The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-17
MUST BUY THEIR OWN STAMPS,
BANKERS ASSOCIATION PUTS THE
TAN ON CUSTOMERS.


of Next Meeting Left to the Execu-
live CounciI-EHOrt to Have the
convention Pay the Expenses of
Its entertainment Defeated.
The customer must pay the tax That is
vhat the Georgia Bankers Association de-
cided in their convention at Tybee yester-
dav. Still their resolution is more of gentle
reminder to the customer of this fact, and
if seems to leave a loophole in case of
emergencies, such as strong competition,
for banks to treat the matter about as they
please.
The discussion of the matter came up in
the convention yesterday under the head
of experience meeting, according to the
programme. The first speaker was Mr.. E.
H. Thornton, of Atlanta, who after thank
Ing the association for The delightful visit
he has had with its members, called atten-
ton 10 the new war tax measure, and es-
pecially that feature of it which imposes
tax of two cents in the shape of a stamp
on each check. note, bill of exchange and
all similar papers
President Davis considered the sugges-
ton a good one and said he would like to
hear from any member with regard to it.
MI B. 1. Hughes did not thoroughly agree
that it was matter for the association
to consider, thinking it should rather be
left to the local banks. Mr.. Jos. A. Nc
Cord of Atlanta believed as did MIR.
Hughes, that the local banks should settle
their own affairs.
Mr. L. C. Hayne of Augusta took a some
what different view of the matter. He
spoke of the tax of similar character just
after the civil war, and said he thought it
would be we'll for the association to put it,
self on record In the matter. While the
matter could be treated locally and by
each bank for itself, he considered it new
ertheless a wise plan for the association
to pave the way for the local banks by
adopting resolutions with regard to the
matter, The stamp tax was a burden, he
said, and taking into consideration the
other taxes which the banks have to pay,
the stamps should be paid for by the Gus
toners. He moved that the banks which
are members of the association require all
OF their customers to put the necessary
government stamps on their checks
Mr. b. w. Hunt of Eatonton said he
would never entertain any idea of his
bank paying for stamps for customers. The
customers should by all means pay for
them. Mr.. McCord again took the floor,
and stated that the matter had been taken
up by the directors of his bank and they
had concluded that the customers must
pay for the stamps. Doubtless, he said,
many customers will present checks with
out stamps, until they have a full under
standing of the new law, and he suggested
that IL would be wise to provide the teller
of bank with a supply of stamps, hav-
ing him deduct the two cents when the
check is cashed. He moved that the whole
matter be referred to the executive coun-
ell
Mr. ]. G.. Rhea of Griffin said he was old
enough to remember the stamp tax of the
sixties. The government, he said, would
send each bank a copy of the law, and
each bank would know how to deal with
the matter for itself. The customers would
not fail to stamp the checks, he said, be-
cause they would be liable to get in trouble
with Uncle sam If they did not He said
during the war he used to have stamps en-
Eraved on checks, charging a customer
81 25 per 100 checks, or 81 for the stamps
and % cents for the checks. He intended
to do the same thing under the new law,
he said, and make the customers pay for
the checks and the stamps, too.
There was considerable further discus
sion along the same line when the follow
ing resolution was finally offered as a sub
stitute and unanimously carried:
Resolved, That as the government re-
quires makers to stamp all checks, bills of
exchange, notes, etc, that each member
Of this association so inform his custom
ers and urge their cheerful compliance" D.
This is somewhat of a gentle reminder
70 customers that they will have TO buy
their own stamps. AT the same time it
appears to leave the matter somewhat to
the local banks, so that in case of unus-
stamps to the5r customers or not as they
saw fit. That kind of competition, how
ever, Mr.. L. c. Hayne, did not think was
proper business.
The committee on nominations reported
the following officers to serve for the en-
suing year all of whom were unanimously
elected:
Presldent-W. G. Cam of Savannah.
First Vice President-J. G. Rhea of
Griffin.
Second Vice President-P. L. May of Au-
gusta.
Third Vice President-E. H. Thornton
of Atlanta.
Fourth Vice President-B. W. Hunt of
Eatonton.
Fifth Vice Presidents. w. Peek of
Hartwen.
Secretary-B. P. Iillyer of Macon.
TreasuTer-GeoPge HiPlant of Macon.
Executive Council--F. Z. Hardwick of
4yAAOOh5 SAdh a. GidNSS VI SpdIldI
T. D. Meador of Atlanta, Thomas Eason
of 'McRae, G. A. Speer of LaGrange, f.
d. Bloodworti Of Savannah, w b. Slade
OF Columbus, A. j. Carver of Dawson and
Charles ID. Hurt Of Macon.
A committee of three, consisting of
Messrs. /. P. Hillyer of Macon b. w.
Lane of Valdosta and w. l.. Mardre of
Lumpkin was appointed bysPresident Da-
Wis to conduct the new president to the
platform, and to install the new officers.
President Cam took the chair and in a
brief speech thanked the association for
the honor which it had con-
ferred upon him, and said he
would do everything in his power
Tor Its progress and advancement Votes
OF thanks were rendered TO the retiring
president, to the Savannah clearing house,
proprietor Charles +. Graham OF Hotel
Iybee and to the Savannah Yacht Club,
Tor entertainment and other courtesies
Several letters were read by the secre-
tary from members of the association, who
found IL Impossible to attend. Short
speeches We're made by several of the
newly elected officers
4