The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-03
EDUCATION OF BANK CLERKS.
Plan Suggested Mt the Convention of
bankers at Richmond.

BRnkers ut Richmond.
RICHMOND, Va. Oct. 2-one of the
features of today's session of the American
Bankers Associations convention was the
report Of the Committee on Education, pre-
sented by William c. CornwelI, Chairman
The report. which was devoted to THE
Need and Desire of an Education on the
Part of the Bank Clerk" follows. in part:
As never before there is required in
every branch of business the NEST thor
ough training. scientific and technical,
for the attainment of success under the
intense 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 it's tremendous export increase
for the business 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 OF any and
all knowledge and training which will
help them TO do their work better and
more intelligent1y.
Your committee is approached in many
ways on this subject. For instance, here
is "A letter written to a leading journal
by a bank clerk. He says in part:
into the many financial questions. the
mastery CT which is so essential to a sue
cessful career.
My position is such that l am unable
to take one of the courses that have been
established in some of our universities,
but 1 desire to take advantage Of any OPP
portunity within my reach which will
better fit me for my life work.
is the Educational Committee of the
missionary work in this direction? Would
an application to the committee be pro-
ductive of beneficial results?
ANY information you can give me in
regard to this matter will be greatly ap-
preciated.
Trusting that may be favored with a
reply, / remain" etc.
The Minneapolis bank clerks last year
formed an association for study, lectures,
and examinations. II is today in success
full operation. The clerks decided not to
wait for the American Bankers Associa-
ton. The Seaboard National Bank, New
York City, has remarkably effective
course of study and examinations for its
clerks in successful operation.
The movement is progressing with no
one to guide it. This committee has al
ready reported the receipt of a petition
signed by large number of bank clerks
in two principal cities asking the COM
mittee to take up the matter of the for
nation of an institute.
There Is no question that the formation
of a chain of bank clerks associations
throughout the United States is perfectly
feasible, and that, conducted on proper
lines, it will do vast amount OF good,
that after the first year or so it can be
made entirely self-supporting, and that, If
1t is not done by some such body as the
American Bankers Association, the work
will go on as in Minneapolis, spontaneous
ly. but in spots. and no such general and
immediate good results can be accomplished
as by complete organization.
To properly organize such an institu-
ton would necessitate the employment Of
man OF frst-class abilities, who could
devote his entire time 10 the work as Sec
rotary of the committee.
The work would be the preparation OF q
plan Of study and meetings for the winter.
This would be gotten out in consultation
with practical bankers and educators Tho
secretary would then start in to organize
one at a time the bank clerks assocla-
lions in every city. In a given city at
certain time. and in cooperation with the
bank officers of that city, meeting of the
clerks would be called at which the COM
mittee's secretary would be present and
the organization in that city perfected, Of
ficers elected and plans adopted.
The plan would include monthly meet
ings of the association of that city at
which the various subjects under study
would be discussed. papers read, debates
carried on. or lectures delivered from
time to time by local or outside talent.
At the end OF the season in the spring,
examinations would be held, and certii-
Gates OF proficiency delivered to those
members entitled to them.
The course of study would be OF the
most practical character connected with
everyday transactions of banking business
and for the first year would be essentially
primary. The course could end, il so de-
cided, by a banquet rendered by the local
bankers to the associated clerks
Aside from every other consideration,
the fraternal feeling which would be fos-
tered among the clerks and the esprit and
devotion engendered between employed
and their employers should be of great ad-
vantage in carrying on business.
Here there is a work of the most
practical character squarely in line with
the aims of the American Bankers AS
ISOLATION. entirely feasible. involving no
large outlay of money and calculated, II
successfully conducted, to do an amount
of good which cannot be measured and
which will influence favorably the lives
and fortunes of hundreds of young men
who are growing up in our banks. They.
themselves, have appealed to you through
your committee for encouragement and
guidance 1t is a cry out OF Macedonia
will this great association with it's ample
means and its vast influence take up this
work which means so much for the future
success of the bank clerks of this coun-
Try means so much for improvement in
the work of that splendid STAFF of young
rnen on whom We rely for the safe. honest,
and successful conduct OF our business.
These are the men behind the guns.
VIII you train them as they ask 50 that
their work may be doubly effective? Or
viii you neglect them, abandon them to
their own efforts. and let the service drift
along half disciplined and yourselves take
the consequences OF continuing to conduct
your campaign with an unframed army?
FORGED DISPATCHES SENT.