Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-12-31
NEW ATHLETIC DEAL.
KNlCKERBOCkER AND NEW JERSEY
CLUBS CONSOLIDATE.

Brought About.
An event of decided Importance to
the athletic world was consummated
recently when, at the annual meeting
of the New Jersey Athletic club, the
members voted unanimously to amalga-
mate with the Knickerbocker Athletic
club. This means hat the CHERRY
diamond" organization will practically
absorb the Bayonne club, and thus be-
come a worthy rival of the New York
A. G. in point of membership, advan-
tages and prominence in track, field and
aquatic sports.
The scheme had been talked of for
some time past by prominent members
Of both clubs and was first made public
by the nomination of James Z. Sullivan
for the presidency Of the Knickerbocker
A. g.
At that time only informal confer
ences had been held, but it was not
long before President Elect Sullivan
took steps to complete the deal. He in
vited the leading members of both clubs
to a dinner at the K~nickerbocker club
house the other night. at which it was
understood the final arrangements would
be made. The Knickerbocker A. G. was
represented by J. Ell. Ballantine, presi-
dent; J. d. Adams, secretary, and j, J.
Frawley, captain, while the New Jer-
sey A. G. had in attendance, in addi-
tion to President Sullivan, H. G. Fuller,
chairman house committee j. D. Boyd,
chairman cricket committee; John
Newman, ex-president; M. Schuyler
and O. E. Annett.
The condition Of the New Jersey club
was gone into thoroughly, and after an
investigation the affairs of the club pre-
sented a much better appearance than
the Knickerbocker representatives had
hoped to find. 1t was ascertained that
the entire charges on the club property
at Bayonne amounted to about $40, 900.
Of this $40, 600 is secured by mortgage,
while the remainder is money received
on notes and Indebtedness to tradesmen.
The surprise came when the estimate Of
prominent real estate dealers Of the
neighborhood showed that even with
the indebtedness that the New Jersey
officials have found too large to carry
there is an equity of $40, 900 in the
property if it should become necessary
to dispose Of it. If cut up into building
lots, the handsome grounds, with water
frontage, would, according to the local
men, be worth close to 800, 900.
On this showing the Knickerbocker
representatives did not hesitate to pro-
pose terms which were bound to be con-
sidered favorable to the members of the
New Jersey A. q. The Kniokerbockers
offered to assume all the indebtedness Of
the club in consideration Of receiving
the grounds and other property of the
N. J.. A. g., and to take in all the men,
bers Of the club without initiation fee.
The dues of the N. j. A. G. are 1924 a
year, while those of the Knickerbocker,
with so many more advantages, are only
$40 a year. With such a slight differ
ence there is but little doubt that every
member who is in good standing with
the Bayonne organization will take ad-
vantage of the opportunity to continue
using the grounds there and at the same
time have the use Of the handsome city
house Of the Kniokerbocker A. G.
It was decided at the New Jersey
meeting to allow delinquent members
who are willing to liquidate their in.
debtedness to the organization to receive
the benefit of the Knickerbocker's offer.
By this arrangement it is expected that
when the two clubs are merged into one
at least 400 members will be added to
the roll Of the K. A. O., which will
give to that club O total membership Of
more than 2, 900.
The New Jersey athletes will also
prove an acquisition to the Knicker-
booker Athletic club, as among them is
the noted half mile runner H. e. Man
vel, who has designs on the worlds rec
ord for that distance. The New Jersey
Athletic club charged its athletic men,
bers So a year dues, and under the new
regime they will only have to pay an
increase of "a a year. This is less than
half the charge for athletic membership
in the New York Athletic club, and as
in the future the Knickerbocker Athletic
club will have practically the same adj
vantage in the matter Of grounds and
training facilities the latter club should
ultimately make as big a bid for athletic
supremacy as its predecessor, the old
Manhattan Athletic club.
A oommittee from the Kniokerbocker
Athletic club has already gone over the
grounds and roughly outlined the i'm.
p%rovements to be made and the approx
innate expenses to be incurred. The
clubhouse will be enlarged. One Of the
principal features of the additions will
be the building of sleeping rooms, which
will place the plant on a par with
Travers island and allow the club to
keep teams in training there, as we'll as
providing a resort which is likely to
prove popular for Saturday to Monday
outings Of the city members. A res
taurant and bar are also included in the
plan Of improvement. The lack of these
has been one of the drawbacks of the
New Jersey club, and their establish
ment is sure to be appreciated by those
who feel that they should have a real
club and not merely exercising grounds.
The consolidation will go into effect
at once, as the half yearly dues of the
Knickerbocker Athletic club are payable
on Nov. /. The election of officers call
ed for by the constitution of the New
Jersey Athletic club took place at the
meeting the other night, and the fol-
lowing will act in an official capacity
until the club goes out of existence:
President, James E. Sullivan; vice pres
ident, Archibald Forbes; secretary,