The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-02-09
PROSPERITY IN tLT bland,
shown Not 50 Much In Increase Of ''n''s
os I'm the Growth ~ Those Existing.

Clubs throughout New York are feeling
the effects of the general prosperity. shortly
before the depression Of 1903 there was n
remarkable Increase in the number OF
clubs. When the hard times came SONS
Of them d~isbanded. others were absorbed
bv more successful organizations and
others again Ind a long struggle against
hardships resulting from a shrinking mems
her sbt, and consequent loss of income.
With the return OF good times there hns
Leon no such increase In the number 81
clubs az mar ked the period shortly before
1893. probably because the experience of
tina, time taught men a lasting lesson.
1t was discovered that III" apparently
easy plan Of organizing a new club and
issuing bonds to pay for real estate ahd
furnishing was a dangerous procedure.
and there has been much less OF u IN ths
present era Of prosperity.
But if comparatively few new clubs
have been formed. established clubs have
grown. and the patronage OF restaurants
billiard tables and cigar counters in many
clubs has increased. Those clubs which
have a lnrge nonresident list are espe-
cially sensitive 10 changes IN business
conditions. sideut dues are usually
low, ana IN IuHN lIln'N q iihh WIN 'v'f'
10 New York half a dozen times a year
easily p~ersuades himself that lie ought TO
l.eloogt 10 a New York club. But when hard
times comes, that man quietly drop, OUT,
one club with a NONRESIDENT lr' ~ more
han 100 must have host IN tins way
within the last ten wears, many hundreds
Of nonresident members.
One reason why fpN new clubs are formed
NOWADAYS IL that the cost of starting aud
,,uftr.tytpg "a glftI j. InpIngNlTQ. IL q
10 longer oasy 10 found a litjlo club WIN
low dues, because club memncre now de-
mand more than any Such cum can oH'T'
At the same time. however mere - a -
action from the gOTgcOu-ly appointed ciUO-
houses So commOn within the last ten year.
Men are beginning TO recall the cosy charfls
81 moderate sized SIMPLY decorator
C~lubhouse-, and when some OF tho CLUBS IN
the region below Fuuy-Second street come
20 move uptown, a. some ~ them VIII
soon. he mana gers viii bD called upon %
decide whether the ncN home shau be- pala-
tial or merely comfortable and tasteful.
Yet another reason v ny good times have
not added greatly 10 the number OF ciups
l. that the clubs Of New York already repre-
sent a great variety of interests, ana many
clubs representing -I"ciai intereNtsa are SEEK
ing 10 extend thoIr mcm5"r-nip.
Clubs arc said 90 De- enemies 70 inatrl-
mouv and certainly mHirtmony Is tho
enemy Of clubs Bat for thu fact these
institution. would grow iuurn faster -
times of pius tcrity than They a." ioi tleh
il that men are draftcd OGt ui clHbdom mo
matr!muuy. There II a -watn 81 Young
hnchelor- coming into the club now bus
AT ia" same time roprC- of h'wlN Whrrlri
mon arr dropping out Any man who
has been for iiftoou OF twenty wears 4
lahitu6 II II particular club hs. ultliv,t
-ayera! generations 81 hhln''"., Tor We
man who Al p has lalf a uu2'u clubs, al .
settles down 60 ia'rimohy aud q ~dhEiS
club. Thus Il horl"ns that 'cw men e's
regular frcVu'utor~ Of ANY club fpr more
than f,u OF iWpls" year. H.d tl" man VINO
Lasts beyond that ''iu" iird- hhm"H SUR
rounded hy new acquaintance