The morning call., 1891-12-05
SOCIAL AND ATHLETIC.
Views Expressed Relative to the Two
Oakland Clubs.

Oakland Clubs.
SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 4. 1S9I.
Sporting Editor If The Call DEAR SIR:
The Acme CLUB OF Oakland has for a number OF
years been struggling for existence against great
odds and opposition.
The club is composed of young men, the most
OF whom work hard for a living and who, be-
cause OF that fact are looked down upon by the
young fellows belonging TO the Reliance Ath-
letc 81 Club which Is composed OF The best young
men in town, socially speahin ing. but as athletes
they are mot In ~ with the hustets who hover
under The protection OF the red-winged acorn
Some time ago consolidation scheme was
talked Of by men who thought there WAS room
for one really htstclass club athletic club not
social club like the OiympIcs IN San Francisco
in Otkland
The Rrllauce Club members were willing not
only because they had no athletes, but also for
the reason that they saw thereby good oppor-
tunity TO get rid OF dangerous and successful
rival 10 their athletic pretenslOns They reasoned
that while they had plenty of tone" iney had M
athlctes-tbe Acmes while they had athletes In
abundance and bad few men in their club who
were taught at home by their parents that IL was
init TO eat with their knives or come Into Inc
presence OF ladies with heir hats on, etc, were
not particularly IN love with the "consolidation
scheme" but principally TO hnd out on what
terms their naughty rivals would be willing 10 ion
hands with them, listened to their proposition
which was this: submit TO us list OF your
members allow us to choose those we want turn
over your property IOus, drop the uame Acme,
and call the new club Reliance p"
TIE Acme boys said may" and so the two
CLUBS each went their own way the Reliance
Club giving musicales aud whist tournaments
ana tile AGNES developing athletes, who, by the
way, win nearly every time they send men out
for prize, as the Oympics can testify Defeat
does not phase them, it simply stlrs them up 10
greater exerton, and their defeated Champions
are made Just as much OF on their return TO The
old quarters as the winners. This with Them ia
all iDfaIiible rule which they have come TO look
upon their duty 10 the men who have striyen
hard and failed to uphold the prestige their
little band has gained second only to the Olym-
pics In the Indoor sports. That Is one reason
a n nj a ~, ff,I,
for their club.
The immense success OF the late field day
given by the acme boys was bitter dose for
their tony rivals who are now talking up a
scheme to get outside grounds but do NOT saw
who is going TO use III in after they get them.
The increasing membership OF the Acme Club
has made their present quarters much TOO small
for comfort and many changes are to be made I'm
the interior OF lie building occupied by them, the
work of which Is about 10 b. done on evenings
and Sundays by these same much TO- be d espised
tby the Reliance) mechanical athletes OF the
AGNES, who by The way number on their mem
bership rolls men OF nearly every trade and occu-
patton at which artisans and mechanics work
They are also going TO build large hand-baIl
court on the vacanl lot adjoining their gymna,
SUM, and the only things they are going outside
OF their club membership for is the nails and the
lumber.
II some generous citizen win give them a LOT
and some lumber they can build their own club.
house to the smallest details with the men on
their rolls. They need not 90 outside of their
club either for the architect or the brains it
would take to figure on their specifications.
Inc questie.ns, , asked , candidates for member
profession or calling?" "Who was your father
and noiheiT "Do you dress in the latest
fashion 2" do you play lawn tennis ?'
With the Acmes 1t is simply: do You bear
good reputation" "Ate you fond OF athletics pr
The question which Will win In the end NAV
be answered by calling the Reliance Clubs al
tentlon 10 The history Of similar fight In New
YORK CITY Get them take warning) between the
New York Athletic Club and their muchly de.
spisrd though always victorious rivals the Man
battans, they OF the CHERRY diamond" WHO
now look down upon their lordy rivals from
million dollars ana who al the opening of their
new outside grounds. entertained over As 600
spectators with grand athletic programme
III the Reliance do not change their tactics
they VIII soon be the small load In the pud dle"
Tor the Acme busters VIII as surely beat them in
the end as The sun will rise.
A prophecy by one who believes all men ara of
equal Standing IN athletics.