The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-15
John b. COckrum Says There Is Prac-
tically No Opposition to the
Proposed Change.
THE DUES MAY BE INCREASED
A BUSINESS PROPOSITION THAT CON-
Germs NONE BUT MEMBERS.
1t Would he as Sane tn Talk Of n Re-
cefver for the Republican Party
or the Methodist Church.

The unwarranted attempt Of the Demo-
cratic State organ to make political capital
out of the private financial affairs Of the
Columbia Club by publishing story of al
legged impending dissensions in the club,
based on the fact that number Of the
members have signed a resolution asking
change in the bylaws to provide for an
increase in the annual dues, has caused the
officials of the club to make a statement
of the true situation.
Ten days ago President Sweet called
meeting of the officers, present and past.
and of the chairmen of the club commit
tees, present and past, to consider the
finances of the club. The situation was dis
cussed at length and committee was ap-
pointed Of which John B. Cockrum is chair
man, to consider certain changes in the
organization that were deemed advisable.
This committee prepared a resolution for
change in the bylaws of the clubjwhereby
the annual dues of resident members will
be increased from $50 to $40. and non-resi-
dent members, who have heretofore paid no
dues, will be required to pay $40 annually.
This resolution was signed by large num-
Der of members and has been posted on the
bulletin board of the club. After thirty
days it will go to the board of directors,
i
be laid before the stockholders at the an
nual meeting early in February for final
action.
STATEMENT OF CLUBS AFFAIRS.
Last night Mr.. Cockrum made the follow
ing statement of the clubs affairs:
In the first place let me say that this
is purely a private business affair of the
Columbia Club; the public is not concerned,
1t is not a matter of general interest, and
but for the Sentinels efforts to make polit-
ranted and untruthfuI story to the effect
that the proposed change In the bylaws
had aroused such opposition that a split In
the membership was imminent and the CLUB
nothing whatever would be published con-
corning it. The Sentinel might as well talk
OF a receiver for % the Repu2iican parry ART d;or OF
senson among the members OF the club,
and any intimation to the contrary is un-
qualiiedly false.
large amount of money and attempted to
carry this on a system of dues for resident
members of less than one-half the dues of
similar organizations In any other city
and of no dues whatever for nonresident
members There is not club in the coun-
try in which nonresident members are not
required to pay dues. The organization of
the Columbia Club was wrong In this re-
spect, and seeing our mistake we are ask
ing the members to meet the situation In a
business way. In a canvass of over one
half of the club membership only two resi-
dent members and one nonresident have
been found who oppose the change, and
these three men are not radically antag-
onistic to the proposition. The Sentinels
article is malicious and false and is an un-
warranted meddling with affair with
which the public has absolutely no concern.
1.-The clubhouse represented an original
investment of a little over $195,000. OF this
amount about S125. 900 was paid, leaving a
balance due of about $4,000. The tangible
property of the club including real estate,
was worth s244000 at the time the clubhouse
was completed. On Jan. l, 1902, the tangi-
BILE property of the club, including real
estate, was worth S25S000. with the real
estate assessed at s3S 600, when IL lis really
worth s75, 600 to s100.000 On Oct. 81. 1902, the
tangible property of the club was worth
S263 600, showing a net increase of $500 in
twenty-five months. The indebtedness OF
the club on Jan. l, 1901. sl5l. .000 on
Jan l, 1902 il was s13S, coo; on Oct. 81 1902,
il was $4,000. The total reduction OF the
Indebtedness in twenty-five months was ap-
proximately $4,000
SALE OF NEW MEMBERSHIPS.
This reduction of the indebtedness has
been made. however solely through the
sale of new memberships. There has been
a loss in the operation of the house of from
Sc. 600 to ss.o0o per year. In other words,
the revenues of the club from dues and the
net profits on the business of the various
departments of the clubhouse have not
been sufficient to pay all the operating ex-
penses and the interest on the Indebtedness,