New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-05-28
GOSSIP IN THE CLUB WORLD
OPENING OF THE TRAvERS ISLAND SEASON.
THE PROPOSED CONSOLIDATION OF THE METRO.


finds especial cause for congra'uiatng himself Just al
This season of the wear. lie has ENJOYED the priv
lagos and pleasures of . zig city clubhouse Win a
finely equipped gymnasium. all winter ana 10" Nv
nav turn 10 the country home OF the oF2ahnauoh vi
Travers Island for "A summer OF Out-oIdoor dcileh's
IN it's double Of city club and country c"o' 'e
Ney.yorl, Athletic Certainly presents anVahug's !"
It's members that they cannot fall to appreciate.
The formal opening OF the season on Iravcrs Island
took place yesterday. There was no hee' vi eSpeo'
ceremonies. All the men wanted was 10 get out Ill
the country and be at liberty to engage IN Sports Ut
10 lounge as best suited their fancy The charm OF
the island home Of the club in the distressing DAYS
n, srmcor lies in no one circumstance. The view of
tho sonnd the woods. swimming. the rowing. the
Yachting, tennis. the baseball the cooi clubhouse
anc The excellent fare are all attractions Blu be
vond all these there j. air OF freedom and OF good
fellowship that is worth nearly as much As they.
Visits 10 the island occasionally made In winter
and In the spring Barlow > Weeks. the vcc-prcsdcn'
and some other active managers go there to see that
the preparations for the summer season are under
way For several weeks the junior eight has been
living ct the Potter house. training for the Decora-
tion Day races Of the Harlem Regatta Association.
Eugene J. Gianinn the famous Oarsman and athlete
personally known TO all who visit Travers Island
has also been training there for his on Tuesday
In the Junior singles
The Potter house stood the island when the
club bought the property. At that time there was
also the Hunter mansion, which was burned down III
1887 The present big clubhouse was then built 1t
stands near the waters edge overlooking the Sound
There are three stories to 1t. broad piazza serves
as a charming place In which to dine. The main en-
trance hall Is big. cheerful apartment. with great
open fireplace. The rest OF the ground moor Is given
I'D to Offices. dining. billiard and committee rooms.
The upper part Of the house contains numerous sleep
ing apartments but not enough TO supply the demand
at times.
William p. Curtis was at the head Of the little band
NOrtr f1alnfip IN
Previously he had had gymnasium In the back par
lor Of his home at sixtb-ave. and Fourteenth-st
where his friends We'd with him In feais OF skill ana
strength The clubs fortunes were varying at first
but great success followed the election OF William Ii.
Travers as president in 1883. Owing largely to him,
number OF brokers and business men joined the ouo
and the building Of the house at Fiy-hfthst. ana
S,xtb.aye was soon made possible. Now as Is well
known the club has bought another site at sNth
ave- and Fifty -ninth-s.., which grand and mag
ni6cent structure will be erected. The club Is NOV
ing conservatively In this not wishing TO incur 100
crent q debt before the house IS open.
Trav-rs Island is half a mile from the railway sta
tion at Pelham Manor. in weschester County IL Is
united by q causeway with the strip OF hnd Also
owned BY the club. The entire tract IS OF 'hHW
acres Sheffield Island the original name OF the
place The present athletic field was laid out at a
cost of $50 OOO much Of It being made ground \
fine cinder track five laps to the MILE surrounds '"e
baseball field. Six thousand people have seen Tom
Lee William c. Downs, Walter ". Dohm ana o'her
famous carry the winged foot to the 'front.' on
this track. Eventually several additional acres OF
tidal land will be filled in. to provide bigger baseball
and football fields.
On next Saturday the fftleth games Of the club
will be held on the island. They open only to
members of athletic clubs. There will be the usual
contests most OF them scratch II the day Is pleas
ant, thousands Of persons will enjoy the clubs hes
pitauty
nAIv &c ant NJ
tow S. Weeks Is vice-president Mr.. Belmont is
strong man for the place, especially in view OF the
heavy responsibility which will be assumed when the
erecting Of the house is begun. Mr.. Weeks. who
has been president Is to lend his energies when
ever anything is to be done for the club. He per
sonally knows nearly every member. and all recog-
nise his devotion to the clubs interests
Clubmsn VINO have recently returned from Chica-
70 say the troubles which the leading clubs there
had during the early days Of May through strikes
among the walters and other employees have now
been settled and that the clubs in good running
order again. The Chicago Club which has perhaps
the best site In the city, having recently taken
session beautiful building formerly occupied bv
the Art Institute Mchgun-ave. near the Audi
forum Hotel is finally settled in It's new quarters,
and has begun be crowded. particularly at dinner
time and during evenings, with members and guests.
There Is more attractive place in Chicago to dine
late afternoon early evening than the restaurant
OF the Chicago Club. which occupies the entire front
second floor Of the bnding, and through whose
wide plate glass windows the diner look out upon
Aichigan-ave. with It's constantly moving throng Of
vehicles Lake Front Park and far upon Lake
Michigan beyond. The club is I'm the very centre OF
social life and activity of Chicago and the Eastern
clubman who is fortunate enough to I've put up at 1t
while his trip to Chicago Will find 1t a great
addition to his comfort The Union Club In North
Chicago, who its building IS much smaller than that
OF the Chicago Club, has one OF the prettiest club
houses In tho country and its cooking Is said 10 be
the best In Chicago. Several New-York men who
nonresident members who have been guests OF the
Union Club in the last month have given some hand
some private dinners there which they pronounce 10
have been perfect in every particular. Ward Nc
Allster, It is said III Chicago, is to be invited TO
private dinner at the Union Club when be visits the
Worlds Fair, and effort IS TO be made to prove TO
him that the Union Club at least knows how 10 serve
champagne properly.
II the twenty votes cast at the annual meeting OF
the Union Club ON Wednesday evening which seemed
TO represent those favOrng the idea OF consolidation
with the Metropolitan Club. arc any criterion of the
general feeling in the club, there IS little chance Of
the subjects being brought up again for
time to come. The twenty members, however who
were present and who opposed the election OF the
governors ticket which was supposed to represent
opposition to any idea Of consolidation say that as
only 40 votes cast out OF the l,4OO In the club
II was no test this question, and that II 1t
we're possible TO obtain full meeting OF the club and
the subject could be brought up and voted upon
much larger percentage would be found to DC In favor
OF consolidation, even II majority could not be OBJ
taned this time. President Stewards remark that
the Union Clubs history and position were not such
10 admit OF Its surrcnderlng to new organization
which had nothing that was not mort gagged for all 1t
cost" has been taken declaration of war TO the
death on the part OF the older and conservative
element OF the club against any efforts toward con
sordaiion with the Metropolitan on the part of the
younger element. and Mr.. Stewards reelection as
a governor is taken TO that he will succeed HIM
self as president the older element feels that 1t can
enter upon aggressive campaign with the strongest
forces OF club AT its back. The Union Club has
not forgotten that the which led 10 the forma
ton OF the Metropolitan and the influences which