^74 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
[Oct. 6, 1900. 
Itlie following: "No deck sliding seat shall be used in 
anj^ race." ^ 
Henry M. Datek. 
Toronto, Sept. \o— Editor Forest and Stream: 1 
hereby give notice that at the next Executive Committee 
meeting of the American Canoe Association I shall move 
tlie adoption of the following changes to the bi^-laws: 
That Chapter 12 be numbered 13 and that the words 
"The affirmative vote of three-fourths of all" be struck 
out and the words. "A majority vote of" substituted. 
That Chapters 13 and 14 be amended by being num- 
bered 14 and 15 respectively. 
That a new Chapter 12 be introduced, as follows: 
"Chapter 12. Order in Camp.— When a member com- 
plains to the Commodore of any member or members 
■creating a noise after ri P. M., the Commodore must in- 
\estigate the matter, and if the charge is sustained he 
must request the offending member or members to leave 
camp. The Commodore may request any member to 
leave camp if, after due consideration, he is of the 
opinion that better order can be maintained thereby." 
W. G. MacKendrick. 
New York, .Sepl. to. — Editor Forest and Stream: 
This is a copy of certain proposed changes in the racing 
regulations which I have submitted to the Regatta Com- 
mittee of the A. C. A. for their action in accordance 
with Chapter IX. of the By-Laws, and Rule XXII. of the 
Racing Regulations: 
"To the Regatta Committee of the American Canoe 
.Association. — Gentlemen; In accordance with Chapter 
IX.. Subdivision 8 of the By-Laws, and Rule XXII. of 
the Racing Regulations of the A. C. A., I hereby submit 
the following proposed changes in the racing regulations 
of the A. C. A. : 
"First. To amend Rule I. of the Racing Regulations 
by adding after the word 'Canoes' at the end of the para- 
graph entitled 'Dimensions and Limitations — Sailing,' 
the following: 'No fixed rudder projecting below a 
fair line along the keel shall be used and no drop rud- 
der shall be used that, when drawn up, projects below 
the said line.' 
"Second. To further amend Rule I. by adding to the 
above paragraph, and after the change above proposed, 
the following; 'All decked sailing canoes shall have a 
cockpit large and deep enough to sit in comfortably.' 
"Third. To further amend Rule I. by adding to the 
above paragraph, and after the change above proposed, 
the following: 'All decked sailing canoes shall carry a 
practical double blade paddle.' 
"Fourth. To further amend Rule I. by adding to the 
above paragraph, and after the change above proposed, 
the following: 'The sliding seat shall not exceed 4ft. 6in. 
in length.' 
"Fifth. To further amend Rule I. by adding to the 
above paragraph, and after the change above, proposed, 
the following: 'In all sailing and combined races, no rig 
other than a practical hoisting and lowering rig shall be 
used.' 
Sixth. To further amend Rule I. by addmg to the 
above paragraph, and after the change above proposed, 
the following: 'All open sailing canoes must have at 
each end water tight bulkheads or air tanks capable of 
sustaining the occupant above water when swamped.' " 
Frank C. Moore, A. C. A. 1342. 
New York, Sept. 14.— Editor Forest and Stream: 
Please publish the following amendment to the Constitu- 
tion of the A. C. A., as required by Article XII. In 
Article III. insert the _words "able to swim" after the 
words "eighteen years." 
Henry Smythe, A. C. A, 1308. 
Philadlephia, Sept. 10. — Editor Forest and Stream: 
I inclose for publication the following proposed amend- 
ments to the Constitution and By-Laws of the Ameri- 
ican Canoe Association. M. D. Wilt. 
CONSTITUTION. 
Article VI. Add "Section 9" as follows: "Racing 
Board. — Each division in its proper turn, at its annual 
meeting, shall elect in the same manner as its regular 
officers one member of that division, to serve on the 
Racing Board of the Association, for__a term of three 
years, or 'until his successor is elected." 
(For duties of Racing Board see Chapter 9 of By- 
Laws.) 
Article VII., Paragraph 3. Amend by leavmg out the 
words "a Regatta Committee of three members for 
the annual camp of the A. C. A." after the word "ap- 
point." 
by-laws. 
