Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-28
MEETING OF BANKERS
Representatives of Many Mil
lions to Gather Here.
PROGRAM FOR GUESTS
LOCAL ASSOCIATION TO LOOK
AFTER THEIR COMFORT.
Many Committees Appointed for Va
rious Phases of Their Entertain
ment-Important Business.
PROGRAM FOR GUESTS

The aggregate capital. surplus and de-
posits of members of the American Bankers
Association amount to s11, go, 686, 637 This
Is without doubt amount greatly In ex-
cess of that represented by any other Or
ganiZatfon. institution or corporation in
the history of the world"
So states Col. James R. Branch, secretary
of the American Bankers Association. in
his last annual report to the members
thereof. and from this brief paragraph some
idea can be gained of the financial i'm
portance of the men. individually and col
lectively, who are to be the guests of the
District of Columbia Bankers Association
four days next month, October 10, IL, IL
and Ii. From every state and territory,
from country banks and town banks from
state banks and national banks, from pri-
vate banks and trust companies, from every
concern that can possibly claim to do a
legitimate banking business are recruited
the strongest to form the rank and file
of the bankers association. so that the
membership OF the institution practically
represents the allied business capital of
the United States. But once before have
the people of the District Of Columbia had
occasion to entertain such an important
gathering of business men-the Internation-
al Railroad Congress. which was convened
here last spring. and which. though of in
ternational origin, could not be said to rep
resent SO much ready money as do the men
who will be here next month.
The American Bankers Association was
organized almost thirty years ago. Ac-
cording to the constitution OF the associa-
ton its purposes are: ITO promote the
general welfare and usefulness of banks
and banking institutions and to secure uni
fornity of action. together with the prac-
teal benefits to be derived from personal
acquaintance and from the discussion of
importance ha n nd
commercial interests of the country and
especially In order to secure the proper
consideration Of questions regarding the
financial and commercial usages, customs
and laws which affect the banking inter-
ests of the entire country. and for protec-
ton against loss by crime
Foundation Of the Association.
With these objects in View a party of in
fuential bankers met in 1876 and formed
the organization which the Washington
hnanciers will have as their guest for four
days beginning two weeks from today And
the preparations that are being made to
entertain the guests surpass anything of
the kind that has ever before been at
tempted In the District. 1t is not enough
to the members of the local association Of
bankers that some of the most prominent
men IN the country have consented to dis
cuss finance with the visitors at the regu-
lar business meetings, or that they have
a long list of natural attractions to show
sojoarners In the District; they must do
more than this; they must surpass all pre-
vious efforts. All of those who are engaged
in the entertainment are members of the
local association or are in some way con-
nected with institutions that are rated as
members. And all of those on the various
committees have from time to time served
their fellow citizens in like capacity on oc-
casions of great festival either national
or local. From among the members of the
reception committee alone can be picked
at least three former charmen of inaugural
committees. half dozen chiefs Of civic cell
ebrations Of the last ten years. and an al
most unlimited number OF men who have
individual regulations as entertainers to
sustain. They have all combined to make
this occasion their supreme effort In the
business OF welcoming guests of the city.
and they have been actuated In this az
much from motives OF civic pride as from
any personal considerations. The fact that
Washington. as a capital of the nation,
belongs to the whole people and should be
made city OF which all the people are
proud Is the idea that the entertainers de-
sire to impress most firmly on the visitors.