New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-03-18

rival fs barely three hundred. The athletic de-
partment expenses of the New-York Athletic
Club alone are nearly four times the total in
come OF the London Athletic Club
COST OF ATHLETICS.
In speaking about the annual appropriation
OF sos 600 for athletics another governor Of the
local club said: we make an annual appropria-
ton Of that sum for athletics. and the manage
:nent Of the club has idea of reducing that
amount for the future. Still there is consider
able misunderstanding regarding that appropri-
alton. The club always keeps within the ap-
preparation, and will probably continue to do so.
Many people probably think that the entire
$4,000 is spent in paying the expenses Of the
athletes. OF that S25 900 fully $14 600 is spent
in paying the salaries of the instructors and
their help in the various departments Of the
club. This expense would have to be main
tanned whether the club members continued in
active athletic competition or not. That $4,000
includes the salaries Of the athletic trainer and
his help the swimming instructor and his help.
the boxing, wrestling. fencing, baseball. rowing,
billiard, bowling instructors and their help Our
actual expenses for athletic competition foot
up something between $4,000 and $4,000 year,
which is modest enough. as anybody see.
In that $4,000 $1,000 included the trav-
elling expenses of the athletes, their hotel bills
and the training table. 1 would not mention
these details except that such an erroneous i'm
preston seems to prevail in certain quarters"
1T has been asserted that the large amount
received by the club for life membership has
been exhausted in paying the running expenses
of the club. and for that reason the club will
have to retrench materially within the next
year. Is that SOP" asked the reporter.
The club never kept a separate fund of the
amount received for life membership" replied
the governor. THE amount simply goes into
the treasury OF the club, the same any other
receipt. Our finances were never in better con-
dition than they are to-day, and the members
a whole never before took livelier interest
sn their club Our Board of Officers to-day are
practical business men, and the general outlook
is particularly favorable
SOME BUSINESS PROBLEMS
John r. Van Wormer, the president Of the
club was seen the clubhouse. Mr.. Van
wormer has been a faithful worker for the best
interests Of the club and his administration, in
the opinion of the vast array Of members, will
be one OF the best in the history Of the insti-
tuition. Mr.. Van Wormer at first seemed disin-
clined to discuss the private affairs of the club
and did so only with the idea Of combating SEN
sational rumors, which, he thought, if allowed
to go on uncontradicted, might give to the out
side world wrong impression. He said:
We have splendid institution here and we mean
10 maintain the present high standard Our pat
ronage to-day is greater than that OF any other
daily Our expenses, Of course. heavy In pro-
norton but not greater than those of other clubs
whose membership and accommodations are not so
good
Now. moving as We did from modest quarters in
Siath-aVe. to such Institution this is
thing of undertaking. naturally. but the record
shows that fully justified in taking the
course that did. We have had extraordinary
similar conditions and a the time we are
constantly learning. Last year we increased
active membership TO three thousand. and that
brought US In considerable additional income. Our
total membership to-day is close TO four thousand
and as good accomrnoda tons are, need
ali the room that have, both here and at our
country home TraVers Island. Every
have .n both houses has been taken, and 1t is only
q question Of time when will have add fur
Their TO both city and country clubhouses. I
think that addition will be built on the IT, on
the city house before long
The officials hope TO be IN position
s.der a plan add additional accommoda lions 10
house TraYers Island. Regarding the athletic
opinion purpose. The settled traditions OF the
club VIII be maintained with absolute fidelity No
radical departure Will be made from our sustained
devotion TO amateur athletics. But do propose
20 obey and enforce the provisions OF own con-
stitution and to respect the rules Of the Amateur
Athletic Union whatever other organization NAV
do One thing however. may be regarded as set
tied: We will stand for anything that is not
honest. Some phases OF competitive athletics we
will not eountenance. AS a club, our primary i'm
pulse is Of athletic origin, but If II not for the
fact that we have great body OF loyal club mem
bers who attached to us by social consdera-
tons. would not be in position 10 accomplish
what we do We propose TO make every depart
The present management is satisfied with the
progress which IS being made in controlling md
regulating club expenditures. II is entirely within