Chapter IX. Amend Paragraph 1 by adding the words 
"Racing Board and Division" between the words "Duties 
of" and "Committee" in the title, making >t read as fol- 
lows: "Duties of Racing Board and Division Regatta 
Cominittee.'" Further, amend Paragraph i by sub- 
stituting the words "Racing Board" for "Regatta Com- 
mittee" as the last words of the paragraph. 
Amend Paragraph 2 by substituting the words "plac- 
ing Board" for "Regatta Committee" wherever they 
occur.. 
'Further amend Paragraph 2 by leaving out the word 
"and" between the words "'paddling" and "'trophy" on 
the third line and insert the word "sailing" after the 
word "club" on the third line, making this part read as 
follows: "Including the sailing and paddling trophy 
races, the three record races, the club saihng race," and 
insert after the words "club sailing race" at the end of 
the third line the foUowing: "The paddling races for 
one, two and four men with single blades, and the 
paddling races for one, two arid four men with double 
iDlades, and the relay race for teams of three men each, 
with double blades." Insert after the words "three rec- 
ord races" on the third line the words "the free-for-all 
sailing race." 
Amend by substituting the words "Racing Board" for 
"Regatta Committee" wherever they occur. 
Rule II., Paragraph 2. Amend by leaving out the 
Hrst and third sentences beginning "No canoe shall be," 
etc., and "Members must paddle," etc., respectively. 
Paragraph 3. Amend by leaving out the whole of the 
first sentence beginning "A canoe which is," etc. 
Rule V. Amend the first paragraph to read as fol- 
lows: "Prizes shall be given as follows," instead of 
"Flags shall be given as prizes as follows." 
Amend Paragraphs 2 and 3 by leaving out these two 
paragraphs - entirely and substituting the following: 
"Prizes shall consist of shields or some lasting memento 
with the event, the letters A. C. A., the year expressed 
in four figures, the place of the meet and the words 'First 
Prize' or 'Second Prize' expressed thereon. 'The prizes 
for any one meet .shall be uniform in shape and design. 
Prizes donated for special races or competitions may 
be accepted at the discretion of the Racing Board. . No 
prizes of money shall be raced for. All prizes not 
awarded are to be destroyed." 
Amend the fourth paragraph by leaving out the words 
"if more than nine entries for the sailing trophy are 
present" on the third and fourth lines. Further amend 
the fourth and fifth paragraphs by substituting the words 
"free-for-all" for the word "trial" wherever if occurs. 
Amend by adding the following new paragraph: "There 
shall be paddling races with single blades for one, two 
and four men in a canoe, and with double blades for one, 
two and four men in a canoe, and a relay race for teams 
of three men each, with double blades, one man in a 
canoe." 
Amend by adding a sentence at the end of I he rule as 
follows: "At least one-half of all the paddling races, 
including the race for the paddling trophy and the relay 
race, shall be straightaway." 
Rule IX.. Paragraph 2. Amend by omitting all of 
the paragraph after the word '"protest" on the fourth 
line, and substitute the words "and a decision of a ma- 
jority of the members present shall be final." 
Add to the last paragraph of Rule IX. the sentence 
following: "No man shall contest in anj' race until he 
has been two days in camp, except in war canoe races, 
except, by special permission of the Racing Board." 
Boston, Sept. 24. — Editor Forest and Stream: . Please 
publish the following amendment to the Constitution of 
the A. C. A., as required by Article XII. : 
In Article IX., Sec. 2, Duties of Pursers. Tenth line 
after the words "be announced in one of the official 
organs" insert '"giving full name, accompanied by full 
residential address, name of club and name of proposer." 
It is unnecessary to point out the absurdity of the 
present practice of publishing names, preceded by initials 
only, when directories of several cities in division of 
applicant contain similar names and initials. 
Louis STOUffHTON DRAKE. 
New York, Sept. ly.— Editor Forest and Stream: 
Finding that the A. C. A. Racing Regulations do not give 
the lengths of the trophy, paddling, etc., and deeming it 
wise that each kind of racing canoeist should have at least 
two regular annual races to compete in to encourage him 
to bring his canoe to the meet. I make the following 
amendments to the Racing Regulations, a copy of which 
has been sent to the regatta committee as required by 
Rule XII.: 
PROPOSED amendments. 
Rule IV. Omit the word "three" and insert instead the 
word "four." 
Rule V. Paragraph 3. Add the words "by the regatta 
committee." 
