The Washington herald., 1908-06-24
CITY BANKERS MEET
District Association Elects
Officers for Year,
EVERYBODY AT HIS EASE
Cast Aside and. Financial
Men Have Fun and COmfort-Re-
firing President Reviews Currency
Legislation - New Administration
Is Inducted Into office.

The Bankers Association Of the Dis
trict Of Columbia held its annual meet
ing last night at Rauscher's. electing
officers for the ensuing year. and par
taking OF the usual banquet afterward
Arrangements for this meeting were
made principally by William A. Mearns
and he carried out for the evening what
was humorously referred 10 as "a set
programme Of informality." In the first
place. coats were tabooed. evening dress
was not thought OF. and everybody was
made as comfortable as electric fans.
neglige shirts. banished cuffs and neck
wear could make one on the hottest
night OF the year. II was not quite
"a calico party" but the colors Of the
shirts worn suggested that phrase to one
Of the witty bankers present.
New Officers Elected.
Up to 10 O'Clock the association carried
on. with a fusiade OF remarks from
everybody, the business meeting, electing
Edward J stellwagen. president; E.
Southard Parker and B. +. Saul. first
and second vice presidents. respectively:
W. A. Mearns, secretary, and George O.
Watson. treasurer The council OF ad-
ministratlon consists OF Charles J. Bell,
William A. Flather. S. Thomas Brown,
and a. F. Fox.
! One of the interesting features Of the
evening was the address Of w. V. Cox.
the retiring president Mr.. Cox reviewed
the work Of the association during the
year. spoke Of the financial stringency at
the close Of last year. and the general
good feeling and cooperation thar had
existed among the members OF the asso-
citation.
Reviews Currency Legislation.
Mr. Cox reviewed the course OF cur
rency legislation from the first important
suggestions for such legislation offered al
the meeting of the American Bankers
Association in Washington three years
ago 70 the present time He said IN,
plans promulgated by the national body
had formed the basis Of every effort to
ward currency laws. Mr. Cox said tn
currency commission held It's first meet
ing In Washington. and the report Of tha
commission was the means which chiefly
aroused the county 70 the need Of cur
renCy legislation.
Mr. Cox referred 20 the credit currency
plan evolved at the meeting Of the Ameri
can Bankers Association at Atlantic City
a form OF which had been embodied fl
a report there framed.
Accept LAW in Good Faith.
Speaking OF the AIdrich-Vreeland law
Mr.. Cox said the bankers of the Capita
had accepted Il IN good faith, had form
ed a currency association according Z
its terms. and stood ready to carry on
its provisions according 10 the spirit an
letter OF the statute
Mr.. Cox closed by urging upon banker:
business men. and all public-spirited cit
zens Of Washington 10 work unremitting
, I ~ FOR the upbuilding Of the city, as Ia
Capital OF the country and as the mos
beautiful city on the Western continent
j. The address was brief. behtting the oC
casion and the circumstances was give
thoughtful attention by the bankers pres
! cnt and greeted with hearty applaus
at its close.
New Officers Installed.
Part Of the programme was the ir
duction OF the new administration int
j office. In the absence OF Mr.. Stellwagei
president-elect. z. Southland Parker wa
tStOIAtu 10 the tlld4A N4lA cRNhF ~ tSAl
!, for the new officers and himself, upo
y taking up the duties Of conducting the a
n fairs Of the association for the new yea
Mr.. Parker said Il was a matter OF sa
= isfaction to him that bankers had II
n spirit and the viii 20 take care Of then
selves. in the local association and i
? affiliation with the larger national bod
: He spoke OF the good will and cooper;
!: ton shown by members Of the associi
:. ton as being healthful and a proof thi
i. all would go well in the future Of Il
b. organization.
After adjournment the members 10
no time in surrounding the tables in Il
, banquet-room. where an hour or mo
. was spent in feasting and genial conve
sation, with everybody at his ease.
Among those present were ". V. &C
Charles J. Bell Z. Southard Parker,
Thomas Brown, George White, Villa
= j. Flather. ". A. Mearns. 3. F. SaJ
: J. Eldridge Jordan. Richard Claughto
? A r Fox. John Poole, A X. Par
E. Quincy Smith, George Fleming. Eds'
:. b. Olds, Andrew Parker, and Georl