New-York tribune., 1909-12-05
DANIELS IN FORM
SWIMS IN FAST TINE.
Big CrO1gd ThrOngs Ne1o York
"A. {. Clubhouse.

From the swimming pool in the basement
10 the squash court on the roof an unceas-
ing round OF novelty presented itself TO the
hundreds OF fair guests attending the sixty
fourth ladies' day of the New York Ath-
ietic Club yesterday. To those who had
attended similar functions in the great
house at the corner of Sixth avenue and
Central Park South the newer attractions
of the club proved interesting. They saw
the effects Of the $4,000 that had been spent
during the summer under the direction OF
President James Hasl:n and his board of
governors. The enlarged restaurant was
transformed into floral bower. The chez
had also displayed his art, and that spot
and the newly instituted grill room. on the
second floor. were crowded throughout the
afternoon.
Next to these the vaudeville performance
in the big gymnasium and the concert on
the cafe floor. which had the appearance
OF an African jungle. with its grouping
OF palms and tropical plants. proved popu-
lar. But those who experienced the most
fun and who chung to their places OF van
tage as if around a bargain counter were
the guests who managed 10 squeeze them
selves into the marble balconies surround
Ing the swimming pool Late comers. at
tractsd by the peals cf~laughter that came
from that direction. vainly sought to get
inside but without success
Not only were all of the human fishes OF
the Mercury Foot organization disporting
themselves in their best style. but Charlie
Daniels clipped nearly a second off the %
yard record to show that he is still In
championship form. While his time of
"a 3-5 seconds does not take its place in the
records, il was none the less authentic, for
Jerry Mahoney acted as referee, with
Edwin j. Benson, Mortimer Bishop. Harry
f. Buermeyer and DR.. Arthur G. Keane
judges. while the veterans. Lou Sharp and
Bob Stoll held the watches.
For real thriller the 5O-yard handicap
race In the tank, once down and back.
rather cast a shade upon all else. II also
developed the fact that James Reilley. who
resembles a pickerel in his length and
manner OF getting through the water, is
destined TO how Daniels the way TO the
finish line on even terms. With three sec
onds start. Reilley accomplished the feat
yesterday. His quick take-ofT at the fash
OF the pistol and his clean and rapid crawl
stroke put him away in the lead before
the turn. Daniels put on all the steam he
could muster. but Reilley won by a length.
An International flavor was noticeable In
thN idhNS NANiuSs III WHICH u recently
rived expert. Harold Smyrk. champion OF
England and Australia. rather put IL over
the American champion. Walter r. Lee
In his poise and finished work SmyTk ap-
peared to have taken lessons from an ac-
complished gymnast and acrobat. His Jack
knives and sOmersaults. combined with his
springboard work. attracted considera BILE
attention.
The fun of the aquatic sports came with
the harlequin race. the canoe race and the
soccer polo AS the swimmers did their
stunt of donning women's clothing at the
end of the first twenty-five yards, the fair
guests screamed with laughter IL was a
serious piece of clowning for the competi-
tors, at that. William W. Swan and Joe
were placed in the order named Ruddv
however. turned the tables on Swan In the
canoe fitting.
The race for members sons brought our
the usual horde of youngsters. who swan
like cells under the tuition of Gus Sund-
strom. They made great race for the
nifty yards. Thomas r. Mccarthy. Robert
Picard, James McAlene and Harry Hall
winning heats. In the final heat they fin
ished In the order named. the time being
81 1-5 seconds
That one may be as comfortable i'm the
made plain I'm mis- exhibition He SWAN
fuIy attired. smoked cigar under water
and did a number of other startling things
He was not the only one OF the club in
structors 10 come In for feminine atten-
tion. Up in the boxing room Mike Dono-
van was surrounded by host OF admirers
who looked over the wonderful collection
OF fistic pictures. tried the padded mitts on
and gave the genial Mike little taps thar
would not have hurt a fly
The reception committee was headed nv
Edwin J. Benson. who was assisted bv
James III. Haslin. Fred T. Williamson
Horace Secor. jr., Martin s. Paine. Robert
9. kammerer. Samuel Adams. Walter :
Wilson. George t. Wilson, Ernest II Nal
ooim' John jerome Kelly. Chalmer ID. Col
Pulley, r.. III. Goffe and others. The al
tendance throughout the afternoon was re
sarded as the largest in the history of
the club, II being estimated that nearly
twelve thousand guests enjoyed the varied
ant tGrta fpp