The evening times., 1900-09-28
HANNA's DEMAND ON BANKS.
A Call for $50, 900 From baltimore
Financial Institutions.

"a SNka ZOE sFSO,OOO
Financial Institutions.
BALTIMORE, Sept 2S.-AH illustration
Of the methods by which Mark Hanna
hopes to carry this country for Mckinley
and the Republican party was developed IN
Baltimore last week at a specially called
meeting OF the Baltimore Clearing House
| Association, which includes in its member
ship all the national bank presidents IN
the city. as well as other bankers and men
of large means.
Just prior to the meeting according to
! the statement of one OF the most pT omi-
nent bank presidents in the city, individ-
ual tips straight from Mr. Hanna were re-
ceiyed by certain WelI-knoWn gentlemen IN
Baltimore who have affiliated with the
Mckinley cause to the effect that $4,000
| was expected from the national banks of
Baltimore as their contribution TO the
campaign fund of the Republican party.
The tip was not exactly welcome one,
but it was thought wise not to pass it by,
and almost Immediately the call for the
meeting Of the Clearing House Association
was issued
At that meeting the request of Senator
Hanna was laid before the members OF the
association for their consideration Con-
siderable difference of opinion was manl-
tested in regard to full compliance with
the wishes of the National Chairman. and
for while matters looked squally. II was
urged that this was a necessary contriDu-
tion and that for the welfare of the fiEan-
cial institutions which it represented the
association should raise the money. 1t
was alse. it is said. made very plain that
the national hanks, being repositories for
the funds of the Government. wera looked
to for support by the Administration bs-
cause OF that fact
The final result Of the meeting was the
| passage of a resolution by the associa-
tion deciding to raise the $50, 600 Tor the
purpose of aiding in the election of Mr..
/ Mckinley The amount which each bank
was expected to contribute was appor-
! toned and complete arrangements for
raising the fund were made.
On the day after the meeting the reso-
| luton passed by the Clearing House As
| soeiation came up before the boards OF
| directors of the various national banks
/ in the city. when each board was ex-
/ pected to appropriate the amount ALT
/ ted TO it TO raise. AT some Of the hoard
meetings matters were even less harmo-
nious than at the meeting of the Clear
/ ing House Association
The president of one of the weaiLhi-
! est and strongest banks in the city is
/ the authority for the story of the m.rn-
ner in which the Clearing House AsSo-
citation resolution was received at Cne OF
/ the banks included in the list. He says
( that when the matter was brought up
/ and it was proposed that the board nf
I directors appropriate the sum assigned
! to it a Democratic member of the bo&rl
/ arose and desired to know what tn s
! money was to be used for and where II
/ was going.
rs it," he asked. Ito be divided equal
! iy between the Democratic eni Republic
can partes?
1t was explained to him that the non
ey was intended to go entirely TO the
Republican National Committee. and to
be used exclusively for the purpose OF
( eIecting William Mckinley ana insuIing
/ the defeat Of Mr.. Bryan and the nemc-
| cratic ticket, which, it was declared,
/ was against the money Interests Of he
country.
When the Democratic director fully took
! in the situation he began to object and he
did so with such yigor and persistence
that affairs in the board room became very
lively and considerable excitement was
/ created. Attempts were made by Republic
can members of the board to argue, con-
ciliate and reason with the director wno
/ objected and it was pointed out 10 him
| that il was for the bank s own good that
the contribution was to be made. The
arguments and reasoning were OF no avail
The Democratic director contended that
the bank had no right 70 appropriate its
stockholders money for political purposes.
Any individual who desired 10 contribute
/ mouey TO the Republican campaign fund
be argued had a right TO do so. but he did
not believe a bank had that right and tle
{ would not consent TO it.
! After many more words ii became evil
dent to the other directors that the OBJ
jecting member Of the board did not in
tend to change his views on the question
and was prepared 10 do all he could ID
prevent the appropriation OF the money
by his bank. The whole matter was
| therefore dropped by the board and nc
action was taken.
| The friends of the Democratic director
say that as long as he retains his connec-
tion with the bank the money will not be
appropriated.
/ 1t is stated that the reason the board
OF directors did not pass the resolution II
spite of the Democratic member was be-
cause it was understood if such thins
had been attempted he as stockholdel
would have gotten out an injunction IL
prevent the appropriation Of the money
by the bank.
On good authority. it is said, the stock
holders in these national banks know moth
ing of the movement to present the Repub
liean National Committee with $50, Gee
and some strenuous objections are expected
when they become informed,
1t is supposed that the other nationa
banks in the city have appropriated tht
required sum. and it may have already
been forwarded to the Republican Commit
tee It is understood that the larger par
of the money will be used in Maryland I
carry this State for Mckinley. The creates
secrecy is being maintained in regard L
the action of the Clearing House and th'
following step taken by the banks
h~ERTcAN eFoFS ABROAD