New-York tribune., 1907-11-19
LIFE In HAMILTON BANK
montgomery Wins OUer Hostile De-
pOSitOrS-PLn1 to ReOnpu

PRESIDENT Montgomery of the Hamilton Bank.
no" III the hands of receiver appeared unex-
pectediy at meeting of two thousand depositors
iaSt hight at Calvary Methodist Episcopal Church.
Iz'th street and Seventh avenue. His entrance
was marked by Kisses, groans and other evidences
OF hostility. but before he had finished speaking
ne had turned the tide OF anger, and his utter
ances were greeted with shouts of approval.
After he had reviewed the recent troublous his
tory OF the bank, which he said closed by a
rum mot by the small depositors. but by the
wealthy depositors down in Wall Street who had
been tipped Off to start the rum" he asked those
present if they wanted the bank given chance to
resume with sl,5O0OoO, which had been promised
from outside sources. storm of approving
cheers the reply. There was a general de-
OF confidence and support given TO Mr. Mont.
gomery with roar that lasted for several seconds
A motion to denounce the Attorney General for his
action was seconded by of voices. Only
the emphatic statement of the chairman Charles
Blandy, of Bandy. Mooney & Shipman. that such
action would be decidedly inJudcious. prevented
vote being taken on this proposition.
After it was all over forms of assent TO a certf-
cate of deposit plan passed out by the thou
sands. and 1t was voted call a meeting of de-
positOrs in the neighborhood of every branch to
obtain tho assents necessary to n resumption of
business and to assure united action in opposing a
permanent receivership and in bringing about a
resumption of business.
become president of the Hamilton. but consented
to accept the place and as a condition to giving
up the presidency E. r. Thomas had demanded
that some one assume. for him. an obligation OF
$500. He added that he had assumed this ob-
cation. although he could not afford TO do So He
then said that after the Hamilton Bank had closed
its doors he had gone to William A. Nash presi-
dent of the Corn Exchange Bank and q member
OF the Clearing House committee, In his latter
capacity and had offered TO give him. without any
met
all that he. Montgomery, had any control Of. IL
he would but see 10 II that the doors OF the bank
were opened.
The speaker denied the statement made yester-
day by Frank T. White, temporary receiver that
no feasible plan had been presented to the State
Banking Superintendent or the Attorney General
with regard TO the proposition reopen the doors
Mr.. Montgomery said last night regarding Mr.
"hltes statement: AS to the remark which was
made as 10 usurious loans II Il were true Mr.
"hlte couldn't have said anything that would
have done more 70 suggest 20 people that thev d.
cline to pay their obligations to the Hamilton
BANK AS to what are called usurious loans many
We're TO corporations to which tho laws relating
70 usury do not apply All that we ask Frank
T. White is 10 keep his mouth closed until Novem-
ner 90 when we viii, go before the court with the
names OF those who willing to help US out and
put up 81, 10000"
Frank White. ex-Deputy Attorney General ap-
Iolnted temporary receiver of the Hamilton Bank
last Saturday said yesterday he had learned that
usurious loans had been made by the Hamilton
BANK lie said the subject would receive prompt
attention. lie added that officially he had not been
informed of anything that would warrant criminal
proceedings.
speaking OF the protest by the president OF the
oank against the appointment OF a receiver Mt
White said: From tho date on which the bank
closed It's doors President Montgomery and James
\. Glford' counsel for the institution have been
with others. urging that the appointment OF n re-
celNer be deferred, and promising that they would
present some plan for rehabilitation. Superintend-
eht Williams OF the State Banking Department
granted them time"
Deputy Attorney General De Ford when asked
yesterday II the affairs OF the Hamilton would
be brought to the attention of the grand jury re-
piled that the investigation being conducted by the
Attorney Generals Office into the banks affairs had
not been concluded. and that until II was finished
no definite steps would be taken. He added that
all the closed banks being investigated to
ascertain 20 what extent the officials were RESPONSE
bic for their