The herald., 1897-04-20
Surplus ..............A..........aocS.92 2

The fifth annual convention of the
California Bankers association, which
was opened in this city yesterday. under
the presidency of Mr. N. d. Rideout, and
a report of which will be found in an
other column, was made the occasion
for the delivery Of some carefully pre-
pared addresses of Importance to the
banking interests and also to those
whose business requires them to make
use of the facilities afforded by the
banks. These gatherings should be
more extensively attended by merchants
and business men generally. furnishing.
as they do, opportunities for becoming
familiar with the elittle-understood work.
ings of the Institutions which transact
the financial business of the country.
The discussion which was started by
Mr.. c. Altschue of the London, Paris
and American bank, upon the question
of whether or not the checks of a GUS
toner should be returned to him by the
bank with which he does business, was
quite interesting. The banker. looking
to his own interest and protection.
should, II Is argued, be entitled to re-
tain the possession of the vouchers un-
der which he has paid out his customers
money. 1t was suggested that the pass
book should be written up with the
number. date and name of the payee of
each check, and that this information
would be all that the customer would
desire. II he wanted further information
or to see any Of his checks. he could do
so at the bank at any time,
On the other hand, 1t may be urged
that one great inducement for doing
business through q bank Is the facility
which Is given for the keeping of the
checks by the customer as vouchers.
many people In ordinary. business trans
actions demanding no other vouchers
than the Endorsement Of a check by the
payee to whom It is given, the feeling
being that such Endorsement Is the best
possible proof Of the actual payment OF
the money and a voucher that Is of so
great Importance to the drawer that
It should be and remain In his possess
sion.
The Visit Of the bankers at this time
gives those of them who come from the
north an opportunity for becoming bet
ter acquainted with the business condi-
tions and with the people OF the south
ern part of the state.
Gen. Forman, as president Of the
chamber of commerce, voiced the senti-
menus OIL tne DueluesS community III
recognising the Importance Of the con-
vention. with It's possible results af-
fecting future legislation, and his warm
welcome of the visitors will be every
where most heartily seconded.
Mr.. John J. Valentine, president OF
Well Fargo & Cos. express will deliver
an address before the California Bank
ers association this morning. at
10 o'clock, at the rooms OF the
Concordia club. adjoining the Burbank
theater The subject of Mr.. Valentines
paper is "Bimetallism." The meeting Is
open to the general public and the at
tendance Of those interested in the
topic Of the promised paper. is invited.
The past week has been rather a quiet
one in San Francisco real estate circles,
as there have been no sensational sales.
Business, in fact, has been rather light.
and. Judging from present prospects,
there will be no immediate advance in
prices. Demands are chiefly made for
interest-paying business properties.
There is little inquiry being made for
residences, and trade in unimproved
outside lands except In the best sections
of the Richmond district is almost at a
standstill.