The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-06-17
BRIGHT SCENES
IN BANQUET B N HALL [. |.
Strong Address to Bank
erS BY Secretary
Shaw.
NOTABLE COMPANY
OF SOUTHERNERS
Fully Three Hundred Ladies and
Gentlemen Gather in Banquet
Room Of Masonic Temple,
and Hear Clever Addresses
and Enjoy a sumptuous
Feast.

Tho banquet with which the Richmond
portion Of the twelfth annual convention
OF the Virginia Bankers Association
closed last night was a brilliant and
delightful occasion. both from social
and an intellectual standpoint. and, 1t
y might be added. from gastronomical.
L as we'll The convention members and
the ladies accompanying them Will en-
Joy an excurs;c, by rail and boat to-
day 10 Old Point and the Virginia Capes.
holding the final business session aboard
the boat Officers will be elected and
the association will adjourn sine die.
Fully three hundred persons enjoyed
the hospitality OF the banks and bankers
off, Richmond at the elegant banquet IN
the Masonic Temple last night, and all
& heard a series Of exceptionally happy
after-dlnner addresses by n bcvy Of the
X brightest orators In the large gathering.
without derugation from the merits OF the
other addresses. the speech Of Secretary
of the United States Treasury Leslie NJ.
Shaw. of5Iowa, the guest OF honor was
the feature OF the oratorical programme.
Every other speaker on the programme.
however, aroused enthusiasm and elecit-
ed an applause SO generous and spon-a
tnneous that 1t can be said of no one that
he received the ovation Of the evening.
The banquet hall was decorated with
nags and bunting. the Virginia flag and
cnb blern being everywhere hanked by the
flag OF the Union. Every wall and win
dow and door nlcove and every chande-
lcrs bore its emblem OF patriotism. Flow
b ers added to the charm OF the scene,
which received its crowning beauty from
the presence OF many lovely women. All
around the halls palms and foliage were
effectively grouped. n and on every table
cut flowers lent fra GRANGE 10 hcighten7
: the charm OF beauty and color. The
toastrr,a ster's table was frightened by
great bowls OF American Beauty roses.
while the other tables were made at
tractiye by large vasessof white and OF
pink ross on alternate tables. All the
tables were lighted by wax tapers IN
cut glass candclabra. Such was the
frame for the human picture one OF
happy humanity, OF life and color and :
motion.
Delightful Menu.
Tho menu was tasteful and delightful
vet In excellent taste and promptly and
handsomely served. When justice had
s been done to the various courses and the
effervescent champagne had touched all
= with Its kindred sparkle. Toastmaster
Hablston raped or order and the eyes
of the diners were focused on the long
s elevated table at which sat the follow
Ing: 6a
The toastmaster, in the center: secre-
tary Shaw. on his right; Governor Mon
tague on his left: Messrs. Wyndham r.
Meredith. John Stewart Bryan and Henry
Landon Cabel. further TO the right, and
Messrs. Joseph G.. Brown. OF North Car
olina; r. F. Maddox, OF Georgia, and n.
= p. Calling. of Virginia, to the left of the
Governor.
Mr.. Habl'ston introduced Secretary
Shaw with an Incident connected with
their first meeting, and made a very
pleasing presentation. The distinguished
Il 5Gfinancier and thinker was given n most
enthusiastic reception, and one the gem
uineness and warmth Of which could not
be doubted, and he acknowledged "a 1t with
unconcealed satisfaction and PRIDE In an
address of about half an. hours dura-
tion he made n powerful economic plea
for the revival of our merchant marine.
and to that end. In behalf OF ship sub
sides. II was not a political address, but
strictly an economic treatment of the
theme which has enlisted the best thought
of the country. In terse. compact, even
epigramatc sentences. pregnant with logic
and fact. h emphasized the critical sltu-
alton OF this country with reference to
Its future commercial status In the world.
& driving home TO the more thoughtful
hearers some facts that will have strong
tendency to dislodge the tndency to view
with prejudice the method suggested to
improve what all Americans deplore, yet
& have done nothing to remedy, The fig
ures, the facts, the logic. he marshaled
s n support OF his contention were we'll
nigh, If not wholly. irresistible Space
and time forbid more than a cursory mem
ton of%a powerful speech by man who
Is a thinker rather than an orator.
In the course of his address he said
in part:
"If we expect to increase our exports
Of manufactured products we must learn
70 conform to the requirements Of the
foreign trade, We will find 1t much
easier to produce textiles, wearing ap-
parel, tools and utensils such as are
used, for Instance. In South America.
than to teach the people of South Amer
lea to wear our style of shoes. our pat
tern of prints and to use our make OF
plows. Thus far Americans have been
4 persistent nonconformlsts Because for-
eign countries come to us for raw cotton
and food products, we have assumed that
they Will come with equal eagerness for
our manufactures. This they will never
7. do. The countries which supply South
America, South Africa, the Islands of
the sea and the Orient, are the countries
that study the wants MS we'll as the
needs of those to whom they sell,
Lessons From Bankers,
"And now a lesson for you. my banker
friends. The trade in South America and
& Mexico Is largely on six months time,
and our people are frequently barred
therefronl because t hey cannot get the
Il necessary accommodations. 100 many Of
o,,r banks eagerly accent speculative call
loans, at two $or three per cent. inter-
:
Continued on Second Page)
Have you been to wagners Reopenng Sale