The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1904-02-13

BANKS ARE ALL OPEN
In Temporary Quarters They
Resume Business.
CHECKS WERE ALL CASHED
Collection of Taxes and Water
Rents Are Suspended

baltimore Feb. PA signal proof or
the fact that Baltimore is gradually re-
Stunning its normal condition was strik-
ingly illustrated today by the circum-
stances that all the banks are opened in
their temporary quarters at the usual
banking hours, well supplied with fumes
to meet the demands for weekly pay
rolls and for all ordinary needs of those
who have money on deposit
Hundreds of depositors were at the
banks early today with checks TO be pre-
scented and all were promptly cashed.
On next Monday the regular clearings
will begin and general banking operations
will be resumed The vaults OF all the
national banks in Baltimore have now
been opened, and in each the contents
were found 10 be absolutely not dam
aged in any respect whatever Charles
c. Homer. president of the Clearing
House association, expressed himself to-
day as being more hopeful than ever as
to the quick restoration of healthy finan-
cial conditions in Baltimore. To mini
mize as far as possible the hardships
under which the inhabitants now suffer
Mayor McLane and his municipal asso
ciates have decided to temporarily sus-
pend the collection of taxes and water
rents. it having been discovered that the
city has enough money on hand. as the
result of large collections in January, to
meet all requirements for an indefinite
period.
Several insurance claims were paid to-
day, and leading agents here say that at
least $1,000 900 have already been paid
out ard that many millions in checks
have been received here and are now on
deposit ready to be paid out after some
partial adjustments have been made
They say that the big companies have
deposited a much larger amount in New
York subject to the order of agents.
Squads of laborers from the street
cleaning department started into the
burned district today and the work of
pulling down walls removing debris and
digging out safes was quickly resumed.
1t was announced today by the mayor
and committee Of public safety that no
building permits will be issuel until a
plan is adopted for the re-sligning OF
certain thoroughfares whose crookedness
and narrOwness have long constituted
blemsh as well as embarrassment to
municipal growth The mayor and com
mittee of safety are resolved that shells
of buildings shall not be run UP between
fire proof structures as in the past. to
serve as a standing invitation to flames.
The business situation appeared bright
er Today than at any time since the great
catastrophe. The regular transaction of
business in the chamber of commerce. in
Guiding displays of southern grain. hay
straw and mill feed, and the three usual
calls and the posting of out of town mar
| kets, together with the receipt of grain
| by elevators and The payment Of all
checks by banks. were events that estab-
lished confidence throughout the business
community. Secretary Shaw's splendid
response to the calls for currency has ex-
cited the admiration of all financiers here
BY his prompt action all obstacles were
swept away and the sub-treasury is able
to furnish any amount of money in the
denomination required.
One bank has had $4,000 transferred
by wire from New York, and large sums
have been secured by several other banks.
Secretary Shaws arrangement to trans
fer money by telegraph 10 Baltimore from,
all cities having sub-treasuries will prob
ably be made perma nent
4 New York insurance company has Of
fered to lend s2O0O.OOD at AZ per cent IN
Baltimore for rebuilding purposes.
The task Of clearing the piles of brick,
mortar and rubbish from the streets from
the fire scourged district was pushed for
ward energetically today.
The work OF ernntVipp the safe depOSit
vaults in the ruined buildings has pro-
crossed rapidly. This is being done with
extraordinary precautions An escort
OF cavalry accompanies the wagons in
which the treasures are hauled.
All the local courts resumed business to-
day Jury trials will be resumed and the
grand jury will reassemble on Monday
next