Rule V. Paragraph 4. After the words "No. i, pad- 
dling and sailing combined" insert the words "three miles, 
time limit one and one-half hours." After the words 
"No. 2, paddling" insert, the words "one-half mile straight- 
aways" After the words "No. 3, sailing" insert the words 
"four and one-half miles, time limit two and one-half 
hours." 
Paragraph 5. Add the words "limited to 7Sft." 
Paragraph 7. Omit the words "The contestant ob- 
taining the highest aggregate of points becomes the lead- 
ing honor man for the year" and insert instead these 
words: "There shall be a free-for-all sailing race, six 
miles, time limit two and one-half hours. A one-half 
mile paddling race, single blade. A one-half mile pad- 
dling race, double blade. A one-half mile tandem pad- 
dling race, single blade. A one-half mile tandem pad- 
dling race, dotiblc buade." Insert after the words "pad- 
dling trophy" the words "one mile straightaway." In- 
sert before the words ''trial race" the words "six-mile." 
Add to this paragraph the foUoAving words : "The Dol- 
phin Trophy, seven and one-half mile consolation sailing 
race, open only to the losers in the trophy race, shall be 
called if there are two or more entries." 
Paragraph 8. Omit entirely and insert instead these 
words: "Accreaited representatives of foreign clubs 
shall be eligible to start in all races." 
Henry. Smythe, A. C. .'\., 1,^08, 
Yonkers, Sept. 21, — Editor Forest and Stream: 1 
have this day sent the following to Mr. R. Easton 
Burns, chairman regatta committee- for 1900: 
As per Chapter IX. of the By-Laws and Rule XXII. of 
the Racing Regulations, I herewith submit the following 
changes to the racing regulations : First, to amend Rule 
I. Paragraph entitled "Dimensions and Limitations," after 
sentence "Leeboards may be carried by a canoe not 
having centerboards," adding the following: "The 
minimum weight of a decked sailing canoe, cxclUvSive of 
centerboard, shall be loolbs." 
The last sentence of same paragraph amended to read 
as follows: "A canoe must use the same suit of sails in 
all races held at any one meet, these sails to be a prac- 
tical hoisting and lowering rig. and must not exceed in 
area 110 sq. ft. for a decked canoe and 40 sq. ft. for an 
open canoe," 
Amend Rule XXI. by adding, "A canoe upsetting in a 
race shall forfeit all claim to the prize unless in the 
judgment of the regatta committee the upset was caused 
by the canoe Iseing fouled by another boat, in which case 
the committee must notify the canoe at Once." 
Not that I personally favor all the above amendments 
have I proposed them, but I think they are a few sug- 
gestions along the line all seem to be thinking just now. 
I think some very good amendments have been ofifered 
thus far. Mr. Dater, I think, is striking at the wrong 
end in doing away Avith the deck seat, as to-day it is the 
safest and most comfortable thing about a sailing canoe, 
but there may -be some objection to the very long seats 
being used, and as I think the larger sail area has been 
the direct cause for tjiis, I offer the amendment tt) tt- 
duce the area to no sq. ft., and in doing this I have put 
a minimuiTi weight on the boat to keep some from building 
a very light and unsafe boat for the smaller area. I 
don't know as I have named the right weight in this 
case, as I haven't weighed any of the recent sailing 
canoes, but as I understand it, a detail of this kind may 
be changed at the executive meeting. 
Mj' object of the amendment in reference to one suit of 
sails is simply to lessen the expense of racing a canoe, as 
a man will not have to provide himself with a numbe'' of 
sails ranging in combinations from 128 sq. ft. to 85 sq. ft., 
but can get a reefing rig of iioft. and be on even footing 
with all other men. 
My amendment about upsetting in a race is offered 
in a measure to make the more daring sailors more con- 
servative, as we have had men start in a race knowing 
full well that they would upset at the first jibe, but as 
that would only delay them a few seocnds, it did not 
count, but if this rule is made, they will be more in- 
clined to reef before starting, thereby giving some of 
the poorer sailors a better chance. 
I have offered these amendments in the hope that 
they may in some way help to bring more men into our 
races, thereby making them more interesting to our meets 
and better sport to the men taking part. 
