The Washington times., 1903-01-30
WILLIAMS SYNDICATE
TO START A BANK HERE
Charter for American Ma
tional Bank Approved.
OFFICERS NOT YET SELECTED
VIII Probably Be Established in Down
Town District-Fiduciary Agent
Here for Large Interests.

John SHELTON Williams, representing
the syndicate in control Of the Seaboard
Air Line, following the failure of sew
eraI tenders to buy out various exist
ing local banking institutions, viii
create a bank here which will be the
fiduciary repository and agent in Wash
ington of the Williams syndicate and its
large railroad and other corporate in
terests.
The Comptroller Of the Currency yes
terday approved the application for q
charter for the American National
Bank Of Washington D c. The ap-
pIication bore the names OF Robert n.
Harper, William H Saunders, William
F. Lynn, R H. Lynn, Benjamin s. Minor,
and ". B. HIbbs. The capital stock of
the bank is to be 5000, 900.
Downtown Offices
Negotiations are now under way for
the selection Of a location for the busi-
ness. While no positive information is
to be had, 1t is authoritativeIy credited
that the bank will choose a downtown
Office, in the neighborhood Of the
United States Treasury.
The opening Of the doors of the new
bank awaits only the selection Of off,
GERS and offices, and the installation Of
furniture and clerical force. There
is evident purpose TO do business al
the earliest moment possible.
It is understood that the capital for
the new enterprise is entirely or in
the larger part furnished by the VII
liams' syndicate, under whose control
it will operate. The suggestion that the
money is to be furnished elsewhere,
and the syndicate cooperate with ii
under an agreement is not considered TO
be either fact or a practical arrange
ment.
r H Lynn and William F. Lynn,
whose names appear among the appIi-
cants for the charter are father and son,
and residents of Leesburg- The son is
cashier Of the Loudoun County National
Bank and both are connected with a
chain of Virginia country banks. another
OF winch is located at Manassas
Robert y. Harper is q Yirginian, well
known IN this city. where he makes his
home. He is a large owner Of real
estate here, and was for years connected
with a drug enterprise
Benjamin s. Minor Is a member Of the
local legal firm Of Berry & Minor. viii
liam Saunders is a real estate dealer
Of this city. ". B. Hibbs is the head Of a
stock brokerage concern here
Mr.. Harper Noncommittal.
Mr.. Harper, who appears to have con-
Quoted the negotiations for the banks
charter. refuses at this time. to discuss
the matter or confirm that the Williams
syndicate is connected with the enter
prise. He suggests that the public draw
its own conclusions. Whatever the plans
are he declines at present to give the
details, but promises that full informa-
tion viii be forthcoming later.
Mr. Hibbs IS authority for the state
ment that the syndicate is connected
with the deal.
The Williams syndicate made at least
three attempts TO come to terms with
local banking institutions. The Traders
Bank and the West End Bank rejected
his proposals. The price demanded by
the Citizens Bank, it is said on good
authority, was considered excessive by
the syndicate and this deal also fell
through.