The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-08-12
Large Volume of Business
 Done in Birmingham
WOMEN ARE BEST SAVERS
The Woman With the Bank Book Is a Recognized Power In the 5usi- ness World-Deposits
 Are Increasing.
BY WALTER HARPER.

The first banking institution to open It's doors for women's accounts was the Bank of Savings of New York. in lS19 At that time it was located in Chambers street. 1t had only a few women depos itors for some time but the number gradually increased and finally other banks offered their facilities 10 women.
 The business of banking by women has increased at a very rapid rate during the past decade, and now 1t Is said that women constitute 40 per cent of the total number of bank depositors in the United States. It Is estimated that women con stitute 90 per cent of savings deposltors. Of course many of these accounts are in the names of children, but there Is 8 good woman behind practically all them. 1 In spite of the persistent accusation to the contrary, the women are the money savers of the country, and very often a shrewd, calculating woman is behind and directing some of the largest transactions in the financial and business world Some l man usually gets credit for the inspira- ton and successful management of a deal when really "frall woman is the nov ing power behind the man.
 In Wall Street. 1 It is said that many of the most sue cessful transactions on Wall street are suggested and managed by women-confl- l dential clerks who are retained for their 1 shrewd business judgment.
 The Twentieth century business woman Is power in the world and the energy and accuracy of her thought and judg- ment are acting as q stimulant to her brothers In the perils of business bat l tie.
 When women first began to open bank accounts the woman with a bank book was looked upon with derision and as a butt for jokes. She was thought to be without sufficient business sense to grasp the intricate details of finance, and then she was looked upon as a creature of in- nate extravaganza who could never ap- l preciate the value of money saving. But the erroneous idea has been dispelled She cannot only learn her brother tricks in saving but she can lead him feversh pace on the speculative boards.
 In Birmingham. It Is estimated that the business trans acted by the women in Birmingham through the banks amounts to something like $40,000 each day, and this branch of the business is increasing steadily. | Practically all the banks of the city have provided special accommodations for their women depostors, and it is prob- able that at an early date separate books and departments in the banks will be 1 kept for them.
 In discussing the banking business done by women w F. G. Harding. president of the First National bank, said: "srhe wom- an bank depositor is coming to be q strong factor in modern finance and the number Is increasing vary rapidly. The amount of business transacted daily by l women through the First National bank ] is about S10000 and it is growing at ! commendable rate. The business has ad vanced to such an extent that we have seen fit to arrange for special accommo- dations for them. They have in our bank a cozy waiting room with desks, chairs and all necessary stationery. Sterling S. Harris is in charge of the woman's depart ment and everything possible Is done for the accommodation of this class of busi- ness. The women have a surprisingly fine idea of business and their accounts are always appreciated here"
 Business Is Desirable.
 John D. Elliott president of the Com l mercal State bank, said: "Our bank IS young but we have a large number Of lady depositors both in open and savings accounts and find this business very de- 1 sirable Women, as rule, have good l ideas of business and we find that they give us less trouble than men. Women with open accounts seldom overdraw and are very careful in observing the strict rules of banking. They seem to readily appreciate the limitations of the busi- ness and never give us the trouble that l am sorry to say We sometimes have with men.
 "rhe woman bank depositor, when she opens her account studies the rules and requirements carefully and takes that in
 
 that might be initiated to advantage by her more careless brother
 l Our business with women is increasing, which speaks well for the thriftiness and good judgment of the women of Birming ham. They are better savings depositors than men and are very careful of their 1 interest credits"
 Has Faith In Women.
 J. B. Cobbs president of the Citizens Savings bank, has great faith in the business qualities of the women of Br- mingham. He has an exceptionally good opportunity of observing the progress and general tendency of the women In bank ing and especially in the matter of say ] ings deposits.
 .'rhe women of this country" said Mr. Cobbs, "are the savers and often they are found to be equal to their brothers in handling large business deals. Some of the largest transactions in finance are often inspired and conducted by some shrewd woman who Is unknown In the matter and who never receives credit for l her work.
 "Women are usually charged with ex- | travagance and with being thoughtless in the expenditure of money but the charge Is unjust and unkind. There is a strong and growing tendency among young wo- men and especially working girls to save l part of their earnings, our accounts with this class show. They far outclass the young men of the city in this re- spect About 80 per cent of our deposit tors of this class are girls who work for a living and while only 20 per cent are young men employed at one vocation i or another.
 ..'rhe girls love to dress well. For this reason they are often charged with ex- 1 trayagance but the world and society | demands that they dress well and l 1 think it is right that they should an- | swer the demand But l am sure that l the boys of this city are more eXtraya- gant in this respect than the girls If the boys do not spend their money for clothing they spend it otherwise. They 1 do not class with the girls as savings depositors.
 Allowance for Men. | q believe that reversal of the rule | that gives the wife an allowance for | snendng money would work great good in this country. I believe If the husband l were given an allowance and the manage | ment of the income left in the care of