Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-10-10
Twentieth Annual Meeting Of the
American Association.
HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF CAPITAL
Welcomed to Baltimore by Mayor
latrobe.
MR.. H BRICKS APER


annual convention Of the American Asso-
citation Of Bankers convened at Ford's
Opera House at 1890 this morning. Every
section of the Union is represented. Sec
rotary Giese of the association says the
crowds check for $3.50 100000 would be
cashed.
Addresses Of welcome were made by
John P. Poe and Enoch Pratt. chairman Of
the Baltimore clearing house.
Mr.. Pratt said: LAS president of the as
scciated banks of Baltimore it is my pleas
ing duty to extend to the Bankers Asso-
citation and their ladies a cordial welcome
and thanks for their acceptance of our
invitation. We will do all In our power
TO make your stay agreeable. I would add
one more word. I hope you may be able
to fix on some plan for perpetuating the
existence of the national bank, a plan for
which is to be submitted by one of our
bank presidents
Mr.. Poe said: 1.-The unavoidable absence
of the governor brings to me, his repre-
sentative upon this occasion, the valued
privilege of extending to you, one and all, a
most cordial welcome to our city. You and
your constituents guard and distribute the
vast volume of the currency which sus-
tains our commerce, develops our manu-
features and supports the labor of our
toiling millions. The possession of SO great
influence and power carries with it a COM
you the obligation to exhibit at all times
the most unceasing vigilance, the strictest
hdelity and the highest order of financial
capacity"
Mayor Latrobe also made an address of
welcome.
President Whites Address.
Mr.. NJ. NJ White, president of the Ameri-
can Bankers Association, Responded:
ION behalf of the bankers present we
most heartily respond to the addresses of
welcome by his honor, the mayor, Attorney
General Poe ard Enoch Pratt of this grand
cid city of Baltimore-the metropolis of a
state famed in the past as an asylum for
the prosecuted of every class and country
who sought it's unsectarian domains;>and
1t has been well remarked that the empire
of justice and humanity had been COM
pleted, as emiSrants from every Cline To-
Gated within its borders; their object being
to identify themselves with unrestricted
freedom, as citizens of a new republic, and
take part in building and perpetuating a
system of government then unknown.
How well they built, We witness today
the creation of this fair city, known for
its hospitality and kindly greetings to all
within its gates.
again we thank you for the cordial re-
ception, gathering as strangers, departing
friends, ever holding in remembrance
the royal welcome extended upon this au-
spiciouS occasion.
1T is pleasant duty devolving upon me
bidding you welcome to the twentieth an
nual convention of the American Bankers
ASsocia ton.
THE association by the many eminent
representatives whose names are familiar
to the banking fraternity throughout the
lai D is to be congratulated that they and
others have left Office and counting room
to lend their presence and council, not only
or this occasion, but on many former gath
erings similar in character. to take part in
the pleasing duties before them.
Before me l see many familiar faces of
those who have the welfare of the banker
and material interests of the country at
heart, which already show the lines of care
softening under the pleasing words of well
come in the address you have had the pleas
ure of listening to-
Calling your attention to the business
that may be presented for your considera-
ton at this convention. l deem 1t proper to
refer to the fact that recently the industries
of this great commonwealth nave been
greatly relieved by the settlement of the
tariff question, after the prolonged and
vexatious legislation with which you all
are familiar.
ut is a potent fact that the banking fra
ternity, coming in daily contact with those
whose interests and occupation were most
affected. have welded a benign influence.
stimulating and encouraging all, and that
ere long the fires of the forge and the click
of the hammer will illuminate and resound
through the land.
LAS bankers We recognize the great re-
sponsiblity resting upon us. and in the
discharge of the same, firm and steady
character and the experience of years Of
training are required.
'Demagogues are constantly teaching
that in some way bankers are opposed to
the people and controlled by a narrow. self
ish policy. No class of people are more in
terested in the material prosperity of the
country, and any action on their part OPP
posed to this only retards their own in
tereStS.
THE business Of banking is honorable
when intelligently conducted, and strong
power in the development of the resources
of the country, and is the OutgrOwth of the
highest civilization. and when better known
we need not apologize for our existence
Our business is inseparably connected with
the condition of the world at large and in
fact. with all that enters into the status of
the people"
Mr. e. II. Pullen, chairman of the execu-
tive council. submitted the annual report
which urged that all banks In the country
be secured as members. A resolution from
the National Union Bank to change the
constitution and increase the executive
council and establish the office of second
vice president caused a lively discussion
and was voted down.
The Daily Newspapers.
Mr.. Myron T. Herrick of Cleveland, Ohio.
president Of the Society of Savings in that
city. spoke on THE newspaper press and
its influence on finance in 1893"
Mr.. President and gentlemen: We have
grown to accept the newspaper as one Of
the necessities of life. 1t enters every de-
partment of dahy action, and it's circula-
ton is Indispensable as the circulate ton
of money. 1t supplies a natural inherent
want Before 1t was it was wanted. Paul
emphasized for coming generations the con-
uiton of a people without press when he
declared that all the Athenians and strang-
ers which were there spent their time in
nothing else but either to tell to hear
something new Imagine people devoting
all their time In obtaining what they can
get today for three cents or less.
THE influence of the press is best known
and appreciated when 1t comes directly in
conjunction with or in opposition to our
business affairs. Last year the attention
of this country and / might say of almost
the entire civilized world, was turned to
the subject of finance. That was what all
the people wanted to know about. There