New-York tribune., 1908-01-14
| HOT FIGHT FOR OFFICE
SPLIT OYER PRESIDENT.
Ne5C York athletic Club Members
VII Decide 1t Tonight.

The annual election of the New York Athletic
Club, to be held in the clubhouse in Central Park
South tonight, promises to be the most excit-
ing contest for office witnessed within that
organization. The opposition the regular ticket
is represented by James II. Haslin whose many
friends have persuaded him for the presi-
dency against George W. Kulke, the presen. in
cUmbent, who is again up for election.
Mr. HasIin's supporters will not offer opposition
to any of the other candidates because they feel
certain that with No. Haslin in the chair the best
interests of the club will be secure. Furthermore
they feel confident that many of the present board
of governors are stanch supporters Of Mr. Haslin.
although their position the regular ticket for
bids their open antagonism to the head OF that
ticket. crcditabl, feature of the contest is that
neither side has shown any bitterness personal
animpsify. the whole question at issue being one
of principle the policy TO be pursued in the
management of the cubs affairs. The support
of Mr.. Kuhlke point to financial accomplish
ments OF the last year argument for re-
election. Against this those supporting Mr.. Has
lin point to his past record of many accomplish
ments for the benefit O. the club during the twen-
ty-four years thai re has been member.
The friends ct A.r Kuhke have issued circu-
signed by 27S members of the club, calling at
tenton to the fact that he has filed the Office Of
president with marked business and executive
ability, untring efforts and unquestioned integ-
rity,'' and that in their opinion the welfare and
interests OF the club will be best served by Mr.
kuhlkes reelection" 1t ends up by an appeal
to all members to go to the meeting and cast
vote for the regular ticket
Among those who signed the statement
Wilson Marshall. John J. O'Donohue. Alexander NJ.
Orr, NJ F. Plant. r. H. Price. Walter ]. Peck.
James Peabody. Winfield Scott. Charles Fl. Sher-
rill. Clarence E. Smith. John N. Talbot. Dr.
Charles D. Wright. George Bechtel. r. H. Davies.
Charles p. Geddes and James H. Taylor.
strong supporter of Mr.. Haslin said last night:
This is clean open contest, based entirely upon
legitimate difference of opinion to the clubs
m of 70 asst has
made profit is not to be denied From the stand
point of thorough clubman. however, large profits
not the main object of club organization. When
reasonable profit be made without the curtail-
of the comfort which should the chief
attribute of club life all we'll and good, but when
excessive profit is earned at the expense OF
those comforts and conveniences such profit is
undesirable.
Mr.. Haslin is familiar with club affairs
than any other member. He has served on the
board of governors for fifteen years of the twenty
four he has been a member On several occasions
he has come TO the rescue Of the club. notably
when, through him, the old clubhouse at 5th street
was sold at handsome profit to the club when the
most influential real estate dealers of the
opinion that had elephant hands.
Even then his loyalty to the club such that
he refused accept dollar of the commission
that due him for his services in bringing about
the sale.
Again, it is to Mr.. Haslin that indebted
for the handsome clubhouse Travers ISL
and 1t was he who was primarily responsible for
the raising of funds enough to make the under
taking possible Many such instances could be
enumerated, but il is not specific instances of
this kind that his friends supporting him.
Friends of the present administration rely solely
argument. which briefly is, Look at
statement, to which Mr.. Haslins friends reply
that any management, past or present. could
complish the same results If the fact ignored
that this is club and not commercial enter
prise. Being a thorough clubman, Mr. Haslin has
practical ideas of liberal club freedom, combined
with safe and sane economy. With his many years
of experience in these matters, his friends do
not believe that his policy would be one of par
smony with the sole idea of producing large
profits. In a nutshell, going to elect James
H. Haslin because we know him to be the one
able to restore that old feeling of hearty good
fellowship and club loyalty that has not existed
since left 55th street ten years ago. His past
deeds for. the club prove that he bring this
about without any sacrifice of financial strength
The polls will be open at o'clock tonight and
close at midnight, and every indication points to
the heaviest vote that the club has ever known.