The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-12-02
SEASIDE CLUB MEMBERS TALK
 OF ASSIGNING
Question of Raising Dues Brings About Split-Members to
 be CanvasSed

That the Seaside club, one of the ganization in Bridgeport is facing 8 grave crisis was the concensus oi opinion among the 100 or more mem bers who attended a special meeting last night to consider the question of raising the clubs annual dues to $3: as recommended by the Board of Gov ernors.
 The meeting was remarkable in many ways. It was one of the mos, largely attended business sessions in the history of the club and for the . first time within memory the mem bers refused to ratify an action of the Board of Governors.
 Despite the fact that the discussion and arguments which arose were con- ducted in a very friendly spirit, grave difference of opinion was dis closed and it was stated positively that the raising of the dues will be followed by the resignation of at least 75 members and possibly more.
 So serious is the situation that the members finally voted that the secre- tary shall write to every member of the club and put the question point blank-Will you resign if the dues are raised?
 Each member will also be invited to express his opinions as to the best way of meeting the situation and to suggest any improvement or innova- tlone he favorS in the club.
 While the subject was not once openly preached last night it was un- derstood on all sides that the split hinges largely on the question of whether or not the club shall install a bar and grill room for the mem- bers.
 Tho older members as rule are opposed to the idea, claiming that it is contrary to the principles of the club: while the younger members claim that some such addition to the clubs attractions is absolutely neces- sary and that if bar and restaurant were to be installed a raise in the dues would be unnecessary as the in come from the cafe would be amply sufficient to support the club, with the regular membership dues.
 Last nights meeting was brought about through the recommendation of the Board of Governors that the dues should be increased from s25 to $32. It was to consider this proposition that the meeting was called, and the differences of opinion among the mem- bers at once became noticeable.
 President George E. Hill called the meeting to order. At once Frederick
 
 a speech explaining and advocating the recommendation of the Board of Governors. He made a motion that the dues should be raised as the Board of Governors suggested.
 Samuel F. Vincent supported MT. Tracy's views but stated that it had come to his ears from several sources that there was great dissatisfaction with the proposed increase. "If so, now is the time to thrash if out said MT. Vincent.
 William Holman took the floor and declared that number of the club members had spoken of the subject to him and that to his personal knowledge. from 20 to 30 would re- sign if the dues were raised as pro- posed.
 Samuel s. Hunter. one of the oldest members of the club. made a speech stating that few of the members avajled themselves of the present privilege of the club and that in hs opinion to increase the dues would be an unnecessary hardship. He de- clared that he favored retrenchment, and that for one thing he believed that the expenses of the annual Sea side ball should be borne by those who atsnded,s and not by the club as