The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1907-10-28
BOTH RETURN HOME
Statesman Able to Borrow
Large Sums Here, but
Rickey's Pleas Fail
ISSUES A STATEMENT
Head of the State Company
Says That New Law
Protects His Banks

FTOCeCIS his BANKS
The fierce fight for financial suprem-
acy in Nevada, that has been waged
for years between United States Sen
ator George Nixon and Thomas B.
Hickey, has reached its climax in the
3 Fairmont hotel in this city, and Nixon
has won first blood. The struggle
has been conducted quietly in the big
csravanssry for nearly week. Both
sides have employed corps of stenog-
raphers, agents, attorneys and messen-
gers; the wires between this city and
the mineral zones of the sagebrush
state have been kept tingling with ad-
vices and messages. The first shock
Of the engagement subsided yesterday
morning when. Senator Nixon returned
to Nevada, victor in the initial clash.
Nixon obtained the money he came
10 this city to get IN order to carry his
string of banks past the shoals Of runs;
Hickey has not been as successful
Nixon secured considerable sums from
a local bank. which with aid from New
York, viii enable him to open up his
banks this morning with millions Of
dollars ready TO meet any panicky flood
Of Withdrawals which timid throng Of
deposItors might let loose. Hickey re-
turned to Nevada last night without
that aid. but confident that his banks at
carson, Manhattan. Blair, Tonopah and
CoIdheid were more than solvent. Nixon
asks for no extension of the additional
holiday which was granted yesterday
by Governor Sparks. VIII throw open
his doors and win ask no quarter. IF
. you want your money says Nixon,
come and get it." Hickey, claiming
and believed to be equally solvent, is
forced, for the lack of immediate funds.
to return and ask his depositors to be
Ienient and give him time.
HAVE FAITH IN RICKEY
Every one familiar with the situation
in Nevada admits that it means a great
victory for Nixon. but there is also firm
belief that Hickey will be able TO meet
the emergency and retain the conf
dence Of the people in his common
wealth in his financial soundness, which
has not, even in the present crisis, been
questioned. Rickey's private fortune
is many times larger than the sum OF
his interest IN the State bank and trust
corporation. OF which he is president.
Politics is back Of the fight, say
Rickey's friends-and Hickey himself
would not deny it. Both men are re-
Their policies in that party have been
at variance a long time. and it is COM
monty known in Nevada that Hickey
was named prominently for United
States senator. Nixon, who has been
the confidential agent of the Southern
Pacific in the state for years. holds that
honor and likes the work. Hickey. as
one Of the Oldest and wealthiest Ne
vadans, would not, II is said. sniff at
the honor OF a seat in the national cap
itoI He would have secured the honor,
too, II Is claimed. If Nixon had not been
nimbler on his political feet. So their
commercial and financial operations
have not fostered any friendly feeling
They have been bitter competitors for
the business OF the state.
When the tidal wave OF depositors'
clamor threatened both institutions;
when the bottom OF the stock market
dropped out and securities went beg
ging at pauperizing prices. both bank
ers came to san Francisco to get
money Both enjoy the confidence of
the financial world; but Hickey OBJ
fained no money, while Nixon secured
plenty. It is said that Nixon sold
"a. 600 shares of Merger last Saturday
on the local stock market for 81. He
offered $4,000 more. says Hickey. with
no takers Nixon realized $4,000 on
the deal, which helped materially, and
with the aid he got from a local bank
was enabled to return to Nevada with
the necessary Jingle"
How Nixon managed to get the
money and how Hickey was unable to
do so. the latter said yesterday that he
did not know. but added that a senator
welded a wider influence than an or
binary banker. The fact that Nixon
was waging a war on him. Hickey
would not deny. either in its political
or financial aspect. But. Of course"
he said, i could not say anything on
that score. am only concerned now
in putting my banks on their feet"
Hickey was flooded with kilograms
expressing the confidence of many Of
the largest operators and capitalists in