The Washington times., 1905-10-13

With the election of officers as tho
principal business accomplished and
with ideal weather even for pleasure
trips the last day of the convention Of
the American Bankers Association Is
drawing to a close. with unqualified
satisfaction and enthusiasm over the
work done.
At moor today the following chief Of
ficers of the association for the ensuing
year were unanimously elected. In ac-
cerdance with the recommendations OF
the committee on nominations:
President-Joiln L. Hamilton. vice
president of the Hamilton & Cunning
ham Bank Hoopeston. H.
First vice president-G. s. Whitson,
vice president of the National City
Bank. New York city
Members of the executive council for
term of three years: J. T.
Powers. of Louisville; Milton E. Allies.
vice president of the Riggs Ma
tional Rank. Washington. d. c.: J. L
Edwards. president Of the Merchants
National Bank. Burlington. Iowa: H B.
wilcox, cashier of the First National
Bank, Baltimore. Md; ]. j. Sullivan,
president of the Central National Bank.
Cleveland Ohio
The executive council this afternoon
chairman. George w. Reynolds, OF
on the ground that the president being
an Illinois man the State could not
fairly ask another leading Office:
The council reelected Ralph Van
vechten. of Cedar Rapids. as treasurer
To MI the vacancy of G. S. Whitson,
elected vice president, the council chose
Alfred H.. Curtis, of New York. presi-
dent of the National Bank of North
America
By the resignation of F. E. AarshalI,
of St. Louis, another vacancy on eAe
council occurred. for which E. A Pot
ter. of the American Trust and Savings
Company, of Chicago was chosen
James R. Branch was reelected sec
rotary of the association. with W. G.,
Fitzwilson as his assistant
THESE officers, together with the vice
presidents. representing the States OF the
Union. were all unanimously elected.
and Installed in office with enthusiasm
and congratulations.
All of the nominations were more or
less what had been expected
Only Office Doubted
There is some debate as to whether the
Craftsmanship OF the executive council
Will go to Mr.. Reynolds.
When the convention was called to
order few minutes after 10 O'Clock this
morning by President Swinney, there
was but 4 sparse attendance in the Co
luIrbia Theater. BY the time. however.
that Harvey l.. Goulden. OF Cleveland.
hogan his address on Our Commerce.,
the delegates and the ladies began to
flock into the theater. and, Wnen lns
time came for the nomination and cleo
ton of officers. the big auditorium waS
packed TO the doors.
Run Out to Play.
There was. however. a side to the
dav other than that OF business. From
early in the morning there were ex-
cursions and trips
/. Automobiles, street cars, carriages, and
boats were pressed into service; livery
public building had its quota OF banker
Visitors and no sight was left un-
visited. This afternoon some VIII take
an excursion down the Potomac, While
others will witness the eAnloitlon cr1lIs
The convention was opened this morn
ing by prayer by DR. D. J. Stafford
Following this, President Swinney an
cussions on practical banking questions
Taking advantage CT this opportunity.
c. F. Allis, Of the Second National
Bank, of Erie. Pa. explained what he
claimed is the best method for insur-
ing national bank deposits He advo-
Gated the authorization of the proper
Government official TO collect annually
from every national bank in the United
States an assessment of Sl00, the total
10 be used as 4 reserve or protecting
fund upon which banks could Draw IN
certain cases or stress anu Loss
Mr. Allis made the statement that
such q fund would render the deposits
of the national bank absolutely safe.
Some criticism OF his plan Vas made by
other delegates ON the ground that Con-
eress. who would have TO authorize the
! DroDosed assessment, had no right 10
lew a tax for individual protection. One
delegate claimed that there was no way
OF absolutely insrring national bank de-
After this debate. Harvey L. Soulder
made his address. which was a srong
and eloquent plea for the establishment
Of q merchant marine He said that un-
der the existing condition OF American
shipping the United States flag is prac~
tically wiped off the ocean, that the
Panama Canal, for which We are spend