The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-10-15
FOR FREE PLE4SURE GROUNDS.
Hoyement to Place Physical Culture vithtn
McMch of tho Enorcr CInsses.

A representative gathering OF enthusiasts ON
the subject Of general physical culture met al
the Lexington Avenue Opera House last night
to further their pet project. Their OBJ
jcct is to start n public agitation for
free Fairgrounds and open.air Rymnasiums
for the industrial classes and their
children and to evolve IL plan of concerted action
to attain this desirable end. Many prominent
advocates OF athletics we're reluctant absenteos
last night, but they sent letters of regret and
pledges of support. All the big physical culture
organizations were represented by delegates 40
follows:
Sew l%rk Turner pi.trlct-LouIs ws!ds, Presidents
Jacob ii"!ntl, II. SrIbers, Julius Harder. L.. Trenn. F.
Metropolitan Association A. A. U.-James E sulli-
van. President Jann steil, Treasurer; James. J..
Amateur Athletic Uuion-Charles c. Hughes. Dele
New YORK Turn vercin-H. Meyer. President; h.
Y.M. c. Abr. J. e. Gunck.
society OF Physical fducation-Nlcholi Bohlen.
Julius Harder, one OF the leading spirits in the
North American Gytnmastic Union, opened the
meeting and pointed out that its aim was to
s sHn"sS T free pleasure h%ssHr park ~"H P with sym ions
tic and other hCnlth.sustaining appliances
for the benefit Of those citizens who
regular re1 u c Ills. james jnnHe j. H'i Fra@fey, k infSfsn
n be" pn =. E ioi1 was qp2oiE'sTa E"rmansnt Chair
the delegates addressed the meeting in turn.
and not only demonstrated that there was
grave need for prompt action on the
lines proposed, but that they were prepared
to force the question to a satisfactory issue
the thin end of the wedge had been inserted. and
that the Park Commissioners We're willing to
equip East River Park AS an experiment.. While
THIS announcement WAS welcomed it was not
accepted as fulfilling the requirements OF the
situation. and most of the speakers advocated q
scheme on much broader lines.
Charles G. Hughes struck II popular keynote
that RlaCkwcll's Island was the site needed for a
central pleasure ground, and that he believed
1t could be secured ii the promoters stuck to
their guns and reused the general public by
intelligent agitation. James f.. sullivan took
the same view OF the situation i'll "A convincing
speech. IL was suggested by these and other
speakers that the city could very well afford
and furnish fcrriage at nominal rates TO the
Youngsters and adults in need of such a breath
ing and exercising SPOT. After n lengthy dis
cGesiuu of the question from various points OF
view. definite action was intrusted to the fol-
lowing committees:
Way. and Mcans-John T. Boyle. Pastime A. C; A.
& Mills, New York 4. G.; James T.. sullivan. New Jer-
Rry A. &; Nicloli Bohlcn, Society Of Physical Educer
tion. and Max Wolf. y. y. I. V.
ON status and Development OF East River Park
Louis Weide. New York Turner district; \. J. Patter
son. y. VI. {. a. Thomas Kane, Catholic Club. Jersey
city; John j. Dixon, National \ C.. Brooklyn. and
Otto Pullick, New York Turner district.
Plan and Scope-Jullus +. Harder. New York Tur
nor district: c. {. Hughes. A. A. L. Delegate at l.arget
Barlow =. Weeks, y. Y. A. c. II. Siebcrt and r.
Bach, rcr. New York Turner district,
Special Comm!tte on L"rtslation-A, q. Mills. Jul
ius L. Harder. and J. Z. sullivan.
Executive Communicable consist Of all other com
mittces aud the permanent Chairman aud Secretary.