Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1906-07-24
CLUBLIFE ECONOMIES
POOR MEN IN TIE SWELL oRoANl-
zATioEs or NEW YORK.
A Democracy Where All. Regardless
of Income Araffsaaai-aember.h
In firs' Ra 'cIab Regarded N.
Profitable Iy tlstmeni.


of Income. ArAfEasai-Msmbersh
In n first IA 'Ciab Regarded N. n
Profitable IY t'.,ment.
A good manficountry visitors are
disappointed when they learn the sober
truth that New York has no clubs com
posed exclusively Of mllllonaires. II
Is harder stll 10 make country folk
believe that hundreds OF men Join the
so called swell clubs In large part from
motives o. economy.
There are scarcely three clubs In the
city that do not include "a considerable
number of poor men in their member
ship. The average income OF the whole
membership of the ten best known
clubs In the city is probably nearer
$4,000 year than $4,000 a year. and
almost every one OF these clubs in
cludes some scores OF men with incomes
well below $1,000 and a good many
with Incomes well below 5000.
There Is real democracy OF New
York club life. Youths In their early
twenties and Just beginning their ca
reers on very moderate salaries fire.
Quent truly palatlal clubhouses. break
fast In rooms such as few princes ever
use and lounge before fireplaces that
are 10 be matched only In the most
splendid buildings OF Europe.
The poor mans credit az the club IL
as good as the rich mans. and both are
impartially posted when they neglect
90 pay their bills In good season. There
are n good many instances also In
which the monthly bills OF the poor
man are higher than those OF his rich
fellow member, for the frequenters OF
clubs are apt 10 be the poorer rather
than the richer members.
Many man OF small means regards
his membership In a FIRST rate club In
the light OF profitable investment
Such a man. II u confirmed bachelor
has probably lived for twenty years
within half block Of the club. paying
a few hundreds a year for a small
bedroom and finding all his luxuries In
the apartments Of the clubhouse.
Without being In the least mean be
makes OF the club a money saving in
stitution for himself Its comfortable
lOunging rooms save him annually
from $500 20 $1,000 a year In rent. &C.
cording 20 the location In which he has
his modest lodgings. After that he
saves fair percentage on everything
be eats and drinks az the club.
His simple breakfast costs him per
haps 10 per cent less than IL would cost
~ any restaurant be would be likely
10 frequent. and the same Is true OF his
dinners IL be- takes three-fourths Ot
his meals az the club he saves annually
about SlOO In tips.
II be drinks wine at dinner he saves
from 10 90 - per cent upon every bot
tie. II be permits himself the luxury
OF cab he saves a handsome per-
centage by ordering II through the club
and avoids all possibility OF a row
with the cabby over the amount Of the
fare Many a man writes all bis let
tiers OF social character and some OF
a business character at the club. and
thus saves from SIS TO $40 a year In
stationery.
He need buy no books. nor need he
subscribe 20 a library. for there Is the
club library free for his use. lie never
need buy a periodical or even a news
paper save when he travels, for all
that he reads are freely supplied by
the club. And the enjoyment OF all
these things imposes upon him no con
siderable expenditure for extravagant
luxuries. He Is sure. especially In the
college clubs. TO find plenty OF men
with like modest incomes and simple
tastes rs himself. and he may sit for
hours with cronies over the cafe table
without spending money that be can
not afford and without giving onense
to the servants OF the house committee.
Most club members probably do not
keep a debit and credit account with
the club. but the man OF modest means
and moderate habits would find the ex-
animation OF such an account a matter
OF great satisfaction. Such a man.
paying $50 as an entrance Zee and s15
year in dues. Is likely 10 fnd himself
at the end Of twenty years a long way
ahead of the game. The club In TWEEN
" years has cost him rather less than
S2Oc0 FOR entrance fees. dues and con
tributions 90 the Christmas box. and
his savings by reason Of the club have
been from $1,000 TO SlG.ooo.-New
York sun.