San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1896-09-23

ment was offered at our last conven-
ton prohibiting this, but it was not
adopted. 1 am in sympathy with the
view of members adverse to this GUS
tom, and in my case, considering it
will be more honored in the breach
than in the observance, 1 beg respect
fully to decline election as one of the
executive council.
The past year has been an eventful
one in our history. Our membership
has largely increased during that pc
Rod, the accessions being about five
hundred.
Interest in our association and it's
work has been aroused, and we conf
IDENTIFY expect continuance of growth
with greater rapidity in the future
than in the past.
PROTECTIVE WORK.
The labors of the standing protective
committee have been exceedingly oner-
Gus, underwriting and phenomenally
successful since the adjournment of our
convention held in Atlanta.
The success accomplished thus far ex-
ceeded our most sanguine expectations,
and the report of the committee, which
will be presented, will doubtless afford
you much qualification.
The labor involved in the diligent
prosecution of the protective work of
our association, the time and care con-
stantly needed, the responsibility of
quick exercise of discretion, the volum-
nous correspondence, personal CONFER
=cnpoht or oil no inc
necessity of economy, linked with I'M
stinted expenditure when apparently
justified, cannot be estimated except
by the gentlemen constituting the COM
mittee, who have unselfishly devoted
themselves to the task assigned to
them, and have found it and the re-
sponsibilities exceedingly burdensome
and materially interfering with their
attention to their own legitimate pro-
fessional duties.
The protective feature of our work
has been this year the greater factor
in attracting new members, and the ex-
traordinary success that has crowned
our efforts not only stimulates to in
creased, energetic exertion, but guar
antees that such redoubled effort will
in due time exterminate the profession
al forgers, burglars and check raisers
who have for years preyed on our
banks and bankers.
1t is our determination to wage an
unrelenting war against these GRIMM
ais, who already understand that the
American Bankers association is on
their track, and they are rapidly ap-
preciating and avoiding the great risk
;y,
our members.
The cost of the work during this
year, managed as economically as
consistent with efficiency, has been
| considerable but the results are worth
| infinitely more than the thousands of
| dollars expended.
Experience of similar organizations
is that each year of such work faith
fully and zealously performed costs less
than the preceding years, and that af-
ter four or five years the expense will
be nominal in comparison.
The skillful professional bank GRIM
inals appear to have ample means with
which to employ able counsel.
When we secure their arrest and in
| generation, our work is far from COM
pleted;' we must watch their trial I'M
| til closed by their conviction, and only
relax our efforts when they are SEN
fenced and securely put behind the
| bars.
1t is estimated that the increased
| schedule of dues for the present year
will yield from thirty to thirty-two
thousand dollars. and that this sum
will be sufficient for the protective
work and other expenses of the asso-
citation.
The secretary of the association in
forms me that the membership of the
American Bankers association repre-
sents, in round figures, eight hundred
and sixty million dollars of capital and
surplus.
Thirtytwo thousand dollars Is q
small percentage of that amount, say
about four-elevenths of one-hundredth
of one per cent.
All the banks and bankers Of the
United States should identify them.
selves with this association and cheer.
fully contribute to it's efforts to pro.
tect it's members from the depredations
of professional criminals.
The schedule of dues was fixed by
amendments adopted at our last con.
vention. Attention has been called
to the fact that bank having capita
and'surplus of five or six million of dol
lars pays thirty dollars annual dues