The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-12-04
GARMENTS BRANCH.
Dedication and Opening of lis
Fine New Quarters.
An 0ffshoot Of the Y. M. C. A.-Literary and
Gymnastic Exeroises-An Exciting and
Lively Tug-of-War.
On the southeast corner of Fell and Baker

streets stands an elegant structure of three
stories, built of the best materials, and at
tracing attention by the popularity of its
ornaments 1t is the new building built by
Morris Greenwood for the carmen's branch
Of the Young Mems Christian Association.
The builder has given free of rent for five
years the best portion of the building to the
street-railroad men forming the branch.
From the indications it looks as if large
number of carmen will avail themselves of
the privileges of the association. The OBJ
1ect Is to keep carmen off duty out of sa-
looms, and furnish them with place where
they can improve themselves by reading
and studying, and to provide means to
enable them TO make social acquaintances
and connections.
Last night was the time set for the OPEN
ing of the building and the dedication Of
the new carmen's branch. Notwithstand-
ing the rough weather large crowd gath
cred to hear the exercises. The parent as
ISOLATION has taken the greatest interest in
this otfshoot, and many of the members
were present with their friends and faini-
lies. 1t was expected that George w. Gibbs
President of the Y. NJ. c.. A.. would pre-
side, but Illness prevented him from attend
ing.
INSPECTION OF THE ROOMS.
Secretary Mccoy accordingly resumed the
position of master of ceremonies, the first
event being an inspection of the rooms de-
signed for the carmen. There is reading
room. upon which will be ali the leading
papers and periodicals. recepton-room
and hail. The principal feature of the
floor assigned TO the carmen is the gymna-
sum, which is fitted up with all the latest
improvements III the gymnaStlc art-the
horizontal bar, the swing, rings, dumb-bells,
pulleys and punch bags. Attached to the
gymnasium is a wardrobe, where the men,
bers can keep all their effects used in eXer-
clslng.
The dedicat0ry services opened with a
prayer by the Rev. j. Q. Adams, after
which Secretary Mccoy made a general
statement Of the objects of the establish
ment of the branch. He stated that the
benefits were for all carmen of good moral
character, irrespective of creed He hoped
that the majority of conductors and grip
men would join, and predicted that they
would make one Of the most energetic
branches Of tue association.
WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT.
Monroe Greenwood followed with a few
remarks. stating that tile building was
solely for the use of carmen. Rev. a. c.
Hirst OF the Simpson Memorial Church fol-
lowed with an address on the elevatng in
nuence Of such organizations on society.
Secretary-elect A. c. Van Camper also adj
dressed the assemblage, eXhorting the car
men to come iii and join the branch
The remainder OF the first part Of the pro-
gramme consisted of a recitation and song
by Miss Jennie b. Green wood, vocal duet
by Messrs. Robert Lloyd and +. NJ. Coffin
and song by Charles A. Money. Mrs. j.
II. Boone acted as pianist.
The second part Of the programme was by
far the most interesting and consisted of al
exhibition in the gymnasium. to which the
entire audience adjourned. About twenty
pupils OF the parent association, under the
direction of G. a. Mattern. went through
the dumb-bell drill. performed on the hori-
zoutal bar and formed the pyramids with
great redit. The most exciting event OF
the evening, however, WAS a tug-of-war
contest between team from the parent
association and one Of the conductors of the
street railroads.
THE OPPOSING TEAMS.
The team from the main association con-
sisted of f. Hart (anchor), William Wither,
c. +. Collins, j. Davis and H. J.. Lee. with
G. A. Mattern as captain. The calmen's
team was composed as follows: I. Nc
Donald tanchoD. J. Bortens, F. Shields. c.
+. Finney and NJ. d. Mclean, with G.
Henderson as captain. The earmen's team
in point of weight was too heavy for its
younger but more dexterous opponents.
When Secretary Mccoy gave the word to
pull, each team strained itself to its utmost
neither side gaining much advantage.
a
in their encouragement of the two teams,
some of them tanning their favorites as they
strained every nerve at the rope. Tie car
men at first imagined that they could pull
their opponents right out of the door, but
they soon found their mistake and bad to
settle down TO hard work to prevent them
selves from being pulled away. Excitement
ran high, and it was soon apparent that all
present had caught the fever.
AN EAGER THRoNG.
The crowd pushed and jostled each other
In order TO obtain good look at the con-
test, as now one side and now the other
gained slight advantage. Men like Ira p
Rankin craned their necks and stood on
chairs TO witness the pulling After
half hours pull, and it being after II O clock,
Secretary Mccoy stated that only i've more
minutes would be allowed. and that the
contest would be given to the team having
the advantage after the expiration of that
time.
Both teams. therefore, exerted themselves
to their utmost, while their admirers cheered
and yelled. No one would have thought it
was a meeting Of the Young Mems Chris
tian Association The last ten seconds were
particularly exciting, the contest ending in
favor of the carmen, who managed TO gain
one inch. So the referee decided, but the
majority believed that the contest ended in
a draw. After the exercises the spectators
were treated to cakes aud coffee.