The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-06-09
BIG CLUBHOUSE
IN HEART OF CITY
Business Men Plan $25O,OoO
Structure for Commercial
Organizations.
WILL BE FULLY EQUIPPED
Gymnasium, Showers, Swimming
WILL BE FULLY EQUIPPED
Gymnasium, Showers, Swimming
Pool and Roof Garden
Are Suggested.

That the Business Mems Club Is sert-
ously contemplating building a hand
some, wcll-equipped and modern club
house In the heart of tho downtown
business district was made public yes
terday by President Alvin 81. Smith In
his annual address, to the members Of
tho club. Although the project has
been quietly turned over BY tho board
Of directors during the last fiscal year.
the club mcmbcrahip became acquaint-
cd with the plan In mind only ycstcr-
day. The suggestion was received en-
Enthusiastically.
Tho club board Of directors in an un-
obtrusivc way, began the agitation of
the clubhouse project months ago,
when II appointed q committees con-
ssting of the following men 10 work
out the details Of n building plan: w.
$. r. Mayo. a. NJ Cover. r. s. Chris
tian. Jr., and President Smith. 1t Is
known that this committee has now
three sites In mind, all three within
a stones throw of the present quar-
ters of the club. In the American Ma
tional Bank building.
NEW CLUBHOUSE WILL
DE ELABORATE AFFAIR
Tho clubhouse In mind VIII be a
creditable building, cntailing an out
lay OF at least s25o.000. 1t will con-
tain bedrooms for bachelor members
gymnasium, shower baths, swimming
pool, billiard room, roof garden, cafe
and the customary conveniences OF n
city club. The undertaking Will be
financed. II Is expected. on the same
methods employed for the erection OF
the Country Club of Virginia. That
building was financed by bond Issue
taken up exclusively by tho members
of the club. The SUCCESS of such a sys-
q;
taking. and it is understood that tho
clubhouse committee has gone so far
to sound the more af!iucnt members
OF the Business Mems Club. and finds
them favorably disposed toward TAX
Ing UP a bond issue.
on account OF the fact that the pre-
lifninary work Is yet uncompleted. the
clubhouse committee was continued by
the board yesterday and authorized 10
report it's recommendations at n spc-
c!al meeting of the club 10 be called
as soon as Is feasible. The plan has
met with such hearty approval that
il seems almost certain now that the
clubhouse will be erected.
PRESIDENT SMITH
TELLS of PLANS
President Smith, in broaching tho
subject to the membership, said:
Ever since 1 have been your Iresi-
dent ] have been strongly in favor OF
4 downtown BUSINESS men = ClCD Du4iu
ing into which every civic organization
not now having a permanent home
could secure quarters and have Its
meetings heid-a clubhouse equipped
with every modern convenience, iuclud-
ing bedrooms for it's bachelor mem
bcrs, with a gymnasium, showers. pool
b6v ling alley. pool and billiard tables,
and. If possible. an attractive roof
garden. such club building in the
heart of the city and in the financial
and business section would, OF course
mean an outlay OF certainly not less
than s250.0oO: but ut the same time II
world be an asset to our city IN more
ways than one, and do nor believe
that this club will reach the full
fruilion OF its powers until the time
comes when il has modern club
mouse in the business section
Two hundred and scvcuty-s!N ballots
were cast in the annual election OF the
board OF directors. Tnc board is com
posed of fifteen members, five being
elected each year for terms OF three
years. Yesterdays election resulted II
the recollection OF three directors--Al
win NJ. Smith. W. 5. +. Mayo and Clyde
II. Ratcliffc-and the election of two
new mcmbers-Ilerbert W. Jackson
president OF the Virginia Trust Com
nary. and John Bagby. OF Pollard 4
Baghy.
HAS TAKEN PART IN
MANY MOVEMENTS
President Smith, in his annual ad-
dress. directed attention TO the sue
Ces"ful educational work carried on 10y
the club last year at It's table-tali
lJnchcons. The club took an active
part III the municipal questions para
mount, indorsinG Il free public library
Il municipal hospital and rendering
vital assistance in the campaign foi
the regional reserve bank. The an
nual stag outing of the club on the
river. inauEura:ed in 1913. has proven
immensely popular ana a protitabic in
vestment in adding to the fellowship
and pleasure OF the members.
In reviewing the finances of the club
President Smith reported that while
the books show Il loss of S"l?.15 for
the fiscal year, there is now a surplus
comparing the clubs assets and liza
bilitics, OF S2,513.S7.
Tho membership of The club now
equals 1905. divided as follows resi-
dent, Tl2; nonresident, 1874: commercial
70. This is less by for;y-three than
the membership on May 81. 1912. but OF
the present membership 1872 have been