San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-10-18
A Gym nasium at Last.


For years Columbia has been the
only great university in the country
without adequate facilities for the
physical training of her students. 1t
has been, therefore, no matter for
surprise that Columbia could not
compete with Harvard, Yale and
Princeton in football, or occupy
front rank in any branch OF athletes.
The college is now promised a gym
nasium at last, and the undergrad
yates are delighted. The movement
is backed by the Alumni Association
OF the college. This association, to-
gether with the Alumni Association
of the School of Mines, have for q
long time considered through a joint
standing committee the facility of
the organization of an athletic So
ciety which could afford the students
at the college gratuitous gymnasium
facilities. The facibility of the scheme
having been determined upon, q
special committee was appointed to
carry it out.
The committee consists of Professor
]. H. Van Amripge, Chairman; Pro.
lessor J. K. Rees, Professor p. de P.
Ricketts,, Messrs. f. A. SchemerhoIn,
w. F. Morgan, Nicholas Fish and
George Dewitt, Jr. The numerous
alumni of the city were appealed to
and responded literally. Applica-
tions for membership came in by the
score, and 600 names have already
been enrolled.
President Low himself is eager for
such an institution. He has just adj
dressed all open letter to the students
through the Spectator, the college
periodical, in which he deplores the
inability of the Trustees to furnish
athletic grounds for football and
other practice. The Trustees had
thought of putting the Wheelock
property owned by them into shape
for that purpose, and had promised
to do so. but the first estimate of ST.
500 had to be increased to S35, 900,
which was too expensive, especially
as the property could not be perma-
nently a6a pied to the use of athletics,
but $20,0OO is in hand to be used for
the attainment of suitable grounds.
The special committee of the new
organization have incorporated it.,
and are now actively engaged in per-
fecting plans. A site has not yet
been selected, but, if possible, it will
be in the neigh borhood of the chief
buildings of the university at Forty
ninth street and Madison avenue.
The building Is to be contain large
and thoroughly equipped gymnasium,
with commodious dressing rooms,
baths and other conveniences. There
will be rooms for fencing, boxing and
billiards. The societies of the Col
lege will also be accommodated with
rooms. In addition there will be
parlors, reading and reception rooms
bowling alleys, tennis courts and
space for other games. There will
be a restaurant and lunch counter
but no intoxicating liquors will be
sold. The building is to be fireproof
throughout.
There are to be active members
associate members and nonresident
members. The first class will in
clude graduates and instructors in
any of the departments of the college
The associate members are to consist
of persons not connected with the
college in any way, while the non-
resident members will comprehend
those living thirty miles or more from
the city.
The initiation fee of memb is t.
be $50. though the original incorpora
tors have entered at S25. The annua
dues are not to exceed $40, and non
resident members are to pay a yearl,
subscription of $40. The membership
is limited to 1000. The great featur
of the plan is that undergraduate
of the college in any department ar
to be given the use of the rooms graf
uitousIy, subject 10 restrictions, whic
In all probability, Will merely b
with reference to hours.
R-Raar In mind that Frank