Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1906-12-27
LOOKS AFTER BANKS
DUTIES OF THE COMPTROLLER
OF THE CURRENCY.
William Barrett Ridsey Has oneroue
Duties in His Supervision of the
Financial Institutions of
the Country.

uOCJOI lot Dd0KS I0dL are SICK,
a policeman for banks that are well,
and an executioner for banks that
need the ak. Such, stripped OF the
fummery of his title, is the comp
troller Of the currency of the United
States.
A disgraceful number OF bankers
are in jail. There are 10 in the Ohio
penitentiary. Others have gone away
in stealth and vanished among the un-
identified. Some are in the graves OF
the selfmurdered, And there would
be more in prison, more in hiding and
more in perdtion but for the govern
mental doctor, policeman and execu-
toner, writes James b. Morrow in the
Cincinnati Enquirer.
Since 1901 the name of that officer
has been William Barrett Ridgely. He
Is human treasure house for hoard
ed romances and tragedies in money
the father confessor, as well as the
rod of wrath, the detector and ply
stefan of contrite, evil and ailing
cashiers and presidents. Consequent
ly, he was a good man to interview.
Moreover, he comprehends his bust
ness, was born into 1t, and nurtured
by it. His grandfather was discount
States bank, Of which Nicholas Bid
die, the famous financier, was presi-
dent. The Ridgelys have been men
of wealth and power at Springfield, in
Illinois, for 70 years, one generation
following another in banks, gas, street
railroads, coal, iron and steel. William
Barrel Is 4S years old, civil engineer
from the Rensselaer, Polytechnic in
stitute, coal miner, a manufacturer
and an expert accountant and money
lender.
At one of Mr.. Hanna's unique break
fasts OF corned beef hash and various
trimmings, conversation turned to the
state Of the national treasury. well"
J. Pierpont Morgan asked, 'if the gov
eminent needs more gold certificates
why doesn't it print them?" The
greatest banker in America instantly
perceived his confusion. But the
words were out and vexation could
not recall them. However, Populst
would not have blushed. And therein
was all the difference.
Why do banks shut their doors
while depositors wiring their hands
and tear their hearts in the street
How can their security be made
greater? Who gets the money that Is
stolen, and who are blamed for Its
theft?
There Is a dominant man in near
ly every bank in this country" says
Mr.. Ridgely. when he Is honest and
genius no one suffers. Even so, he
needs supervision, and having com
mon sense and integrity he does MOI
object to 1t. Sometimes the dominant
man is a director with many allied
and hazardous interests. Again, he
may be the president with factories OIL
real estate on his mind and hands
Possibly he Is the cashier, who thinks
he sees a short cut to wealth through
brokers' office. No matter what he
Is, whether he has visions in dream!
or revelations by word Of mouth, he
would be almost harmless II his di
rectors checked him up in person ant
put truth and vigilance on his tracks
And the supreme court Of the United
States makes the directors OF al
banks responsible for the acts of thel
officers"
What would increase the securit,
of state banks, including trust com
panies?"
"A system of direct supervision ant
examination by fearless and homes
public officials. The dread of inspeC
ton is q wholesome power for good
fancy the examiners OF nationa
banks accomplish more by the silen
influence of their presence than Il
any other way"
rs the bank officer who expects t
put 1t back any less criminal tina
the man who takes it with a dark lal
tern and dynamite?"
'"He Is the greater criminal and b
all odds the more dangerous. The pr
lice know the robbers who carry jim
mics. Unfortunately, there is 80 d
rectory Of the other fellows"