Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-05-13
TWO FAMOUS RICHMOND
CLUBS MAY CONSOLIDATE.
committees From Wcstmorcland AMI
commonwealth Boards Conduct
Tentative Negotiations.
HERMITAGE NOTIFIED TO MOVE
Must Nacatc Site to BE Used for New
Railway Station-May Lease Shcr-
wood Park Property-Ncw Cniycr-
Sity Club Secures Quarters.

Far-reachinS changes are in the air
in Richmond club circles. The con-
st"uction OF the passenger station on
the HERMITAGE Golf Club sito-prclimi-
nary work on which is already under
why-will make necessary the early
renewal! of that club to another luca
ton. The recent fire at the WcStmorc-
land Club has renewed tho agitation
for removal OF this wcll-knoNvn club
from its present home at Sixth and
Grace Streets.
An interesting by-product Of The
Wcstmorcland Club agitation is Il we'll
defined movement. already favored by
Il considerable portion OF the mem
hcrShip of both organizations. looking
TO q consulidatin OF the Wcstmorcland
and commonwealth clubs. Directors
Of both clubs declined last NIGHT To
comment on this movement. taking
the position that il was still too ten
tativc in its nature TO admit Of dis
cuSsicn.
However. the boards Of both clubs
have gone so far as to appoint SUD
committees Of five men each to confer
I'll the suGg stcd consolidation and
thcS" committees, have held a mcctin;.
at which the matter was discussed at
length. The meeting was held more
than "a week ago. Each OF tho sub
committees voted to make u full re-
n"ri "f the proceedings TO its rcspcc-
tive hoari without making a definite
recommendation.
ROtHBS or DOrI
Clubs ARE YET TO ACT
The board Of governors OF the Com
m"nwcalth will hold IL meeting Tues
day night to take up tho Subcommit-
tees report and decide upon a line or
action. Before a far-rcachiug change
of this character will be sanctioned tho
matter will he submitted to the general
membership for its approval
II is understood that as soon rs
the underwriters complete tho adjust
mcnt of the WcStmorcland Club fire
loss. the board OF governors of that
club will hold a special meeting 10 con-
slider the report of its subcommittee
on tho proposed consolidation. Here,
too. the question of merging with tho
Commonwealth Club Will he submitted
finally to tn. full membership.
The WcStmorcland Club is the older
OF the two institutions and has limit
cd membership OF 500. In addition.
tn" club has a long waiting list. The
membership OF 40. sixteen life mem
hcrs and thirty-eicht on its waiting
list. Tho two clubs have l3S members
in common. y consolidation would give
tho new club memberships of about
S5a. making it one Of the largest I'm
the Southern States.
HAS BEFOHE CONSIDERED
" w - y
At various times in tn" recent his
tory OF tho Wcstmorclaud club plans
have been discussed looking TO tn"
sale of tho present clubhouse AT sixth
and Grace streets. and tho removal Of
the club to site further uptown.
Three years ago the membership At "a
general meeting voted down such p
plan and the matter has rested until
revived now by the fire ana the new
agitation.
The Commonwealth Club owns a
modern aud wCll-appointcd clubhouse
at COL West Franklin Street. which ia
looked upon as an ideal location from
tho standpoint OF accessibility to tho
club clement which resides chiefly in
the western portion or tho city. II has
hccn pointed out that the clubhouse
could easily be enlarged to take care OF
the combined membership in the event
that tho proposed consolidation is car
ricd out.
Negotiations for new site for tho
hermitage Golf club arc still under
way The club has been notified by
tn" Etchmoud, FREDERICKSBURG aud TO
tomac Railroad Company to Vacatc tho
grounds within thirty days Tho limit
however, viii he extended should The
club lind 1t impoSsihl" To make ar
ranScmcnts for a removal within that
time. Several sites arc under ccnSid-
cration--amonG them tho Sherwood
! Park tract between tho city and GIN
tor lark. Just cast of tho fair grounds
, This site. it is understood. is looked
upon with favor by many OF the NOM
bcrs.
Tho latest addition TO clubland is
tho University club. which has secured
as its quarters the handsome building
/ at franklin and Shafcr Streets. form
crly tho rc"idcncc OF Joseph T. Will
lard. United States ambassador to
| Spain.