The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1890-09-10
CLUB AND GOWN
Rev. Drs. Stoddard and
Herr Are Out of the Jer-
sey City Athletic.
WHAT AWFUL DUES RULE
Should There Be Discretionary Pow
er as to Its Enforcement--Mem-
bers Seriously Worked Up.

The Jersey City Athletic Club is torn
with dissentions, which many of those
who have the welfare of the club at
heart begin to fear will materially impair
the prosperity of that crack social organ
ization of the Heights. Already there
has been marked decrease in the mem
bership, which is said to have fallen from
600 to 410 within the past year.
The main cause of the dissatisfaction is
said to be the new financial policy which
has been put in force under the adminis-
tion of President John Reid. This was
brought about by the extreme indiffer-
ence with which many of the members
regarded the matter of their financial OBJ
pay their dues and allowed them to accu-
mulate until the club found itself the
creditor OF its members in q large
amount.
This abuse had grown to such propor-
tions that the officers soon became con
vinced that the prosperity of the organ
ization demanded change. Accordingly
rule was made by the Trustees that all
persons in arrears for dues for three
months should after ample warning be
suspended from the enjoyment OF ali the
privileges OF the club. 1t was also de-
termined to attempt to recover the ar
rearages even 1T they had to go to the ex-
tremity of beginning suit.
In accordance with this new regulation
several members were quickly suspended
and a large number OF claims against
others were placed in the hands Of Law
yer r. j. Wortendvke for collection. He
began suit and in many cases recovered
Judgment.
THE NEW RULES NOT POPULAR.
There was much grum bling at this
among the members. They thought that
things had come TO a pretty pass when an
organization oe the nature and standing
of the Jersey City Athletic Club should
be obliged to drag its members into court
to recover back dues
The grumbling, however, was mostly
beneath the surface. like the low, pre-
monitory rum bling of a coming earth
quake. until q few days ago, when IL
broke forth and made rather stormy
scene at meeting of the Trustees.
The cases OF number of members
who mad fallen under the three months
rule were under consideration when the
financial officer reported that the Rev E.
Il. Stoddard, rector of st. Johns Epis-
copal Church, was behind three monIhs
in his dues. This statement somo-
what staggered the meeting
one said anything. Then 8
motion was made that the popular rec
tors head should go in the basket with
that of the other delinquents. Some at
tempt was made to have an exception
made in the reverend gentleman's case.
Ii was suggested that he might be out OF
town on his vacation or might nave some
good and sufficient reason for his seeming
neglect OF his obligations
TWAS contended, on the other hand
that the cast iron rule had been made
and everyone heretofore had been made
to observe it, and it was neither right nor
just that any distinction should be made
This sentiment prevailed and the Rev.
Mr.. Stoddard was suspended. Since then
his friends have been working assidu-
ously to have him reinstated, and the
probabilities are that they will be sue
cessful.
8 saw the Rev. Mr.. Stoddard in his cozy
study on Belmont avenue this morning,
and he denied that he had had trouble
over dues or otherwise with the club He
also said that he had not resigned from
the club.
THE REV. MR.. HERR RESIGNS.
The Rev. Charles Herr, pastor of the
First Presbyterian Church on Emory
street, is another valuable and desirablo
member which the club has recently lost
Mr.. Herr sent in his resignation to the
last meeting of the club. and it was
said Mt the time that his action was
influenced by the steps taken by the
officers in Mr.. Stoddards case. The club
regretted exceedingly to loose such a
desirable member as Mr. Herr and strong
efforts were made to induce him to re-
consider his resignation but he insisted
upon its standing and it was finally
accepted with genuine regret.
Mr.. Herr stated this morning that his
resignation was actuated by personal
| motives only and that the Rev. Mr.. Stod-
| dard's case had nothing whatever to do
| with his action. He added. rather signi-
| ficantly, however, that it was pity that
Mr.. Stoddard's case should have
assumed the ASPECT it had.
He thought that the same
| end could have been reached by some
other means, aud that it was an occasion
when some modification of the rules
| could have been made without injuring
anyone. In the meantime the dissatis-
| faction is growing. and there are many
| among the clubs y most useful
| members who are beginning to
ask whether such proceedings
as have been going on of
| late are not calculated to do the club
| more injury than benefit It is difficult
| to tell at this time what the upshot of
the agitation will be, but it is not i'm
probable that some modification OF the
cast iron financial rules will be made.