The times., 1899-03-05
ATHLETICS AMONG
NATIONAL GUARDSNEN
Soldiers Will Compete for LO.
cal Championships.
Amalgamation Of KniekerbOcker
and New Jersey Clubs.
increasing Interest In the Coming
increasing Interest In the Coming
Indoor Meet-C. 4. {. Committees.
Eastern's Ball Team.

The amalgamation Of the Kniekerbocker
and the New Jersey Athletic Clubs which
was talked of several months ago has been
hanging fire since the first of the year.
Recently the matter was taken up again
and the few remaining obstacles were re-
moved and now the consumation of the
deal may be counted on TO take effect be-
fore the end of this month.
This is a matter of considerable interest
to all concerned in matters athletic, as it
will bring into the athletic world another
big live active club, probably the second
LARGEST in the country and the closest rival
and most active competitor the great New
York Athletic Club has. 1t will bring out
more real stars in all lines of amateur
athletics and viii help athletics every
where The reorganized club vii be
known as Knickerbocker Athletic Club,
which will have its big clubhouse and gym
nasium in Gotham and its training and
athletic grounds at Bergen Point, the old
home of the New Jersey Athletic Club.
The emblem TO be adopted will be the dis
Gus" and cherry diamond" the latter the
emblem of the cid Manhattan Club.
Gunrdsmen in Athletics.
Athletic matters are beginning TO shape
themselves at the Armory Of the National
Guard of the District of Columbia, and ii
looks as IL the local Guard will sooner or
later be in line with the guardsmen of
other cities, and become strong rivals OF
civilian organizations in the matter Of
physical development and friendly compe-
titions in the shape of athletic contests.
The athlete makes a good soldier. and
most of the soldiers should make good
athletes; one helps the other.
The armory is now provided with a
very well-equipped gymnasium, which viii
eventually have all it's needs supplied and
on other than drill nights it should be
used by the Guardsmen. There are a
large number of young men in the ranks,
who could be benefited by adopting some
means of exercise, and to further this end
there should be secured the services of
some good physical instructor, who
would systematically look after the train
ing of the soldier athletes. At the present
moment the services OF Prof. John Cross
ley can be secured. He was up TO month
or so ago the instructor OF the c. A. C.,
and is considered one of the best in the
country
Once the Guard has taken up the matter
IN earnest development of specialists IN
this or that line would follow. and in d
all comers and intercity meets with
Guardsmen would, like in other cities, be
feature OF the seasons sport.
II is proposed TO show to what extent
the soldiers have profted by the use OF
the gymnasium by holding an indoor meet
on April {, open 10 Guardsmen only, and
the events will be for the championship OF
the Guard. The Athletic Association OF
the National Guard, under the direction OF
President E. c. Edwards, has arranged
this meet, and il is proposed 10 make ii
a very interesting event. General Harries
and his staff and all the other National
Guard officers and their ladies will be in
Yited and are expected TO be present. At
ter the games there will be dancing. Prof
Crossiey will be invited to judge all the
contests.
The committee having charge of the af-
fair includes Captains Edwards, Walsh,
and Chisholm; Lieutenant Meyer, Ser