New-York tribune., 1900-03-25
SAVINGS BANK SCENES.
FEATURES OF HUMBLE LIFE SEEN IN
A GREAT INSTITUTION.
BLIND CONFIDENCE AND UNREASONING SUsPI-
CION-PATHETIC INDICATIONS OF
SUFFERING.
SUFFERING

from which to gain idea of the various ele-
ments which make UP the metropolitan popula-
tion than OF the great downtown savings
banks There one may see, especially on an
Interest day." fair representatives of every
class denomination and nationality On those
days the thrifty men and women who manage
TO lay aside a part of their earnings wait
patiently in the long line to have their books
written up and to have red ink records made
of the profits which Time has made for them
But in a great concern like the Bowery Savings
Bank with its 125, 600 accounts. every business
day brings it's interesting features, and the con-
stant stream of men and women passing before
the windows of the various departments, check
ing out or depositing money, asking questions
about deposits looking for information as to
depositors telling their tales of joy and of sor-
row, never ceases to interest those men whose
business makes them part of the picture
John D. Hicks, the president of the BOwery
Bank said OF the institution: In its early days
the banks patrons were with few exceptions
men and women who spoke English. but to-day,
with Russians, Poles, Bohemians and Germans
on the east and Italians on the west all con-
tributing largely to our business, the employ
ment of linguists at every important window Is
necessary
Mr.. Hicks led the way from his office into
the lofty bank enclosure and to the desk where
the first deposits made, and there, waiting
their turn to be served and furnished Win a
book containing a record of their wealth laid
by for rainy day, were women from many
countries and various walks of life Calling at
tention to a woman who had signed her name
answered the questions to her family and
other matters for the purpose of future iden-
tifcation, he pointed to the roll OF uncounted
money which she placed in the hands of the
teller.
BOTH SIDES OF HUMAN NATURE.
'"rhis is the best place." said Mr.. Hicks Ito
how much and how little confidence some
people have in their fellow That woman
probably does not know how much money she
handed up, but she knows that it is all right
and that she will receive credit for the proper
imount But there is another side of the picture
shich shows the lack of confidence. A depOsitor
Eill make inquiry at the desk to how much
Interest has been credited to his account, and
when the sum is mentioned he is likely to ask
Well, may l draw 1t OUT? We tell him yes
and then, although he does not want the money
and deposits it again Immediately after taking
II out he draws the interest just to make sure
that the bank is not fooling him.
'The mistakes of this kind, which due to
the ignorance of the people of daily occur
renee, and II is a part of business to be
patient and, where can not educate, to humor
the people. One of the first things require
OF depostor is a signature for card
catalogue, and when find that the person
eannot write we try to persuade him to allow
member of the family who write to
become the trustee OF the account. A cross is
unsatisfactory signature. and there have
been cases where books have gone astray and
fallen into the hands of people who knew the
family history of the depositor could answer all
test questions and drew money by making the
cross
TROUBLE WITH WOULD-BE DEPOSITORS.
But have just much trouble with peo-
pie who want to get money into the bank as
with those who wish to take it out. We have
a limit of $1,000 and will take no more than
that amount from any one person. When the
limit has been reached by some people and they
have more money and know of no place to put
it for investment. they come to US with all sorts
Of stories and make all kinds of plans with a
view to increasing their account. The names of
children and other relatives used and we
often compelled to read these people a
lecture and explain to them that our bank is
not an investment institution, but a place for
the safe keeping of their money 1t Is such
occasions that the with money fer which
he knows no investment, who has business
knowledge idea to the means and ways
of the mercantile world and who is usually sus- |
piciOus as to his fellow and unwilling to
trust mis- friends to the president an
asks his advice. The big building the fact thu
we positively refuse To take his money and the |