New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-12
THE VAN CORTLAND CADDIES
A PEsTIFEROUs AND INCOMPETENT LOT.
THEY CHARGE SEVERAL TIMES THE USUAL
RATES. AND ARE OF LITTLE UsE-AN EVIL
WHICH OUGHT TO BE CHECKED.

THEY CHARGE SEVERAL TIMES THE USUAL
RATES. AND ARE OF LITTLE UsE-AN EVIL
WHICH OUGHT TO BE CHECKED.
The growth in popular favor Of the game OF golf
is nowhere better demonstrated than at Van Cort-
andt Park These links owned by the city. Is ex-
ceptonallv attractive and well laid The course
is one that tries the mettle OF golf player. and on
Sunday a holiday or a half holiday. when people
can get away from business. the links Is crowded
far too much FOR comfort. The links IS not used
much by the wealthy. who can afford to play when-
ever they want 10, and who can afford to belong
10 exclusive clubs For this reason the links Is
not crowded at any time save those mentioned
The arrangement this place would be far better
II Il were not for the outrageous and irritating con-
duct OF the caddes and the Jack Of observance or
the rights Of other players by the golfers-but this
IL due almost solely 10 ignorance OF the etiquette
OF the game. The city employs a superintendent
OF the grounds and among his other duties he Is
supposed 10 manage the caddies He might az well
try and manage a horde Of wild Indians or border
rufians The conduct Of these caddies is nsolent'
ruffianly and abusive.
In the first place the presence OF these boys upon
the grounds is against the law. They should be IN
school and a truant officer VINO would investigate
the case would make a comprehensive maui
Ragged dirty faced. mpudent and lazy, they
lounge over the grounds abusing the players s'ed'
ing balls when they get chance. impeding the
plaV and making general NulSdHtes ONN "a N''N'''
selves There probably anywhere from twenty
20 nftv OF these caddies around the grounds at all
times When a train reaches the station and sew
eral golf players get OF. they are Immediately sur
rounded by these young ruffians. who night ana
struggle TO get to them and quarrel among them
selves as to who shall have the right TO caddie II
they find their services are rejected they immedi-
ately say
Want to buy some balls mister" II this offer
is rejected they In and in some cases abuse the
| unofending golf player with flow OF profanity
and invectve that would do credit TO the late Mr.
| Kidd Last week party OF three. two men and
woman. got off a train and were Immediately sur
| rounded by the caddles When they refused TO
accept the services OF the little imps there was
howl Of derlslon from the caddies.
You're a hot lot" said one caddy
BET yer there amt Is cents in the push" said
another.
pine the layout" said another; must have
bought that bag and them clubs at junk shop"
SO the abuse ran.
one Of the uninltiated who did accept the service
OF one OF the caddies asked him:
How much did you make last week.
Ten dollars" said the boy
.'yvhv don't YOU 20 10 schoolY' was asked.
Me mother won't let me cause I amt got no
shoes" was the answer
The boys shoes were ragged. and the man asked
why his mother hadn't bought him pair OF shoes
out OF what he earned. The boy then said that
that his mother had bought him two suits Of
clothes with IT, The truth that the boy didn't
want to go 10 school. and his mother probably
These boys are highwaymen and bandits in their
rapacous greed They are almost worthless as
G1d Gd has I4e 9 6 SG'qq himself %sn II it falls in
spot on the side and the caddie happens TO see
where 1t goes there IL chance tnat ne VIII Draw I
sklrmishing around until he concludes the ball IS
lost When he gets the opportunity the boy COS COS
back and ge,s it and adds TO his store OF balls
This traffic the part Of the boys must be pretty
extensive, for out OF the many cadaies ,neF rs IL
one 10 ten balls for sale They sell them at about
baIf me cost in stores and the players will buy
from them. thus putting a premium upon thTF
The prices charged by the caddes for services
are exOrbltant and out Of all reason These Doys
lie around the woods reading Thunder Dick
tnev see a chance 70 get hold OF what they call
ian easy mark" They insist on getting p cents
an hour. and the links Is crowded as rule me
players must go slowly ana ms means ans , ngge
owing TO his stopping 70 tax WIN otnet Doys '.s
failure TO watch the ball and his disposition not 10
find ball il he can help IT, he Is noreover' IN
| bag. and a rule the women VIII take cadd l
| and bear the outrageous charge: Inc caddle
toddles along and makes audible ana lnsoieh' re-
III Jimmie" yelled one TO another. come oyer
and see dis lobster play. DIS. is treat She
| handles a club like rollin' pin!'
urnan have escorts but their profanity and nso-
| leuce Is great that woman playing by herseii
h. required 10 pay - cents for nine holes probably
! while Is cents IS the proper charge. 49, .
them lust come to loaf with the caddies read novels
and help along the trouble. II has been suggested
| FORM keep them numbered and so have some hold
upon them and clear all other boys on the grounds.
| There is perhaps some ground for the abuse the
| boys hurl upon the players for more curious iot
| OF PLAYERS than these links would De
] hard to ind. The rules Of golf are dsobeyed in