The San Francisco call., 1895-07-28
The Members Now Preparing
for Action in the Com
ing Campaign.
CANDIDATES FOR PRESIDENT.
Forces Getting Ready for the Con-
test Although but Few Names
Are Mentioned.

=
in the Olympic Club. There is very little
definite information regarding the plans OF
the various factions, but the politicians OF
the club are beginning to loiter around the
"Tired Boxer" in the lobby more than for
merly and to talk with more earnestness
than they generally devote to club affairs
A circular is out calling meeting of the
members to select a nominating commit
tee, and between this time and August s.,
when the meeting will be held, the various
forces will form for action.
So far for president there have been
mentioned A. B. Spreckels, William Greer
Harrison, Len D. Owens and Herman Oel-
rlchs Owens, who is member OF the
present board, has announced that he will
not accept the position. The friends Of
Oelrichs, although numerous, have not
shown much organization, for it is not yet
certain that Oelrichs will accept, and even
should he do so it is problem whether or
not he will remain in the City long enough
to properly attend to the duties of the
Office. AS for Mr.. Harrison and Mr..
Spreckels their candidacy is confined so
far to the mere suggesting of their names.
The Harrison sentiment in the club,
however, will prove strong influence in
the coming fight, even should Harrison
decline to run. His strength, in that case,
would probably turn to Spreckels. II. b.
Russ, it is reported, may decline to run
again for the position of treasurer, an
Office which he has held for number OF
years. Easton, one of the present direct
ors, is said to be slated for the position,
should Russ decline to run. Should Russ
desire to remain, however, there is not
much chance of any one opposing him.
Matt Weed, who was defeated last year by
big majority, wants to run again, and If
he gets on any of the tickets he will have
the card d-playing element behind him.
Outside of those mentioned, candidates are
not openly spoken of, but it is safe to
assume that few if any of the present
board will receive denomination, and fewer
still would be elected even should they
run. The present board has not found
much favor in the club.
The administration about to close is
very severely criticized by the club mem
bers, and it is certain that there have been
some mistakes made or the club is running
most erratic course. At the meeting at
which the present officers were installed
the treasurer statement declared the club
to be in good financial condition. Within
two months after meeting OF the members
was called and they were asked to reduce
the initiation fee of the club from $25 to $40,
the reason being that the club must have
tration there have been more members ex-
PEELED for non-payment of dues than in any
other. This is due in part to the fact that
many men Joined the club under the allure
ments of $40 initiation fee and then never
payed any dues; others hung on for little
while and then stopped paying. All OF
| these members were expelled without
mercy, but there were other and more
valuable names upon the list. Every list
contained some name well known among
| the active members-men who had won
| medals for themselves and honors Tor the
club colors, names which have figured
upon the clubs programmes on every
ladies night" at entertainments, at
| tournaments and at field days and races,
and the number of men thus lost IN this
way has caused much comment.
| The expulsions may have all been for
| good cause, but there is sentiment that
| something must be wrong when enthus-
| iastic and useful members allow themselves
to run behind and be expelled. Hereto
fore a man who had been credit to the
club was leniently dealt with when he ran
behind, provided he had reasons for do
| ing so.
The salary muddle will also play an in
direct but none the less powerful influence
| in the fight. When the present board
started to cut down salaries howl went up
that shook the club. Each one of the in
| structors and three OF the office men were
reduced. This was done in the interests o1
| economy. Then one of the instructor S
salaries was raised; then another. Then
Henselman, the cashier, was discharged
and then the Office salaries were raised
again. In the end the payroll was nearly
| as large as it had been, and those members
| who looked with some favor on the reform
| felt badly.
| The trouble over the grounds is a matter
of history, and the piles of sand now COW
ering the straight-away, and the legal
tangle which the whole thing is in, has
| done the club no good. On top of it all
| comes proposition to do away with the
| grounds altogether, but this is not expected
| to be carried out.
| These various forces have all had their
effect, and it is pretty certain that the man
who will promise to foster the athletic
spirit of the club and to arouse the interest
| in affairs which is so lacking in the organ
| ization will be ahead in the end. Until
| the meeting on August s. the fight will
| center on securing the nominating COM
mittee, and consequently the regular
ticket. So far the fight does not promise
to be a very strong one, but it may develop
rapidly in the last few days, as it has done
in former years. The election will be held
| Late in August.