Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-04-15

| A<X$S in the city before this
| N\\$@ have not been particu-
! ~ larly bright the out
look now may be said to have changed con-
siderably, and the chances are that every
body will have the opportunity he de-
sires to train and the discomfort which has been
apparent among those who were frettirg
to get into the harness at once will disappear,
while Washington's athletes will regain their
good nature and work with viii, to do what
they can for the Organizations to which they
belong.
ENERGETIC POLICY OF THE coLUMBIAs.
The affairs in the Columbia Athletic Club
which have been hanging fire for SO long have
been definitely. decided, and at the meeting of
the board Of governors on Saturday night the
true sentiments Of the officers were shown.
President Coon is authority for the statement
that the athletes Of the club will be given every
encouragement this season. Boating will receive
su pport, the intention being to have a number
Of club regattas, in which the various crews
will compete, and near the end of the season
1t is hoped that q regatta will be arranged in
which all the boat clubs Of the District will be
asked to participate, and thus the interest in
the sport will be maintained and the friendly
rivalry which is the backbone of all amateur
contests willste increased. So soon as the re-
pairs on the boat house are completed the club
will offer every inducement to those who wish
to row to do so.
THE VAN NESS GROUNDS NOT TAKEN.
At the same meeting Of the board it was
finally decided to refuse to accept the offer for
the Van Ness property, and for this season the
club will not go to tbs expense Of providing
new athletic grounds.
At the same time it can be authoritatively
announced that the members Of the club will
nrOv1deQ n tn n in
form for any sport and the club will not be
behindhand in affording them support for
whatever efforts they may wish to make.
This course will undoubtedly be criti-
cised By many OF the younger and more
rabid athletic advocates. but it is generally
safe to follow the example of board Of gov
errors, who are in position to best decide
what is most beneficial to the interests of the
club! The athletes and all members of the
club will best subServe their own interests and
that Of the club by affording the management
all the support they can. with the knowledge
that IN the long run their own interests will be
best taken care of soon the officers see their
way clear to doing So.
There was but one question which met the
board The feelings of the members, the &C
commodations that should be afforded them,
the prominent and leading part tina. the c. A.
c. has always taken in all matters athletic, were
all weighed and thought over, but the better
judgment Of those who knew tina. to continue
to pay off the debt at the present encouraging
rate was, after all. the business-ike thing to do
before any further expenditures were made,
prevailed.
At the same time it was the unanimous senti-
ment Of the board that everything within
proper bounds should be done to maintain and,
if possible, increase the interest Of the mem
bers in athletic affairs, and with this aim in
view the management Can be depended upon to
provide some means for the athletes to have the
benefit Of Instructor Crossleys advice ON the
track.
The annual spring games of the club will be
held as usual and though the training may not
take place there, 1t will probably be arranged
FOR the sports to occur at the grounds of the
Young Mems Christian Association
PRACTICE OF ATHLETES.
The lot next to the club has been put in good
shape and every afternoon some Of the men,
beers take advantage of this chance to rsctics
the pole vault, high jumping and shot and
hammer throwing Royce Hough, Smart, Nc
Elhone and Craig are all at work trying to see
how high they can place the bar aud clear il.
Craig is a new man. but he is showing up in
hrst-class form, and If he continues to improve
some Of the older men will have to look well to
their laurels if they desire to maintain them
Among the men who will work with the weights
are Adam Johnson. Rainier, Kruger Ellis and
Lieut.. McComb. The last is q very strong man,
and with the fty-si1-pound weight especially
he is very handy.
Cary Spence, that promising Splinter. will be
sent to the A. A. U. meeting to be held during
the worlds fair to represent the G. A. c. This
decision has been reached and word will be
sent to him to prepare himself. The club will
send him.
aYNNAsTIC AND MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT.
1t was also determined at the same meeting
Of the board, which accomplished so much to
advance matters this spring, that an athletic
and musical entertainment should be given
about the middle Of next month. Tho gym
nastic team are at work every night, and the
performance which they are able to give will
surpass anything that amateurs have ever done
In this city. not excepting the fine exhibition
afforded by the Princeton team
The musical portion Of the entertainment
will be participated in by the best talent that
can be obtained in the city. rs it is the inten-
tion of the committee having the matter in
charge to make it an entertainment such as
no one can find fault with. The exact date Of
the performance has not az yet been chosen,
nor has the hall. but it will probably take place
at Metzerott's.
INTEREST IN BATEMAN's SUCCESS IN BALTIMORE
Few affairs have created so much interest in
the Columbia Athletic Club as the sparring
contest which occurs in Baltimore tonight be-
tween Bateman Of the c. A. C. and Chase of
tho Neptunss. A large crowd 10 going
from this city and special rates have
been given by the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company. Tho number will probably reach
the hundred mark. On account Of the large
crowd expected the Neptunes have decided not
to hold the contests at their club but have en-
gagged some hall for the purpose. Both clubs
are sanguine that their entries will win, and as
the contestants are known to be very evenly
matched the result is awaited with interest.
WHY NOT HAVE AN ATHLETIC COMMON?
As . means Of providing grounds for the
athletes this season and at the same time afford
ing . place where all amateur games can be
played q suggestion has been made which,
though 1t may not meet with universal appro-
baton, still Is worthy Of confederation and may
res . In bringing about condition Of affairs
which will be highly satisfactory.
The sole reason for the refusal Of the Column
bia4 to accept the Van Ness grounds was that it
was considered polite to pay of the indebted
ness Of the club before further expenditures
could be made. The Carroll Institute is de-
sirous Of afording the many enthusiastic ath-
letes In that organization an opportunity to
improve their athletic skill, but the officers of
that institute, like those of the c. A. c., do not
feel that at this time they can afford the
expense necessary to rent property and
place the grounds in proper condition.
Why cannot an agreement be reached
between these two organizations to
drutd IA H..