that the longer race is the better test of skill and stamina. Back in the fifties when Harvard crews used barges on the Charles, the course was almost invariably three or four miles long. The introduction of the less cumbersome shell only tended to confirm the adoption of a protracted contest as the culminating event of the year. Although it is generally conceded that the short race puts a more severe strain upon the crew, there has been enough discussion in its favor to warrant serious consideration of the question at periodic intervals.

Coach Spaeth has commented upon the expense and time necessary to develop a crew that can maintain the staying power annually exhibited at New London. Ever since English methods were first applied at Harvard, rigorous training has been a permanent feature in rowing. There was a time, indeed, when the squad trained throughout the year, working on the machines and running five or six miles on alternate days in the winter time. It undoubtedly requires time and equipment to teach men to row correctly. But to relax emphasis upon form and the finer points of the sport would call forth a storm of protest from three generations of Harvard oarsmen and from innumerable college men who believe in doing things well or not at all.