Evening star., 1898-12-31
Young Mems Christian Association
Acquires Property Of G. A. G.
sale MADE YESTERDAY At AUCTION
The Association Will Obtain Pos
session Early in January.
PRICE PAID NEARLY $4,000

The property of the Columbia Athletic
Cub, on the south side of G. street between
18th and 18TH streets northwest, was sold
yesterday afternoon at public auction to
the Young Mems Christian Association for
$1,000 subject to taxes amounting to near
ly $500. which makes the total about
$4,000. Mr.. Charles C. Duncanson con-
Quoted the sale and there Were practically
only two bidders, one representing the bond
holders and he other the Young Mems
Christian Association. The sale was held
under the terms of deed Of trust to secure
the first issue Of bonds. amounting to So
900. aEd Mr.. Charles j. Bell, president OF
the American Security and Trust Company,
and Mr.. George W. Brown represented at
the sale the interests of the bondhOlders.
Mr.. S W. W oodwdrd the president, and
Mr.. John b. LaIIcr, vice president, of the
Young Mems Christian Association, made
the purchase in behalf of the association.
The property IS believed to be the best
adapted for the use of the association of
any in the city. The building is a three
story modern brick structure, designed es-
pecially for use as a club house, and for
an organization the members of which
in crested in athletics of all sorts.
The structure, which is about eighty feet
wide, with depth of 113 feet, and three
stories high, occupies about the center of
the lOt. winch mas a frontage of about $50
feet on q street. leaving vacant ground on
each side. There is Il wide alley in the rear
and on the south side of the alley is ground
having frontage of forty-four feet on 18th
street. which was also included in the sale
The total area of the ground is u All
square feet
Sold in Bulk.
An effort was made to sell the property in
parts, the building and the unimproved
lots, but it was found that the bids were
not satisfactory, and then the property was
M az a hnln Ht-itI, l,.,o
lots on 18th street, which were sold sepa-
rately. The total amount produced by the
sale is stated above.
1t has been the hope of the managers of
the c!ub that the property would be bid in
by the holders of the bonds and that ths
organization would be able to continue il y
occupancy of the club house tenants.
This program would undoubtedly have
been carried out if it had not beer for
the enterprise of the president of the
Young Mems Christian Association and his
ADVISERS IN the board of trustees of the as
socfauon, who recognized the unusual op-
portunlty thus presented of obtaining for
the organization much-desired quarters
and probably for a less outlay of money
than IN any other way. 1t is known that
the bonds were purchased for the original
holders ten days ago, and the club officers
were so notified, and the prospective pur-
chasers were assured that the club, in the
event of a sale, would not contest the pos
session of the club house but would va
cate within a reasonable time. At the sale
instead of the original holders of the bonds
buying in the property, was at one time
contemplated, with the view of leasing it
TO the Columbia Athletic Club il was
bought by the new owners of the bonds
who are also the officers of the Y NJ. C. A
1t is presumed that the bonds were
bought from the original holders at less
than the face value, but the exact dis
count is not known. The annual interest
amounted to $1,000 but as the price real
ized at the sale was only equal to the face
value of he bonds fS
the payment of this interest
The building is well fitted for the use of
the association. In addition to large and
spacious rooms. there is a fine gymnasium
and bowling alleys and swimming pool.
with al the accessories. Having the facili-
ties and the advantages to offer its mem
hership which this well equipped building
makes possible. it is believed the member
ship Of the association will increase, and
that it Will be placed on more prosperous
footing than it has been for years.
Gains Possession Next Month.
It is expected to take possession of the
building as soon as possible
The future of the Columbia Athletic Club
will probably be determined at a meeting
of the board Of governors this evening. 1t
is thought that those members who belong
10 the club because of the gymnasium. the
bowling alleys and other similar features
VIII transfer their membership to the
Young Mems Christian Association. 1t is
lIF>iLN IIlil tIlt tOiunuld Athletic Club will
cease TO exist as corporation, and that
new organization viii be formed and a
suitable building secured as a club house
The present membership is 30, and during
the ten years since the erection of the club
house the organization has experienced
varying success. About four wears ago a
fair was held and the proceeds used to pay
on a portion of the Indebtedness. In addi-
uon to the first mortgage bonds there was
second Issue, amounting TO 81 OnO which
vas mainly taken by members of the club
1he representatives OF the association
appreciate very much the courtesy shown
TO them by the officers of the club who
escorted them through the house and ex-
pressed the desire to do everything in their
power to facilitate the transfer of the prop
erty. 1t is likely that all the furniture ard
Httlngs OF the house will pass into the pos
session of the Y NJ. c. A. and that in a
short time the organization will he in its
rev hone
The plans for the future are not vet all
decided upon. but one thing is settled. and
that is, an auditorium will be built on the
vacant ground west of the building whore
the meetings Of the association can be held
As for the property on the north side of
New York avenue between 14th and 18th
streets now occupied by the association. it
Is proposed to lease it, and when a favor
able offer is received the property will be
sold. Fortunately, the association is not
compelled to sell its present property in
order 10 hold that Just purchased, but when
a sale Is effected then the prospect is the
association Will be entirely out of debt and
will have d handsome and commodious
home.
Regarded as Wise Step.
The wisdom of this move on the part of
the maAagers Of the association seems to
be generally recognized, and today wher-
ever expressions of opinion were heard
there was but one sentiment. and that was
commenGaton of the associations judg-
mvrt- Business men, those who are con-
servativc in their ideas, and people general
ly applaud the policy which led to this pur-
chase 1t is believed that d new era of
prosperity and usefulness opens before The
association, and in every way the organi-
zation VIII be able TO fill its proper place in
the community.
You Can Hire Finest Carriages
reasonably by trip, day and month, at
Downeys Model Stables, 1G22-2S l. street.
Advertisement.
Cor I.