The Washington times., 1903-01-11
For Twenty-Five Years the
CitU Has Had a
Stock Exchange That Has
Piaued d Prominent
Part in the
Development Of
Washington S Business
Interests.
After Moving It's
Headquarters Several Times.
the Change
IS Now Housed in The
Adams Building on F Street.
7 n hack room of the Adams Build

the most unique but, nevertheless.
important organizations in Washington.
Every day from 12:15 to O'Clock a
group Of men who form the backbone of
the city's business and financial in
terests gathers here for a common pur-
pose. It is here that the values of
District securities are made.
It is the Washington Stock Exchange.
Not so vast a place as the famous
change of New York. Not the tremen-
dous whirlpool of frantic energy, bus
tie, and wild panic of fortunes chang
ing hands with startling rapidity. But
a strenuous place. Notwithstanding.
For nearly twenty-five years Wash
ington has had stock exchange. Merely
its growth in that time, and a glance at
the list Of names of the men who are
its members speaks oonclusfvely Of its
power and influence in the financial
circles of the Capital.
Founded IN 1881.
The local stock exchange dates its
origin from October "a. 1881. At that
time Messrs. D. ". Middleton. H. D.
Cooke, A F. Bateman. John Corson, and
II. E. Ofley met and framed a call TO
a number OF the prominent brokers and
real estate agents for 9 meeting to dis
cuss plans for the formation Of a stock
exchange. The result OF their efforts
was al that could be desired, and the
gentlemen interested at once set about
the organization Of an exchange. The
officers chosen were G. H. B. White.
president; H. D Cooke. vice president;
Jacob W Ker, treasurer. and a. c.
Bateman. secretary
Another meeting was held two DAYS
later. when several other persons we're
admitted 30 membership. Only few
days elapsed before the exchange was
1eady for business.
Has Moved Several Times.
For a while the organization was
housed in room in the building where
Mr.. Cooke had offices. but owing
10 its rapid development it was later
moved to rooms in the Corcoran Build
ing. The removal 10 its. present quarters
in the Adams Building followed later.
The present officers are: William A.
Mearns. president; Charles P. Williams.
vice president Walter Heiston. treas
urer. and Thomas L. Hume. secretary.
By an act Of the constitution Of the
body adopted on November IA, 1890. the
entire management Of the business Of the
exchange, together with the added power
Of eIecting members, was delegated to a
board OF governors. The board is at
present composed OF William B. Hibbs,
president; D. A. Creeulees. secretary
". r. Decide, ". J. Father. R. a.
Johnson, and J. ". Green.
The President.
william a. Mesrns. president Of the
Washington stock Exchange. was ad-
uItted to membership in the body in
1891. He is Hs mber of the banking
firm Of Lewis Johnson & CO.. d director
Of the National safe Deposit, savings
and Trust Company, a member Of the
Board Of Trade and Of the District bar.
Charles P. Williams. vice president Of
the exchange, was one Of the original
members. He is member Of the firm
Of Boomer. Ffou1ke & Co, brokers. and
a director Of the West End National
Bank.
Thomas L. Hume, secretary, is Of the /
firm Of Thomas L. Hume & Bro. brokers. |
Mr.. Hume was elected a member Of the
exchange in 1900
Walter Heiston. the present treasurer.
has Been associated with Wescott & !
wilcox in the real estate business since
1858. He is a director Of the Potomac
Insurance Company and the District IL /
tie Company. and has been actively in
terested in many Of the city's corpora
tions- He. became a member Of the stock /
Exchange in March. 1895.
Bankers and Real Estate Men.
William J. FIather, a member OF the /
board OF governors Of the exchange. be i
came a member in December. 1887. He
is the assistant cashier and a director |
of the Riggs National Bank.
". Riley Decide, who is a member. Of /
the governing committee Of the ex-
change. formed his connection with the
organization in 1884 He is man of va
ried business interests. He is at present !
The vice president Of the Lincoln Fire In
euFanee Company, a director and second /
vice president Of the National Safe De-
post Savings and Trust Company, and |
has been connected with the First Co