The San Francisco call., 1906-05-24

The savings banks of the city
threw open their doors yesterday at
9 a. m and welcomed depositors who
wished TO draw money. Simultan-
eously those who have borrowed
money from savings banks on mort
gage notes and who are carrying
insurance policies in favor of the
banks appeared to consult with bank
officials in reference to the prepara-
ton of proof of loss, in cases where
property was situated in the burned
district, and also concerning their
course in relation to the underwriters
Others appeared TO pay interest due
TO banks on loans. A smaller moneyed
class. but numerically strong in total,
brought in money to deposit
Although there had been no agree
mont to pay depositcrs without limit.
that course was pursued at savings
banks. The financial situation was
so strong that it was not found neces-
sary to have any restrictions
Four savings institutions regularly
resumed business. the German. Me-
chanics. Hibernia and Mutual banks.
The Hibernia has about $4,000 depos-
itors. Naturally the array of those
who visited the Hibernia largely out
numbered those at any other bank
Before the opening hour the Hi
bernia flung out a large American
flag over thes entrance at Jones and
McAllister streets. Under this, until
the closing hour in the afternoon, peo-
pie steadily moved in and out OF the
bank, which has large assortment
OF pine counters and tables, that
were put in hastily TO enable the in
stitution to resume business as soon
as possible.
At times the line of persons inter
ested In the Hibernia extended from
the corner OF McAllister and Jones
streets up Jones TO Golden Gate ave
nue.. On the last named thoroughfare
the line doubled and extended quite
a distance. The crowd was present
when the doors were opened and
noon were in evidence when the clos
ing hour arrived
FEW WITHDRAW THEIR ALL.
Attorney Joseph Tobin spoke for
the bank TO a Call reporter, saying;
The people probably require money for
their immediate needs. They have waited,
many Of; them without occupations. Tor
the banks to open We have about So,OOo
depositors. There are perhaps more II
dend days in January and July. but that
is to be expected under the circumstances
Every depositor who comes Is permitted
to draw the full amount his deposit II
he wishes. No limit has been fixed No
notice Is required TO draw money out
The Hibernia Bank has money enough
to meet all corners and paw them The
institution has $i5.0oo 900 IN ready cash
on hand 1t can get SIS. 100000 more at
any time from the United States Mint.
Small amounts have been drawn out Dy
depositors, as rule A very few have
Withdrawn their entire deposits. These
said they wished to start retail business
at once Many have come to draw. and.
having learned the. exact situation have
gone away without taking any money out
Those who have drawn are mostly poor
people who need cash for Immediate use.
The bank premises have been arranged
to give the most room TO expedite business
The mortgagers have ont part of the
bank. They are counseling with the bank
officials and preparing to have losses ad-
justed- The bank is prepared to look after
the insurance for them The institution
is concerned to the amount probably of
SO, ,00o. 900 in Insurance policies that have
ben placed on properties under mortgage.
The policies are not large. Probably 5000
would be an average One line of per-
sons here is paying interest due on loans.
The crowd at the Hibernia was
good natured- Every one seemed TO
be satisfied with the prospect Of get
ting money when his turn arrived 10
get to the paying tellers' window. The
human array was motley. 1t varied
from poorly dressed and sad faced
persons, men and women, who had
been burned out and some of whom
came with little children in arms,
to groups of men and women who
chatted gaily to kill the tedium of
hours of waiting to be paid. Over
the well dressed and those who es-
capped without possessions from their
dwellings and have been unable TO do
any work since the fire, the all. per-
vading dust from the ruins OF count
less buildings was sifted impartially
by the stiff west wind that was STIR