The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-11-14
BANKERS IN SESSION.
Large Attendance and Addresses by
Prominent Financicrs.

New Orleans, November 1.-THE
twenty-eighth annual convention of the
American Bankers Association assem-
bled in Tulane Hall today, beginning a
meeting of the association ever held,
n the largest aggregation Of finan-
ciers ever gathered at one time in the
history of the country. Up 10 a late
hour tonight, there had been 100 dele
gates registered and nearly 500 visitors
and ladies'. Several special trains. a
dozen private cars q every regular
train for the past three days has been
engaged in bringing the cow which
has taken complete possession of the
st. Charles Hotel. the headquarters, and
overflowed into every other hotel in the
city.
AT the opening session there was
prayer by Rev. DR.. Beverly Warner,
and addresses of welcome were deliv-
ed by Acting Mayor William Mehle.
and City Attorney Samuel L. Gilmore,
on behalf of the local Presi-
dent Herrick replied to the welcome and
delivered his annual address.
The formal business was then taken
up. This consisted in the reception of
reports of officers and committees.
Secretary J. r. Branch's report Show
ed a present membership of 1854 with
an nnual income of s67. $40. Theme was
a net increase in membership during
the year of 973.
Chairman F. NJ. Bigelow OF the exc
cutive council, submitted a report. in
the course of which it was stated that
the currency plan of Mr.. HEPBURN was
endorsed in so far as it suggested the
issuance of currency by Larks of $50
mn m nita1 and 2o0 nn0 .,rpI,I RS, 1870
to the extent of half of their capital
stock at q tax of 6 per cent. (One-half
per cent. per month";
Reports from the committees on uni
form laws and fidelity issuance were
then submitted.
Reports of the protective committee
and Of committee on education by the
chairman, Robert J. Lowry, were pre-
sented after which the programme was
changed so that Comptroller of the
Currency w. B. Ridgeiey could be
heard. He spoke on the change in
banking conditions.
ohn Johnston spoke on the banking
system.
Joseph j.. Brown. president of the Cit
liens National Bank Of Raleigh. N. c.,
spoke eloouently on The New South"
After the conclusion Of Mr.. Browns
address, the convention adjourned until
tomorrow.
The nomination committee, composed
of delegates from each of the states
has fixed upon the following officers:
President-Caldwell Hardy, of Nor
folk, Va.
First Vice President-t.. S. Bigelow.
Of Milwaukee.
Members Of the executive counsel
named by the state associations: c. l..
Farrell, assistant cashier of the Capt.
toll National Bank. of indianapolis: A.
H. Virgins, vice president of the Park
National Bank. of New York: A. A.
Crane. cashier of the National Bank
OF Commerce. of Minneapolis; Luther
Drake, cashier Merchants National
Bank. Omaha; A. V. Lane, cashier Ma
tiona1 Exchange Bank, OF Dallas, Tex.
Members of the executive council at
large:
James T. Hayden. president Whitney
National Bank, New Orleans; John
Shelton Williams, president Richmond
Trust Company, Richmond, Va; Ar
thur Reynolds, president Des Moines
National Bank. Des Moines, Iowa;
David Sloan, Homecoming, Md William
L. Fenton, vice president National
Bank of the Republic. Chicago.
Tonight an informal reception was
rendered the visitors in h Palm Gar
den of the st. Charles Hotel.
The asset currency and branch bank
ing questions will be taken up tomor-
row. A resolution has been submitted
by A. J.. Frame, of milwaukee,, opposing
both projects, which has already met
the approval of a majority OF the del
egates. Congressman Fowler, chairman
of the banking AMI currency committee
them. and explain the purposes of his
currency bill. The two leading eandi-
dates for the next convention are Seat
tie and San Francisco.