Evening star., 1897-06-05
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Men in Charge Of the Metropolitan
Bank.
Well-Known Business Men Chosen as
DfrcctOrs-The PrObab BILE Policy
to Be Adopted.

One of the most interesting local happen
ings of the week was the election OF a'new
board of directors for the National Met
ropolitan Bank. The transfer of the bank
into new hands attracted more attention
than it would otherwise have done Hfrom
the fact that the prime movers in the; deal
were the same gentlemen who had, such
a short time before, purchased the con
trolling interest in the Bank of the Re-
public, also one Of the oldest and strongest
of the local banks For this reason the
election of a board of directors and a. new
set of officers for the Metropolitan Bank
was looked forward to as a matter OF a
great deal Of importance in the financial
world Of Washington. Iel -5t
That Mr. E. Southard Parker would prob
ably be chosen as the head OF the institu-
ton was predicted in The Star within
day or two after the announcement hau
been made that Mr.. s. w. Woodward and
Mr. Parker had secured a majority OF the
stock. 1t was generally believed that MI
Woodward would remain at the head OF
the Bank Of the Republic, to which posi-
tion he had already been elected. me
election of Mr.. Parker as president ana
of Mr.. Woodward as vice president or the
Metropolitan was. therefore, not In the
nature of a surprise. For time there
" as cOnSlQeTaDle gossip 1lOIS TIC clASot
as to the real significance of the big bank
deal, but this is beginning to subside, ana
the general impression prevails that the
two big banks will simply continue to do
business as they have always done. IN a
strong and conservative but progressive
manner.
The transfer brought into the directorate
of the Metropolitan several new men, but
i:,ess world as men of means and promi-
nence. Mr.. Parker is a trained banker OF
long experience, having been actively iden-
titled with the business in Pennsylvania
before he came to Washington to become
the cashier of the then recently organized
Columbia Bank. When Mr.. B. H. Warner
resigned president of that successful In
stitution, Mr.. Parker was elected to sue
ceed him, and has filled the Office in an
eminently satisfactory manner ever since.
Under his direction, seconded by Mr.. Geo.
H. B. White, who has long been the CASH
Ter, it is probable that the policy of the
bank will not be materially changed from
what 1t was under the regime of Mr..
Thompson. Mr.. Woodward is one of the
hest-known men in Washington, and his
connection with any institution Is always
regarded as an element of strength. Ever
since he came here with his partner, Mr..
A. M. Lothrop, and opened up In business
on comparatively small scale in Market
space, the success Of the firm has been re-
markabe, although the reasons for 1t have
not been hard to find. Mr.. Woodward has
always been actively identified with church
anu WOTh anu mas given
largely Of his means in various forms Of
charity. He is the president of the Wash
irgton board Of trade and is connected with
many other local institutions.
OF the directors MeSSrs. W. B. Gurley
and G. H. B. White are the only members
OF the old board who were continued in Of
fee. Mr.. Gurley is still a comparatively
young man. He was formerly connected
with the gas company, but for a number of
years past has been in active business for
himself. He has achieved a considerable
me asure of success. Mr.. Whites history Is
SO closely identified with that of the Metro
politan Bank that 1t is difficult to think Of
one without associating the other with it.
He entered the bark q good many years
ago in a subordinate position, and his ad-
vancement since then has been steady and
deserved. He rose through the yarious po-
sitions until he was finally made assistant
cashier. and twenty years ago or mare he
was chosen to the responsibleqpositton of
cashier. He Is one of the best informed
banking men in Washington. HE ies con-
servative, but far-sighted, and. the,,bank
has any number of clients whosdn business
matters. rely implicitly upon Mr.. Whites
Judgment. is
Mr.. Henry K. Willard. who succeeded his
father on the board, is a young man of fine
business ability and of high character He
many friends of the Willard family are
g.ad to see that the younger generation Is
business life. u 10
MT. y. b. winner lS prOgfeSSlV6 real
estate man. To him is largely due the
credit for opening up and Identifying the
section at the head Of Connecticut avenue,
known as Washington Heights. He has
been mainl, interested In suburban real
estate, and has made a substantial fortune
with the rise Of values in recent years.
Mr.. John T. Armes Ia also well known as
a real estate man and man of means.
MFR. John B. Larner IL a lawyer with
large and lucrative practice and is identi-
fed with several business Institutions in
the city. notably the Washington Loan and
Trust Company. of which he il the general
counsel. The ninth member of the board
has not yet been elected. a:lf
TO Avert Collisions ON the Water.
The Senate yesterday agreed to the
a.a,.aa =