Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-10
GARBUTT STIRS
UP ENTHUSIASM
AROUSES INTEREST AMONG
L. A. A. C. MEMBERS
BUSINESS MEETING ATTENDED
BY BIG CROWD
Prominent Men Make Speeches at
Gathering and Lay Plans to Boost
Popular Athletic Or
ganIzation
BY CHESTER LAWRENCE

One of the most enthusiastic meet
ings ever held in the history of thu
Los Angeles Athletic club took place
last night at the club rooms at 534 Il
South Spring street. Almost every
member who has taken an active In
terest in the clubs affairs since it,
present popular organization was pres.
ent, and although the meeting origi'
nally was called for the purpose Of
organizing plans for the minstrel show
it soon developed into a boosting
proposition that seldom Is seen in any
club. The members not only agreed tC
boost for the minstrel show but for the
club ITSELF for the new building and
for each other fellows interest.
Vice President Garbutt was called
upon by the chairman for few re-
marks concerning the use to which the
proceeds of the minstrel show would
be put after a member had asked the
question. 1t was generally conceded
that the vice president put the matter
before the boys in a plain and straight
forward manner and in way that
would not justify argument. He cited
instances regarding the clubs early
struggle for existence. Many of the
things he said were known to the boys
while others were not. But it was not
what he said that influenced the men,
bers as it was the way he said it. Few
of his auditors were masters of the art
of reading human nature, yet not one
could fail to see that the speaker was
greatly in earnest. He spoke upon a
subject that was near to him, 1.-THE
Los Angeles Athletic Club. - Much de-
pended last night upon what Mr.. Gar
butt would say. For several weeks
past there has been feeling of dis
sent among many of the members.
A feeling similar to those that have
in times past cropped out in every sue
cessful organization and one that de-
notes life. because of interest. 1t was
not a question of two factions among
the members, simply a case of every
body trying to boost, yet looking upon
the issues involved from different
points of view. For that reason par
ticularly, Mr.. Garbutt's task was a del
icate one to the extreme. He knew he
must look at both sides of the question
and at the same time speak logically
and in a way that would convince.
That he rose to the occasion was proven
by the thunderous applause that greet
ed many of his statements. One of
which was: I'VE have in this club the
best athletic instructors in the world"
A broad statement, yet one that hardly
can be refuted by anybody who is ac-
quainted with Treloar and Van Court.
Ee spoke of the boys as my children"
and in a way that only natural orators
can, got under the cover" as it were
and aroused the enthusiasm of crowd
of fellows, which intellectually is sec
ond 10 none in the state of California.
Dewitt c. Van Court, the clubs box
ing instructor, gave an interesting ac-
count of the varied experiences of the
Olympic and other clubs under different
and systems of manage
ment. which was thoroughly appre-
ciated by the boys.
George NcKeeby acted as chairman
of the meeting, and after short talk
the plans of the minstrel
show introduced Prof. Emerson of San
Diego and a popular member of the
club, who will coach the boys during
the final preparations for the show.
Mr.. Emerson's speech was crisp and
spelt "boost" from start to finish.
Other members who spoke intelfigently
upon the questions before the meeting
were A. Lester Best, secretary of the
South Coast Yacht club and one of the
most prominent members of the club;
s. Schepps, G. Young Capt. Jorgstaff
and William Reuss, all of whom are
prominent in the business circles of Los
Angeles.
An advisory board elected by the
members of the club and consisting of
club members will be formed within
the next week and will in the future
take an active part in the club man
agement.