Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-05-31
Westmoreland Membership
Called to Discuss Union
With Commonwealth.
PROPOSE ERECTION OF NEW
BUILDING TO COST $650,OOO
Planned to Retain Wcstrnore-
land Name, but There Is
Opposition to Scheme.
JOINT COMMITTEE FOR MERGER
Both Clubs Arc Sound Financially.
The WestmorcIand Founded by
Confederate Officers.

Proposed consolidation OF the weet-
moroland and the Commonwealth
Clubs Is recomme nded by joint com
mittec recently appointed by tho two
organizations will be considered at Il
special meeting of the membership Of
the Westmoreland Club at $3.50 o'clock
Monday night. June Il.
Plans or the consolidation include
the erection of new building with
modern equipment on tho site Of the
present Commonwealth Club. the site
and building TO cost not more than
| $4,000
Rccommc mcndation of tho joint com
mittee for the joining OF forces and
property is based on no financial or
other necessity. but simply that
greater facilities may he provided.
The last audit OF tho wcstmoreland
Club, made by tho American Audit
Company January 81. 1870. showed the
club TO be in most excellent condition
financially. Net proht OF operation
during the past year WAS shown TO he
sl.1T5.lo. This is said TO compare
most favorahly with clubs and orGani-
cations OF this character in any city
OF the country.
Property Estimnied mt s1:J.OOO.
While tho audit estimates the total
value Of property and fixtures at $685.
i60,sO II Is declared that a sale OF the
property would show at least Sl25.ooo
instead of the figures given.
Membership in the westmorciand
f3Club. resident is 4s1 with a member
ship limit Of 500. The limit recently
was raised from 900. The non-resi
dent list is fun with waiting list.
The Commonwealth Club is also
In good financial condition. but neither
club is able to make such extended
improvements and additions as TO
adequately meet the growing de-
mands. The wcstmoreland officials
have recognized the need OF much
larger quarters. at least nifty ad-
ditional rooms arc required to meet
the demands of nonresident members
and others seeking accommodation.
While some of the officials and mem
bcrs argue that the club with it's
present strength is able 10 provide
for the betterments required the joint
committee has recommended join
ing Of forces. and the question now
goes to the membership Of the re-
speciive organizations for their rati-
fication.
Retains westmorcInnd Name.
The consolidated club will take the
name of the Westmoreland Club.
which has come to be recognized as
one OF the strongest and most honor
able in the entire country 1t stands
In Virginia and the South for what
the Union Club. of New York. stands
for in New York and the country.
It's prestige always has stood out with
prominence not only In Virginia but
in the entire country.
There is opposition to the project
In the Westmorciand Club. those
against the proposal contcndnS that
the old Westmoreland shall retain its
peculiar identity and proceed with
It's own resources to make such i'm
provements and additions az are de-
manded hy conditions and the call
upon It's service.
The joint committee reporting on
and recommending the consolidation
follows: :: =: ::
George Bryan Coleman Wortham
ss5 %ils4e se,I5ps & Ssssss ssSs.,s.
Archer g. Jones Frank e Williams
Eesh E K r Rs%iss Paso f0sfTl &isSn Rodses Rease
Committee Recomn endntions.
summary of the recommendations
is as follows:
That the board of the combined
cluts, as a temporary organization.
be composed Of twelve members from
each club. and that the officers of the
combined club be elected by this board
and officers thus elected to serve until
the first regular meeting Of the COM
bined club.
THAT the site upon which tie
combined club shall be huilt shall
be the site now occupied the Com
monwealth Club and the lot imme-
diately In the rear fronting on Main
Street, provided no more available
sitercan hereafter be found.
That the cost of said club and land
! upon which II is to be built be raised
by tho sale of first mortgage bonds
to such an extent as may be found
practicable and that the balance
found necessary to be provided be
paid In equal amounts by the two
clubs through the issue and sale of
second mortgage bonds to their re-
spective members: due credit being
given each club for the net.value of
it's present club properties
THAT should the two clubs take
favorable action upon the above rec
concentrations, that each club au-
thorize and empower its board OF
governors to act for 1t In all mat
ters pertaining there to, including
.&he use OF club building for the
consolidated club during the period
OF rebuilding the new club; the ac-
quisition Of a site for the consou-
Continued on Second sPage.)