Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-11

1t was very natural that national banks. the
national currency and the national credit would
be mentioned in speeches at dinner at which
the bankers and others interested in the bank
ing institutions Of Washington were invited to
meet the new controller Of the currency, Mr..
J. II. Eckels. At any rate that proved to be
the case at the dinner given last night at the
Down Town Club by the Washington Loan and
Trust Company. Mr.. Eckels was the guest Of
honor, and the occasion evoked an interesting
speech from him, besides several striking
speeches from others touching on the finances
of the country. The dinner, which was fully
worthy OF the occasion. was handsomely served
In one of the large dinning rooms Of the club
on the top story of the lofty building Of the
Washington Loan and Trust Company. Mr..
b II. Warner presided and acted as toast
master in a happy and efficient manner that
developed a series Of good speeches.
Those who were present to meet Mr.. Eckels
were Assistant Secretary of the Treasury c. s.
Hamlin, VIM Dixon, president National Ex-
change Bank. Baltimore; W. j. Dickey, presi-
dent Manufacturers National Bank, Baltimore;
Robt. Shriver, president First National Bank OF
Cumberland; David Wills, president Gettysburg
National Bank; J. ID. Baker. president, Citizens
National Bank. Frederick, Nd; VIM. Lawrence,
ex-irst controller Of the treasury; Lawrence
Kemp. national bank examiner for Maryland
and District Of Columbia: A. L. Barber, presi-
dent Barber Asphalt IdV1nR company. COi- D.
NJ. Wilson. U.S.A; VIM L. Tucker. vi. VI.
Parker, Commissioner Of the District OF Column
bin; b. III. Warner. president Washington
Loan and Trust Company; e. j. Bell, president
American Security and Trust Company; =. T..
Herrell, president National Capital Bank; Z. ).
Parker, president Columbia National Bank;
J. d. TAYLOR, president Ohio National
Bank; George C. Henning. president Traders
National Bank; Matthew G. Emery. president
Second National Bank: DR.. Daniel B. Clarke.
D. -
Wilson. president Lincoln National Bank: J. l..
Barbour vice president Central National Bank;
Henry A. Willard, vice president National
Metropolitan Bank; H. Bradley Davidson. vice
president Lincoln National Bank; A. A. wilson.
vice president Bank of Republic; j. j. Edison,
vice president Washington Loan and Trust
Company; J. A. Swope. second vice president
Washington Lean and Trust Company; II. S.
Cummings, Gen r. y. Bstchelder. U. S. A.;
w. B. Gurley, A. S. Worthington, W. E. Barker,
Theodore W. Moves, ]. A. Hamilton, George
Truesdel, G. B. Bailey, ]. s. Swormstedt. y.
H. Shea, Isadore Saks. III. p. Goodwin. p. V.
DeGraw. Jules Guthridge. Charles Baum, Gen.
Ellis Spear, Paymaster ]. r. Carmody, L. S. N;
James Fraser, John b. Larner, W. b. Robin
con and Andrew Parker.
When the cigars came on Mr.. Warner took
The door and made a pleasant Introductory to
the post prandial exercises.
SOME LETTERS READ.
Mr.. Warner read a number Of letters from
prominent bankers and others who had been
unable to avail themselves of the invitation to
take part in the welcome extended to Controller
Eckels. The writers were Mr.. E. q. Kirk of
the Metropolitan National Bank OF Chicago.
Mr.. W. L. Trenholm of the American Surety
Company of New York, Z. s. Lacey, president
of the Bankers National Bank of Chicago;
Henry W. Cannon. president OF Chase National
Bank of New York. and ex-Controller Of the
Currency A. B. Hepburn. Mr.. Cannon in his
ha 10 hlOO1 of fha frad do md
commerce of this country GIBBS and flows
through the national banks of our cities, towns
and villages and the hand of the controller Of
the currency. by reason of his direct relation to
the banks feels the pulse of all of our business.
The national bank act originated by Chase.
improved and strengthened by McCulloch
and Knox, provides not only a sound currency,
but also safe and permanent depositaries for the
peoples money, and il has been a great blessing
10 this country. Upon the wise administration
of this law depends much Of our prosperity.
The duties of the controller are difficult and
delicate and wish Mr.. Eckles every success in
his new Office. You can assure him that the
bankers of this city will always use their best
sndeavors to uphold his hands in every possible
way"
Mr. Trenholm wrote: Naturally I feel a
great interest in Mr. Eckes' success. and have
NO doubt it will be promoted by his becoming
acquainted with the experienced and eminent
bankers and business men who Will be brought
together at your entertainments | know well by
experience that there Is nothing more valuable
to one charged with official responsibility than
to be able to find within reach. at time of
need. those whose varied experiences and prac-
tical familiarity with affairs render them safe
and intelligent councillors. Washington has
grown VERY greatly in commercial Importance
even since the beginning of NV term. and there
are now to be found there bankers of as much
ability and experience as exist IN any other city
OF the same sze.
Mr. Warner then called upon Mr.. John JOY
Edison. the first vice president OF the Washing
ton Loan and Trust Company, to make the
speech of welcome
WELCOMED By Mr. EDISON.
Mr.. Edison said: When Mr.. Warner in
formed me that l would be expected this
occasion to make the remarks of welcome to
our honored guest he put this partly upon the
grounds that was at one time in the govern
ment service, in the Office of the controller of
the currency. i doubt if he knew exactly what
position first held i'll that Office and perhaps it
would be as well for me to tell him and you.
that you may better judge if the selection was
appropriate.
You are. Of course. aware that the Office of
the controller of the currency. under the
national banking system. was organized under
act Of Congress of February %, 1868. just
thirty years ago. Mr.. Hugh McCuiloch.
president of the State Bank of Indiana. a re-
markably successful institution, was appointed
controller OF the currency ard y. l. Howard OF
New York deputy controller. Twas the third man
appointed. Ny position chief messenger,
owing to the fact that was the oulv messenger
In the Office. / was just ont of the army.
seventeen years of age. and knew nothing
about de oartmental business or banking affairs.
By much effort and study became clerk in a
year or two and remained as such untll L re-
signed. / could tell. if time permitted, many
incidents in the early history of that great
bureau illustrating the wisdom and work of
Mr.. Hugh NcCullCch In organizing the national
banking system Mr.. NcCullochs letter of
sdvice TO bankers OF that time was full of gems
of banking ethics that were found as true for
generations before as they have been since and
will be for generations to come No new
progressive banking. 1t impresses me. can DO
pure banking business and safely ignore their
Observance. Mr.. NcCulloch placed the
ton that has proved true and lasting, hkened
to the correct principles upon which the ma
tional Treasury Department was founded by
Alex Hamilton. But NV present duty. which
IL a pleasant one. is to extend. on behalf of the
officers of the national bank and trust COM
panies of the capital, cordial welcome. per-
sonallv and officially. to Nr. Eckels who has
been honored by the President of the United
States in the appointment TO the honorable
position of the controller of the currency and
head OF the national banking system of this
country This action. on our behalf, Is the
g. ,,s.apce of me kind in this city upon the