The evening times., 1900-10-02

session TO order at 10 O'Clock this morn
ing.
Among the addresses to be delivered
are: 'The Treasury and the Money Mar
ket,'' by Hon. Ellis H. Roberts, Treasurer
OF the United States: THE Financial Fu-
ture of the United States,'' by Charles A.
Conant, OF the New York Journal of
Commerce" and THE Education of a
Banker" by George Hague, general man
ager Of the Bank CT Canada.
The delegates will hold their sessions
on the roof garden Of the Hotel Jefferson,
and overflow for committee work into ad-
joining rooms. Governor Tyler extended
Vfrginia's welcome and Mayor Taylor, Of
Richmond. gave the freedom Of the city
to che visitors.
After this Col ]. B, Purcell, in the alb
sence of President Newton. Of the Rich
mond Clearing House. made few re-
marks, and a speech or two in reply ended
the preliminaries. Then the real work
began and reports OF various conniLteSS
were received.
The four days programme touches some
of the chief discussions in which barkers
are interested
Secretary James r. Branch, of New
York read his annual report. 1t showed
per cent since october I, 1855, when 1,51l
memberships were reported. The comblu-
ed assets and deposits of the banks In
membership show an increase OF $S49, 9,299,-
675 over the figures last year.
The president delivered his annual ad-
dress in which he reviewed the new con-
ditions confronting the bankers of the
country and financial legislation in general.
Education OF Bank Clerks
Among the most interesting reports
made today was that of the Committee on
Education, of which William c. Cornwen
is chairman. The topic was The reed
of and desire for an education on the part
of the bank clerk and the report in part
said:
''As never before there is required in
every branch OF business the most 4 o.
ough training. scientific and technical, for
the attainment of success under the in
tense competition that prevails. In no
business is this truer perhaps than in the
business of banking IN this country,
country which is reaching out through its
tremendous export increase for the busI-
ness of the world
There is abundant evidence that the
young men who are doing the clerical
work in banks in the United states are
anxious to avail themselves CT any and
all knowledge and training which Will
help them TO do their work better and
more intelligentiy.
Your committee is approached in
many ways on this subject. For instance,
here IS letter written TO a lead ng
journal by a bank clerk. Il says in
part:
1t is my endeayor to get an insight
into the many financial questions, the
mastery of which is so essential to a
successful career. My position is such
that / am unable to take one of the
b9v
some of our universities. but desire to
take advantage of any opportunity with
in my reach which will better fit me foc
my life work
Is the educational committee Of the
American Bankers Association doing ny
missionary work in this direction?
Would an application to the committee
be productive cf beneficial results Any
information you can give me IN regard
to this matter Will be greatly apDre
ciated-
The Minneapolis bank clerks last year
formed an association for study, lee
lures, and examinations It is today in
successful operation. The clerks de
cided not to wait for the American
Bankers Association The Seab ard Ma
tio'al Bank, New York city, has a re
naskably effective course of study and
examinations fer its clerks in successful
operation
Petition for an Institute.
The movement is progressing with NJ
one to guide it, This committee has al
ready reported the receipt of a petition
signed by large number of tank
eIerka in two principal cities aszlng the
committee TO take up the matter OF the
formation of an institute.
There is no question that the foTma.
tion Of a chain of Bank Clerks Assocla-
tions throughout the United States is per
fectly feasible. and that, conducted on
proper lines, it will do d vast amount OF
good that after The first year or so it can
be made entirely self-supporting, and that,
if it is lot done by some such body as the
American Bankers Association, the wOrK
viii go on as in Minneapolis, spontaneous
ly. but in spots, and no such general and
immediate good results can be accomplish
ed is by complete organization
TO properly organize such an institu-
tion would necessitate the employment of
Il man Of first-cIass abilities. who could
devote his entire time to the work as sec
fetary of tle committee. The work would
be the preparation of plan of study and
meetings fer the winter, This would he
gotten out n consultation with practical
bankers and educators. The secretary
would then start in to organize one at
tine me Bank Clerks Association in ev-
cry city. II 3 given city at a certain time
ard in cooperation with the bank officers
tii tIlttI tttN IileStt44E 5I Inc CteFRS would
b called a. WhiCh the committees secre,
tary would be present and the orsaniza-
ton III that city perfected. officers elected,
RLd mans adopted
Thc Plan Outlined.
"Thc plan would include monthly meet.
irss Of the association OF that city at
wFleh the var Gus subjects under study
weald be discvs Sod, papers read. debates
carried. On. or : lures delivered from time
Z, me by local or outside talent At the
eng Of the season IN the s9ring. examina-
t.oaT would be held, and certificates of
proficiency delivered to those members en-
t.tled 70 t2em.
The course CT study would be of the
nest practical character connected with
everyday transactions of banking business
ard fer the first year would be essentially
primary The course could end, if so de-
cided, by & banquet rendered by the local
bankers TO the associated clerks. Aside
from every other consideration. The fro
ternal feeling which would be fostered
among tie clerks and the esprit and de-