The Washington times., 1906-12-30

decide as TO the six safest men 20 as
sumo the mulJfari0us task Of guiding
WashingtOn's varied ana extensive
banking interests, the name OF Robert
Newton Harper would be selected among
that number
This claim. as much as its meaning
upon careful reflection carries, is not
made by Mr.. Harpers friend because OF
their enthusiasm for his personality
alone, but largely because his financial
undertakings have won him the right TO
be termed a 5afe. conservative and far
seeing banker. His early affairs were
not shaped Along the lines II a hauier
and investor Of pablic and private
money. but since assuming the presi-
dency OF the American National Bank
one OF the Capitals strong financial
institutions. he has in the most pro-
nOunced way demonstrated his fitness
20 hold this high trust
In his life and attainments 50 far
Mr.. Harper has exemplitied the wisdom
OF holding. first. To honesty, ana then
TO determination. in the objects he seeks
70 gain. OF the latter quality, he has
more than falls 10 the average man. and
tn all his undertakings. this. with the
admiXture OF fairness. supplies the pre-
dominating feature OF his dealings Be
ginning early In life. his manifest pur-
pose has been 10 strive forward toward
the goal OF the useful citizen and the
successful man.
His Start in Life.
Mr. Harper made his start in life
without the aid Of rich parents or in
heTitance. and today he acknowledges
thar he rraF.baDg mould ne H---- 49,.
prompted 10 undertake bigger things
had the way been made easy for him
Born at the Old Harper family farm. a
me estate near Leesburg. Va, Jan
uary 81, 1861, he is the son OF Robert
and Mary Amelia CSewtonl Harper. A
name widely known ana respected in
that part of the old Dominion He
spent much or his early bOyhOOd days
under the eye Of a careful Ia;her and
a loving mother and from them alb
sorbed the high-minjed principles which
have since directed his career. His early
education was gained in the public
schools of his home town and then at
the Leesburg Academy. Later he grad
uated from the College OF Pharmacy at
Philadelphia.
Mr., Hsrper'5 active business career
began IN 1878 when he entered the drug
store or DIT. r. II. Edwards, in Lees
burg. where he remained four years.
Looking 10 a larger field OF endeavor.
In 1884 he accepted a position with the
drug house Of John WyeIh < Bro, OF
Philadelphia, travelling extensively
through the South until he was called
90 the home office to become chief clerk
He continued with this firm until 1886.
when. attracted BY larger returns. Le
moved 10 Washington and established
his own business AT Cog Pennsylvania
avenue northwest
Won a Reputation.
The Harper pharmacy soon won an
snviable reputation and the business OF
the firm grew with "a rapldity thar ludi-
Gated Mr.. IGTpeT's conscientious treat
ment or his patrons. II was while thus
engaged that Mr.. Harper gave to the
world the famous 'Harper's Cephal-
gine." "a preparation which has since
gained wide popularity because Of its
headache-curing properties
Mr. Harper's first stroke Of business
genius was shown when he created the
Washington Drug Exchange. an asso-
citation Of retail druggists who banded
themselves ID offset the burdensOme.
profit cutting effects OF being forced To
buy drugs at the prOhibitIve prices die
tated by the Drug trust. This fsr-seelng
druggists scheme. which embodied the
basic principles of buying and distribut-
ing drugs on the cooperative plan, was
at first accepted gingerly. only sixteen
of the forty druggists who had origin
ally agreed 10 become members fulfilling
their pledge. This setback, however. did
h.. fs.l f.F
per. He had set out with distinct OBJ
5eet in vIew-Jhat Of putting the drug
trade IN this city on "a much higher
plane-and he quietly. but persistently,
worked until he had convinced hts asso-
ciates Of the practical wisdom OF his
plan.
Growth of Exchange.
From an insignificant distributing de-
pot located in out-Cf-.ae-wlv downtown
cellar, with but "a hand5Il OF members
20 support it, this business has IA out
grown the creators most sanguins pre-
dictious. Today the Washington Whole
sale Drug Exchange has q membership
OF over 400 of the most reputable drug
gists IN the city. its stock has risen from
the original SIS share TO more than
$3.50. and at the present time 10 is doing
q yearly business or over S5uo.UeO This
in itself Is an achievement indicating
the highest creative ability. and Nr
Harpers friends long ago judged it as
such
Looking Tor a wider field in which tC
play his notable talents for business or
ganlzatiou. Nj Harper found il In the
world OF banking. lie at cnce became
the prime mover and organizer of the
American National Bank, which. OF
March z. 1903. exactly one month after
Mr. Harper had quit active work in tbs
retail drug business. opened its doors
for business. To make the new institu
tion a power in the business world Ny
Harper gathered around him "A board o
directors whose names were already
drmly established in banking circles