The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-04-19
THE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION.

| the interests Of the Providence Athletic
Association, prints in full the report Of
President GEORGE l.. SHEPLEy, made at
the recent annual meeting, and which
summarizes the first years life of the
Athletics.
BY reason Of its large membership,
representative ofsthe business and social
life of the community in which it exists,
and by reason Of the broad sphere of
usefulness as casino and caterer 10
many of the wants of our people, the
Athletics may be said to be almotta a pub
lie institution. 1t is something for the
whole community to have q concern in
and to take pride in, and its affairs are
of general interest. Accordingly,
President SHEPLEY's report is of more
than Club value, and it can but be
gratifying to many folk outside, as well
as within, the large club circle to learn
from it that the imposing enterprise on
Weybosset street is practical success,
in that its first year has demonstrated
that it may be conducted successfully
and will endure with us for years to
come.
The Athletics was fortunate in being
established near the close OF the period,
during which the rage for athletic COM
petition had seemed to demand of ath-
letic clubs the maintenance of teams of
athletes In the various lines of sport.
The rivalry between the clubs all over
tho country for some years, mp to two or
three years ago, for prominence in pub
lie athletics resulted in the growth Of a
large number of athletes to
secure whom to wear the
respective club insignia developed sys-
tenn that was of little use to true ath-
letics and was enormously expensive.
An athletic club that did not have a
''stable" OF well-known athletes of abil-
ity on its membership rolls was behind
the times and lacking in enterprise.
Not only were tho fees and dues of this
class of members paid for them out Of
club treasures, but undoubtedly salaries
were also directly or indirectly paid,
trainers and handlers were en-
ployed at amazingly high prices. and
the whole system developed ar enormous
expense that severely taxed the re-
sources of the organizations and was
one OF the causes of the bankruptcy and
downfall Of the most prominent of them
all. Championship talent found good
market, and inter-club competition made
athletic ability source of revenue
somewhat more remunerative than most
young business and professional men are
able to earn, while the athletes them
selves would have lost all claims to an
amateur standing except for the tolera-
tion OF the clubs. due to mutual interests,
which prevented any calling of names.
When the Providence Club was started
three or four years ago, this fever for
teams of big athletes was at its height,
but, fortunately, when the club became
installed in its splendid home the tide
had ebbed and the new organization
settled down in the wholesome province
of social and athletic club whose re-
sources and equipments were to DO de-
voted solely to the profit, entertainment
and physical development of its men,
bers. The result has been that
the club has, without artificial
stimulation, enlisted representative
class of men In its membership
who find in the club house opportunities
for recreation, diversion and social
intercourse, that are not excelled, we
guess, by any similar organization in the
country. The splendid gymnasium,
than which there Is no finer anywhere,
is resorted to by men, women and chill
dren, aud of itself Is splendid institu-
ton, the use of which, we should say,
more than repays the cost Of member
ship, while all other departments have
beenso literally equipped, so finely
organized and made 30 generally
useful that they have commanded an
amazingly large and steady attendance
OF the membership - President SHEP-
LEY's report stating that the average
daily attendance at the club is not less
than % per cent. Of the total member
ship of 1899 resident and 1877 non-resi-
dent, while the registry shows constant
stream of guests at the club.
We understand that since tho annual
meeting OF the Athletics this month up
ward Of seventy-five new names have
gone on the application list. and we
doubt if any business enterprise can
show more healthful development
in its first year as the Athletics
are so fortunate Ia having achieved.
Started ut time the most disastrous for
new and old enterprises that the coun-
try has known in this generation, the
substantial establishment Of the club is
a tribute to the confidence and business
and executive ability of its managers, the