New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-05-23
NOT TO MOVE AFTER ALL.
ACTION TAKEN BY THB
MEMBERS OF THE UNION CLUB.
AT BIG MEETING THEY DIsAPPRovE THE RI
PORT OF THE COMMITTEE WHICH ADvo-
GATED THE PURCHASE OF THE ST.
LIKES HOSPITAL sITE-Too BIG
AN EXPENDITURE INVOLVED.

LrKE'S HOSPITAL SITE-TOO BIG
AN EXPENDITURE INVOLVED.
A most surprising action was taken last night
by the Union Club when the members decided
by an overwhelming vote not to accept the
report of its committee a site for the
clubhouse. The club decided several years ago
that its clubhouse was too far down town to
promote the best interests of it's members and
n committee a new site was appointed 10
find home for the club. At first certain
restrictions were placed upon this committee,
but as time went by and no site determined
upon. the committee about a year ago re-
ceived full power not only to select site but
to purchase IL for the club This committee
was selected with great care. and COM
posed Of representative and most conservative
men OF the club. In fact, the members OF this
committee at the time they appointed
were regarded by the younger element OF the
club, which in recent years has been making
itself felt. almost too conservative and no
fears were expressed in any quarters that any
but we-considered measures would be taken
by the committee 1t was in the belief that the
committee would act wisely and cautiously that
such extraordinary powers were given to II in
the matter Of selecting a new home for the
club.
The committee consisted Of John D. A. Girls
wold. Clarence A. Seward, S. W. Milbank. Fred
eric d. Tappen Alexander T. Van Nest and J.
Hampden Robb.
THE COMMITTEES REPORT.
This committee has had the matter OF ~
lecting a new site for the clubhouse under con-
sideraton about a year, and the result OF IL
labors was summed up in report which was
printed In full in yesterdays Tribune. This re-
port which was presented at last nights meet
ing said that the committee had offered s'oo'ooo
for the northwest corner OF Fffth-ave ana
Fifty-fourth-st with frontage OF 100 Feet IN
the avenue and l75 feet in Fifty-fourth-st. Ine
building was to cost $500 900 The offer for the
site was declined by the officers OF st. Lukes
Hospital but an option on the property TOT
$500 900 was given to the club. The option ex-
pres at noon to-day.
Although the Site Committee had full power 70
accept this offer or in fact to purchase any site
In Fifth-ave. costing even as much as sI'VoV'"VV
It's members decided to refer the matter 10 'he
club To the astonishment OF mary members 'he
club rejected the offer last night and discharged
IFS committee. Clarence A. Seward. the president
Of the club presided over the meeting which was
more largely attended than any other meeting OF
the club In many years. The large meeting-room
upstairs was packed with the members. fully 4o0
Of them being present. The business OF the meet
ing was a. once begun-that is, the reading o.
the report of the Committee on Site AS soon -
II was read a vigorous attack was mace on "
from a quarter whence an attack was least ex'
pected, namely. by the very men who had oeen
most earnest in having the committee appointed
with it's extraordinary powers. and had expresses
q desire. not more than a year ago. to have the
Ew- Commissioner
James W. Gerard led of with critical review
OF the committees report, showing how has-
ardous it would be for the club to assume
such a large Indebtedness the selection
y, tho ST Iuke's Hospital site would
involve He pointed out that the Committee on
Site had assumed that the present net assets
Of the club were s626,573. OF which s55o,ooo were
put down for the building, lot and annex. he
doubted II the real estate OF the club would
bring any such price II placed upon the mar
ket at the present time. But even admitting
that the club property would bring this sum-
Mr. Gerard questioned the wisdom or saddihs
a debt of 81. 900 900 on the club. which, even on
the calculations OF the Site Committee. wouio
be the least amount Of Indebtedness the ciuo
yould no compelled to assume IL II ccepted the
81. Iuke's Hospital site. Mr. Gerards attack
on the report was one Of the most talked-ot
features of the evening. because a year ago ne
had been foremost in advocating new home
for the club, and had voted to give the COM
mittee its extraordinary power In the matter
OF purchasing a new site
Another surprise OF the evening was the ATTACK
Of Franklin Bartlett the secretary OF the ciuo'
on the report He. like Mr.. Gerard ana o'her
conservative members of the CLUB had ad'ocateo
= change o, home. and had voted to give the
L.,
a new site. Last night however. he showed
plainly enough that he was not In faVor OK the
report
THE REPORT OVERWHELMED.
The vote by which the report Of the Site Com
n,ittee was rejected and the members OF the
committee discharged was overwhelming IN TIE
negative and no detailed vote was deerheo
necessary.
The result ~ the vote caused unfeigned aston
ishNnent among the members OF the ciup' Ohe
OF them said to Tribune reporter: lh's 10
the most remarkable revulsion OF feeling that
have ever witnessed In well-conducted ciuo'
and sneak with some authority on that point.
because have been a club man forty-nve years
never was so surprised in my life as was
when that roar Of disapproval against adopting
the Site Committees report was heard. 1t means
that the conservative element OF the CLUB (and
Judged by their nights vote 1t includes the vast
majority OF the members) does not feel able TO
shoulder a debt Of 81 900 900. and possibly more.
for the sake Of moving uptown. 1t also shows
that there are a number Of club men left below
Thirty-fourth-st after all. IN spite OF all the as
sertions to the contrary.
MANY members OF the club are OF the beIief
that there are plenty Of frst-class clubmen liv-
ing in the vicinity OF the Union Club, who VIII
easily maintain its prestige many years to come
believe in being progressive yet do not be-
lleye In "going 1t blind" II 1t Is true that all
the cubmen have moved above Thirty-fourth-st..
then of course the Union Club must move
further uptown. or "go out Of the business"
But people seem to forget that there are a large
number Of people who stilP hve oeiow !m.S
somrthst and undoubtedly will refuse to fol-
low the uptown movement as long as they i've.
md