The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-11-15

RESIGNS N. VA c. PRESIDENCY
VAN WORNER HANDS HIS WITH
DRlWAL TO GOVERNORS.
New CIuDh ouse at Trayers Island n Cause
OF His uithdr awa al wanted to wait
Until Other Debts Were Paid or Sen
Tor Orfcer Nearly Seven Terms.

John r. Van Wormer, president OF the New
York Athletic Club, laid his resignation before
the board Of governors at its regular meeting
last Tuesday night. and a climax was reached
in the affairs Of the organization which has
been threatening for some time. Mr.. Van
Wormer did not attend the meeting or present
the resignation himself. but Mr.. Murphy. his
secretary, placed il on the table. and what
action was taken by the board could not be
learned yesterday. 1t appeared that the
entire board was pledged to secrecy and no
one would tell whether or not the resignation
was accepted.
But Mr.. Van wormer is out for good and all.
and according to a statement by him a little
while arc he never again will be identified
with the governing power Of the club, which
absorbed all his spare hours for the last ten
years and for which he did a great deal.
The primary cause OF the withdrawal Of MIR.
Van Wormer was the erection against his
wishes of a new clubhouse az Travers Island
at a cost of 1925, 900, a move which was effected
at a special meeting last July. Mr.. Van
Wormer contended that the club carried
enouch financial responsibility just now
without mourning a new burden, at least until
some out standing debts had been disposed
Of. In two or three years, he said. the club
could think of a new house for Vravers Island.
but the originators of the project thought
otherwise, and IL was rushed ahead with
great CELEBRITY.
After the meeting at which the new house
was decided on, Mr.. Van Wormcr said he
would resign. A number Of the old conserva-
tive member called on him to try 10 get him
to reconsider. but the best they could bring
about was a little delay, which terminated on
Tuesday night.
MIR. Van WOrmer became a member of the
New York A. {: in lsSS, and in tn" clubs varied
string of members r. markaDle In their ways,
ranks in a class by himself. Aggressive to a
degree, keen and. shrewd, he showed rare
ability for G~rasping big financial matters.
lie became Nice-presi dPnt to James Wnitely
in 1905, and that year was notable for the inter
national athletic contests between the New
YORK, 4. I. and the London \; G., ap event
which left a lasting mark on athletic history.
mat same year the expensive element In the
club conceived the idea OF a new clubhouse,
and Mr.. Van Wormer served for three years
on the building and finance committee, while
incidentally he VAS chairman OF the house
officer In 1900. O7 and '9s. and In 1899 was sue
ceeted by Gen. Thomas l., Watson,
IL was notable that about that time a num-
Der 81 chdues sprang up, and for q brief
period the club was torn by faCtlOnal splits
and mntters were not moving smoothly.
the liabilities. caused principally by the new
house. and is, accessories, being sl,09s.o 27.
ganizatlon along the same road as the Man
haitian A. &. A strong ha nd al the helm was
needed, one who cared not for faction. friend.
n his own way. and he came when Van
W9rmer was elected president n 1900.
"a ~ ENN'AN - o. lin h'-h
the reius of Office he occupied his time by
looking infinitely into the financial affairs.
which were in a state Of chaos. No depa rt-
ment Of the club was Ou a paying ba sis, the
running expense was enormous and with no
hope of n decrease.
Well, said Van wormer one day. Il guess
the old club Is dead. gone, busted. bankrupt:
but III save il" and he Immediately put a
plan before the board Of governors. Some
liked the idea. Others did not, and among
the latter was Bartow $. Weeks, who was
preside nj In 1892. From that day on Van
Wormer steeTed the clubs Affairs according
TO his own plan, and il suited the majority
20 well that he was reelected to the prs al
denCy in 1901, 1902, 1903. 1904. 1905 and 1915.
seven terms in all.
In the last report OF the board OF governors
Mr.. Van FORMER IN his report showed that
from 1899 to 1905 there was a decrease in
the CLUBS liabilities OF $4,000. and this,
added 10 the difference IN the assets Of
t36. gO4, made q total bette rmen Mt of the financial
| condition of Sl77 500, IL was Van WOrmer's
intention TO begin next year to pay OF the
$500. 900 second gage bonds at the rate
Of $40, 900 a year, so that by November /, 1910,
when these obligations mature. ther re would
have been paid OIL $4,000 OF the total amount.
The viCe-president will preside for the re-
mainder of the Van Wormer term.