Morning journal and courier., 1880-06-26
Shall Yale Own Her Athletic Grounds.

Shall Yale Own Her Athletic Grounds. To the Editor of the JOURNAL AND COURIER: A strong movement has been set on foot by the undergraduates of Yale to secure by purchase her athletic grounds, and one which gives every promise of success. There is an energetic committee working at the project, and they have met with encouragement far greater than they expected.
 There is no need to mention the present urgent demand that Yale should own her ath- letic grounds. Her field sports of late years have labored under the serious drawback that athletics must take journey of nearly one mile and three-quarters before reaching suitable grounds, and that spectators must go the same distance. This is especially unfa- vorable to the success of track athletics and in the case of base ball and foot ball involves expenses and inconveniences that are very important Of course this drawback can never be wholly removed Yale is in the center of city; she has the consequent advantages and must suffer the con sequent injuries. But the committee claim that they are able to reduce the distance by half mile or more and the generous offers of the horse car companies
 
 direct. Besides these advantages, the cir cumstances of the present time make imme- diate action in the matter most desirable, nay, almost imperative. The grounds which are at present used, may at any moment be turned to another purpose. The owners make no secret of their intention of parceling out the land whenever the price of real estate, al ready rising, will warrant The owners of Hamilton Park also say plainly that the col lege cannot afford to buy ball ground there, even if they so desire. The Howard avenue grounds are already too expensive to consid- CT. The owner mentions $12O,oOO as his price, and the grounds are by no means large enough to accommodate the athletic interests of Yale.
 The price of real estate is at present low, though rising lots selling and houses building, and the sale of a small plot of ground may spoil for this purpose the piece of land at present most suitable; Yale field athletics are in very fourishing condition, and would show more strong and steady growth if only this one thing were done for their encouragement. An athletic association has lately been successfully organized, and has made creditable showing at Mott Ha- ven the last foot ball team was the strong est in the championship field, and the record of the present ball nine is not to be equsled in the college annals of our national game. It is alarming to reflect that all these impor- tant interests may be most seriously troubled, if not completely destroyed, by the actions of few money-seeking speculators. What then is to be done? Simply this-procure by purchase suitable and sufficient grounds now, and make the future secure forever. This is just what the friends of the college propose to do.
 The present movement originated in an editorial in the Yale Courant, April 3, and the other college periodicals speedily endorsed the plan. committee was organized April 24 to make Investigations, and the matter was kept very quiet, in accordance with the wish of some. On June 14 a formal report was made and accepted in university meet ing, and new committee was appointed to take charge of the matter, consisting of the base ball, foot ball and athletic association presidents, besides two members of 'S1, one of 'S2 and one of 'S3. The three field athletic organizations were instructed to put all their earnings into the treasury till everything is secured, and subscriptions au- thorized among the undergraduates. These subscriptions have begun and the matter has been put on a thorough business footing. A member of S1 and one of S2 have subscribed $1, ,OOO each, and others have followed with less sums.
 The undergraduates however, cannot be expected to pay any very large part of the sum required (some $35, 900 or $40, ,000), and it is hoped that the alumni and friends will appreciate the necessity of these active meas ures, and respond heartily to the call for as- sistance. The sum named will purchase am- pie and suitable land for two ball grounds, enclosed by track and including a football ground, with generous room for carriages, grand stands, house. etc. It will also be sui fcient to grade, turf, fence and build as much as is needed. Several good bargains are of fered, either of them superior to the present accommodations in point of nearness and ac feasibility.
 Subscription blanks will be fur nished by members of the con- mittee on application. It is espe- cially desired by the committee that very many will become interested, provide them selves with these blanks, advertise the move ment, talk it up and solicit subscriptions, payable by September 25, 1880, or sooner if possible, and mail these to the treasurer of the committee. This will help greatly and secure that speedy success of the project that is confidently expected.
 The committee with the address of the chairman and treasurer in full, is as follows
 H. c. White, 'S1, chairman, 157 Farnam, New Haven, Conn; between July and Sept 14 ,corner Pearl and Center streets, Nantucket, Mass.
 Wm. B. Hill, '81, secretary and treasurer, box l, 1,239, New Haven, Conn; between July 3 and Sept IA, Prospect, Shelter Island, Suf- folk Co.,, N. Y.
 J. B. Diminick, 's1, R. A. Peabody, 's1, ". I. Badger, 's2, 0. W. Lyman, 's2, O. s. Foota ,83