Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-01-25
coM9TRoLLER EcxLGs.
Writes State Governors Asking LeglslatIsn
to Secure UnifOrm Hank Reports.

" se~1n Se0VO NOV0IuOTb sAo0h Ak A<C0s~AS~s~~-
to Secure Unif0rn Hank Reports.
Washing ton, Jan. 24.--Mr. Eckles, the
comptroller cfthe currency. has cent the
following letter to the governors OF all the
states, relative to state banks:
have the honor to direct your atten-
ton to the act of congress, passed in
1873, Incorporated into the revised stat
utes OF the United States as section 1888.
authorizing the comptroller of the cur
rency to incorporate In his annual report
to congress, In addition to specific lnfor-
nation relative tos national banks, q
statement exhibiting under appro-
pirate heads the resources and liabilities
and condition of the banks, banking
companies and savings banks organized
| under the laws of the several states ana
territories. such information to be OBJ
tanned by the comptroller from the
reports made by such banks, banking
companies and savings banks to the leg
islatures and officers of the different
states and territories, and where such
reports cannot be obtained, the def
cheney to be supplied from such other
authentic resources as may be available.
Since that date, and in compliance with
this provision of law. reports issued
from this bureau have contained all pos
Sihle information obtainable, in respect
the condition of banks and banking
institutions. AS you are doubtless
aware, there is no other officer of the
United States charged by law with the
duty of collecting and publishing bank
ing statistics, and it is, therefore, neces-
saly that the comptroller of the cur
| rency shall haze the required informa-
tion and in order that the most satisfac-
tory results. may be obtained, that the
data shall he compiled approximately
at least from reports of the same date.
AT present there are nulnber of states
which make no provision for the submits
sion of reports from banks and bankers
to any public officer of the state: others,
which provide merely for an annual re-
pert of resources and liabilities of in
corporated banking institutions, and still
others which provide for the compilation
and publication of quite complete re-
turns. but too late in the year for use by
this bureau in the current reports. Too
frequently in such instances the infor-
nation is not available until about
year after its receipt.
In order that uniformity in time and
.lidIlcIlI Vi TtpOTlluS may bt SeSuitu !
have the honor to suggest that the atten-
ton of the legislature of your state be
called to the subject. and that it be re-
quested to enact such legislation as Will
result in the submission to a designated
public official of the state Of reports OF
condition by all banks. banking institu-
tons and private banks doing business
in your state at the same dates on which
national banks are required to make
their rejorts to the comptroller of the
currency. Provision also should be made
for the prompt tabulation and publica-
ton of these returns.
l enclose for your information forms
for reports of condition and dividends
and earnings. furnished to national
banks by this bureau, and suggest that
similar forms be adopted and used by
state banks and bankers. A copy of my
last annual report to congress containing
a compilation of the national bank act
and a digest of national bank decisions.
together with other information of inter-
est regarding foreign and domestic sys-
tens of banking, has been addressed to
you.
I trust that at the earliest practicable
date you will give this matter careful
consideration. and make such specific
recommendations to your legislature on
the subject as will result in the enact
ment of laws whereby the comptroller
of the currency may fully comply with
the act of CONFESS hereinbefore quoted.