The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-06-17
Reels Off Figures Like a
Steam Driven Man.
OUR BANKERS LISTEN
Outside a Head of Lustrous Silver. In
side a Hum and Glitter as of a FL
nancial Ball. Besides, He's
Kissed the BIarney
Slime
Especial to News and Observer.

Especial to News and Observer
Asheville, N. c., June 15.-The
eighth annual convention of the North
Carolina Bankers Association is hold
ing its session in the ball room of the
Battery Park Hotel. There are about
$50 bankers in attendance, represent
ing the principal cities and towns in
the State
The convention was called to order
at 10 O'Clock this morning by Presi-
dent Lee II. Battle, and after prayer
by Rev. w. T. Capers President Battle
read his annual address. The annual
report of the secretary and treasurer
was all that could be desired, there be-
ing a net balance in the treasury, with
all debts paid, of $202.37.
The address of Hon. Ellis IL. Rob-
erts. Treasurer of the United States,
was the feature of the session. Presi-
dent Battle introducing Mr.. Roberts,
referred to him as 1.-The gifted and
honored Treasurer of the United
States and designated Mr.. Fries, of
Winston Salem, to escort the speaker
to the platform. Mr.. Roberts appear
ance on the rostrum ELECTED a round
Of applause.
An Interesting Financier.
His is a most interesting personality.
His beard and hair are as white as
SNOW. but although ripe in years, he
appears as hale and hearty as an ordi-
nary man twenty years his Junior. Mr.
Roberts has clear and distinct enun-
citation an dthe manner in which he
reeled off figures, he calls them fig
gers that reached into the millions
and even billions, without reference to
notes, excited interest and admiration.
Mr.. Roberts prefaced his address by
declaring that it was a joy to be here
with the bankers in this beautiful land
OF the sky. You have a right to be
proud of the Old North State" said
he: "of it's origin, its history, the con-
trasts of it's soil and climate and the
possibilities of a development only half
begun You do we'll to honor your
state as one of the original thirteen,
as she is one of the forty-five in which
these Appalachian heights are the
SPINAL column, giving pledge that what
God had joined together man cannot
put asunder' (Applause.)
In referring to the safety of our cur
rency, the speaker said: "The sever
est critic, the most cynical pessimist
must admit the absolute solidity of our
currency of all kinds. It's quality is eX
cellent beyond comparison with that
OF any other nation. The practical
student, the man of business and af-
fairs, has a right to ask, what about
the quantity"
I'm. Yes, We Need More.
Answering this Mr.. Roberts said
that there was need of some increase
i'm currency. He declared that gold in
our currency was not excessive; that
so far as the actual gold is involved
we can rest secure and satisfied.
The able and gifted speaker closed
his address by reference to the fast
manner in which we as people are
travelling, and said that beyond ques-
ton we were travelling fast in the mat
ter of currency. Comparing the finan-
cial world with the greyhound of the
ocean and the limited express on land,
he said: $50 we need to remember
that financially we are moving swiftly,
that the velocity renders caution inn
perative. The air brakes must be
kept in order on land. The executive
officer must stay on the bridge at sea.
Fast? Yes, surely. The speed can be
rendered safe by slowing up when we
can and watching every point when
the power is at it's full work. That,
Mr.. President and gentlemen, is your
duty and mine
A paper on "bank money orders
was also read by III. e. Jones, of Bris-
toll, Tenn.
After the reading of two papers this
afternoon the bankers were rendered
q trolley ride over the city.
The convention will adjourn tomor-
row.