Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1907-02-21
LOOKS AFTER BANKS
DUTIES or THE COMPTROLLER
or THE CURRENCY.
william Barrett RIdseIy Has onsrOus
Duties In His Supervision Of the
Financial Institutions Of
the Country.

policeman for banks that are well,
and an executioner for banks that
need the Ak. Such, stripped Of the
nummery 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 self-murdered, And there would
be more in prison, more in hiding and
more in perdition but for the govern
mental doctor, policeman and execu-
toner, writes James B. Morrow in the
Cincinnati Enquirer.
Since 1901 the name of that ofiicer
has been William Barrett Ridgely. He
Is human treasure house for hoard.
ed romahces 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 good man to interview.
Moreover, he comprehends his bust
ness, was born into 1t, and nurtured
by 1t. His grandfather was discount
clerk in st. Louis for the old United
States bank, of which Nicholas Bid
die, the famous f1nancier, 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
Barrett is 4S years old, civil engineer
from the Rensselaer, Polytechnic in
stitute, a 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"
]. Pierpont Morgan asked, III the gov
eminent needs more gold certificates
why doesn't 1t print them?" The
greatest banker in America instantly
perceived his confusion. But the
words were out and vexation could
not recall them. However, Populist
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
" every bank in this country" says
Mr.. Ridgely. when he is honest and
O genius no one suffers. Even so, he
needs supervision, and having COM
mon sense and integrity he does not
object to it. Sometimes the dominant
man is a director with many allied
and hazardous interests. Again, he
may be the president with factories or
real estate on his mind and hands.
Possibly he is the cashier, who thinks
he sees a short cut to wealth through |
q brokers' office. No matter what he
is, whether he has visions in dreams
or revelations by word of mouth, he
would be almost harmless If his d.
rectors checked him up in person and
put truth and vigilance on his tracks.
And the supreme court Of the United
States makes the directors Of all
banks responsible for the acts Of their
officers"
what would increase the security
Of state banks, including trust com
pauies?"
"A system Of direct supervision and
by fearless and honest
public officials. The dread Of inspec-
ton Is a wholesome power for good
| fancy the examiners OF national
banks accomplish more by the silent
influence Of their presence than In
any other way"
as the bank officer who expects 10
put It back any less a criminal than
the man who takes 1t with q dark Ian
tern and dynamite?"
"He is the greater criminal and BY
all odds the more dangerous. The po
lice know the robbers who carry Jim
niles. Unfortunately, there is no di
rectory Of the other fellows"