H. Lansing Qti-tck. 
Fellow Membefs of the "^A. C. f A» 
It is very unfortunate that so much notoriety has been 
given to the unpleasantness arising from firewater at our 
recent meet. I do not Consider this subject a proper one 
for discussion in newspapers and magazines that have a 
general circulation, but it has been discussed at length 
by some who are older in the A. C. A. than myself, so 
probably a few words more will do no harm. 
In the first place, I think had our camp been on an 
island some forty acres or more in extent, as is usually 
the case, there would not have been so much complaint, 
but where the different camps were crowded together in 
four acres of land, and one could scarcely snore at 
night without arousing the entire camp, we must natu- 
rally expect the owls to make a little trouble. 
Secondly, had the complainant spoken to the Commo- 
dore at once and he had gone quietly to the offending 
party and spoken directly to him of camp disturbances 
I believe there would have been no further trouble that 
night, nor further disturabnce in that quarter again 
during camp; but where the matter was allowed to go 
on for several days, as in this case, and then formal 
action taken, it naturally made a discussion through the 
entire camp, and occasioned a deal of ill will. 
Thirdly, I ani of the opinion that this year there was 
as little drinking as at any time during the eleven years 
that I have been a memlaer. No doubt we have many 
members who join the Association simply to have a 
jolly carousal, and not for the benefit of canoeing and 
the quiet evenings of good felloAvship, and I am in favor 
that hereaftef our applicants for membershiii must be 
canoe owners in good and regular standing; and we 
might also add able to swim (we do not mean in fire- 
water). 
In reference to camp sites, the next meet will un- 
doubtedly on the St. Lawrence River. Looking over 
our past records, we find that almost 75 per cent, of 
our recent meets have been held on the St. Lawrence. 
It has been suggested that the Association purchase an 
island in the St. Lawrence, where the camps may be heH 
from time to time, if the divisions desire, but not neces- 
sarily a permanent camp site. If a division has a bettei 
location and one they particularly desire used for thei\ 
year we would use it; but when we returned to the St. 
Lawrence we would not be compelled lo build a large 
dock and spend money on floors, etc. This would not 
only be a saving to the general Association, but to the 
indiAndual member. We could erect a mess paAdlioi-' 
rough boards that would also serve as an exceller 
storage place for the winter. In this pavilion a la!*g 
cooking range could be placed, also an ice chest, tlsr 
doing away with two of the difficulties of the camp mesi 
for it is impossible to prepare food satisfactorily with 
the limited facilities for cooking that we have had, and 
T am one of those who are particularly anxious that we 
shall have a better mess, and if the price per day could be 
raised and the food raised accordingly we believe it 
would be more satisfactory. Some may say that if we 
own a camp site it will not be long before we haA^e a 
number of permanent buildings. It Avill be a A-ery simple 
matter to establish a rule that no buildings but the 
mess pavilion and the ice house shall be erected, 
In reference to racin.g, Ave understand that a propo- 
sition Avill be offered to form a racing board. This is no 
doubt a step in the right direction, and Avill do much to 
promote an interest in racing ami keep it within liinits. 
Being somewhat interested in that line. I feel that a 
certain number of paddling races should be specified, so 
that those Avho purchase canoes for paddling Avill knoAV 
that there will be a number of eA^ents at least in Avhicli 
they can compete. The sailing men already have theirs 
set forth in our racing regulations. I believe that we 
should have a fcAv more double-blade events; that all 
paddling races should be straightaAvay — the turn i.<> un- 
reasonable and of no value. The best races I haA'e seen 
have been in the Eastern DiAasion. They are about 
evenly divided between the single and double blades, 
and the idea of a turn has never yet been thought 
worthy of consideration. Next year Ave may expect — 
and that very reasonably — a good attendance of the East 
ern racers, and some surprise in the paddling line will 
occur. I haA-e attended the meets of various divisions, 
and a great many club regattas, and find it is only a 
portion of the Northern DiAnsion that wish the turn 
Therefore it is that I make this appeal that all may 
haA^e a chance at the races without having to learn trick? 
in order to win. From the small interest Avhich has 
been taken in recent years by the spectators, it would 
seem that Ave have too many events. We should con- 
sider that at our recent meet, Avherc Ave had an ex- 
celletit regatta committee, the entire number of entries 
was thirty, which shows that in the future we would 
probably djo as well with fewer events with a coosequent 
