New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-06
J. G. Patterson Out with a
Statement Telling His
Side of Question.
SAYS THAT NO CLUB
MONEY WAS NEEDED
Explains Nature of Guarantee
Which the Fox Hills Golf Club
Required in Case.

Following statement by william II.
Page. who Is again running for the presi-
dency OF the New York Athletic Club.
but on an Independent ticket, that he was
not opposed TO golf for the members. but
that the present board OF governors had
turned down the proposal because OF
financial obligations. James G. Patterson
chairman OF the golf committee. made n
statement yesterday. giving his version
OF the question.
MIR. Page declared on Sunday that the
beard had no authority to guarantee
S.. Ooo annually for dues for 100 members
in a golf club. and that such procedure
would be creating a preferred class or
membership. Mr.. Page believes In al
forms Of athletic exercise and recognizes
golf a. a beneficial and popular sport
but he averred that the golfers In the
club were using the nominating COM
mttee for their own purposes.
Mr. BattersOn's statement follows
The nominating committee of the New
York Athletic Club has nothing TO 90
with the articles that appeared Ia the
public press regarding golf. Goh was
not even mentioned at any OF their meet
ings. and President Pages attitude tow
ard golf was not one Of the reasons VII!
the committee did not renominate him.
During the presidency OF Colonel Rob
hn Ind
for the prizes given at the first annua!
golf tournament OF the New YORK Ath-
letic Club. Fred r. Fortmeyer, secretary
Of the club. al the direction OF the poard
Of governors. sent out circular request
ing those interested In golf TO meet al
the clubhouse and organize a committee
TO report to the board of governors thelr
findings as to what could he done by the
club to encourage and foster the game
About one hundred members responded
TO the call, and | had the honor of being
elected chairman of the committee.
Before this committee could evolve
a.. plan that would not be financial Durden
! to the club there was a change in the al
/ ministration. and the committee finally
reported TO the officers and board now in
power
"As chairman Of that golf committee
give YOU my version OF the proposal thai
was turned down by Mr.. Page. and would
be again turned down by him II he has
the opportunity. according to his inter
view in this mornings paper. He is, how
ever. gracious enough TO say that he has
no objections to the members or the Ne"
York Athletic Club playing golf. but does
not suggest how they may do so.
Mr.. Page states that the New YORK
Athletic Club was asked to guarantee
s.. 900 TO the Fox Hills Golf Club. The
New York Athletic Club was not asked to
guarantee one dollar. nor did the propo-
sition presented involve the New YORK
Athletic Club in the expenditure OF one
dollar, except the cost Of sending out
circular to the club members asking "
they were in favor OF having golf added
TO the list Of sports on the clubs pro-
gramme. Even that privilege was denied
us.
What was proposed by the golf COM
mittee was that the committe woulo ma
in the club membership at least one nun
dred members who would authorize the
club TO charge TO their house account S5'
in pavment of an annual privilege OF play
ing over the Fox Hills golf course, this
privilege to carry with II all the rights
of full membership in Fox Hills except
voting, and TO be renewable annually at
the pleasure Of the New YORK Athletic
Club member.
should there be more than one nun
dred members of the New York Athletic
Club who wanted the privilege, we'll and
good. but one hundred was the minimum
required by the committee representing
Fox Hills.
MIR Pages objection that the club had
no right to pay over 10 the Fox Hills Golf
Club money collected from member for
stated purpose Is pure tommy-rot for
the reason that the club furnishes taxi
cabs and collects the charges for the same
through the members house accounts and
pays the money over TO the taxicab COM
pany.
"Mr Page did not want golf and does
not want golf because he does not under
stand it.
That is the crux OF the situation.
While it is not true. as stated In the press,
that nominees for office on the regular
ticket have pledged themselves in favor