The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-09-29
Municipal Clubhouse
Is Richmond's Need

Sporting Editor The Times Dispatch:
Sir.-The dual meet between the
amateur athletic associations of the
First National BanR and the Life In
surance Company of Virginia. which
was held at Byrd Park last Saturday
under sanction of tho Richmond ANA
teur Athletic Federation. proved n
great success. and was witnessed by a.
large and enthusiastic gathering of the
most representative business men and
women in Richmond
The meet from an athletic yicwnoint
was good. 1t showed that there is n
growing interest in athletics for tho
many 1t proved that men who have
not competed since their college DAYS
lntors viewpoint was also good. 1t
showed that men and women enjoy see
ing athletic contests in the open No
better proof Of this could be offered
when one considers that nearly GOO
men, women and children stood on TOP
.oi NE fence which surrounds the track
at bEfd Iark, craning their necks to
get a view of the races. and, too. after
each track event the same crowd hur-
the field events were held, in order
10 get place where they could see
what was was going on. Back and forth
Interested crowd OF R ifG nDdfs b beaf
pc ,o iaoored under great difficulties
stayed until the very last event w nes
run. and then crowded around the
JWuscs 10 Witness the presentation of
This dual meet demonstrated a great
need: ana one which should have the
irative Board OF the city OF Richmond
- \ municipal clubhouse is needed at
hh Sttar i nd,; NO city in the South is
her sons out In the open for athIctic
ttaining Suppression is the hue and
the watchword of the larger BODY of
c!ear-mindcd men and women who be-
iieve that the boys and young men of
To-Day are our fathers ana business
builders Of tomorrow
IN climate almost rivaling that of
sunny Italy. Richmond men and bows
nave rare opportunity of enjoying
outdoor exercise the year around Wc
nave the climate with us; we have the
ana we have The best placc-Bvrd Park
OF any city In the union as Il train
ing IN ground, but the thing we wocfuliy
lack ~ place to dress. lockers TO Keep
our uniforms and shower baths To en-
hancc muscular development
mnrG '"S ~.I OF Young men in Rich
whose fathers are the stanch business
men OF the city. and to whom the city
iaboring under mighty big handican
improvements are being made in orr
streets 81 Is, Our city is being better light
ed flies are getting scarce Terri
tory is being annexed New bridges are
spanning the river. Fairgrounds are
being established for the children b,,t
for The, man and boy who wants TO
Keep himself physically fit no provio
SION mas as yet been made.
equipped and furnished, would cost MOI
more Ihan $4,000. 1t would contain nj
least 1000 steel lockers. shower baths
ana LIVING quarters for a supcryisor
EAcn locker would rent for 81 a year.
M, ii'tie more than half cent a day
me income from this athletic ,nunjri
pa clearing house would be $4,000 n
year which would always pay for its
upktcp Gent!emanly conduct shouid
be the only requirement. and no white
man or boy in Richmond would he dis
eliminated against. The Richnond
amateur Athletic Federation calls atl
tfntion to this need. and asks every
CitiZeh OF Richmond to take the matter
under careful consideration and To lcnd
iil, influence TO establish this needed
Very truly yours,
+. S. TOUSEY.
Secretary r. a. a. +.