Bismarck daily tribune., 1908-04-10

about the possibility OF m1Splac1ng $2S.-
100000 even for half second. The
machinery of the clearing house is al
most too perfect to slip cog.
The clearing house begins to show
signs Of activity as early as $50 O'Clock,
when the vanguard of bank runners
makes it's appearance. They travel in
pairs and are mostly young men, al
though the veterans have not all re-
tired. Their badge of Office is bag,
any sort of bag, suit case, telescope,
kit bag, canvas bag. Sometimes 1t has
the name of the bank it came from
printed across the end. More often it
ears no distinguishing mark.
81. Further, it's identity is frequently
hidden behind an exceedingly shabby
exterior. That is perhaps a virtue. At
all events, it is not considered good
form in banking circles to be ostenta-
tious. A strong bag even though it be
old and chafed is just as good vehicle
, for fortune as a new one and is less
likely to produce burnings in the heart
of thug. So this is the reason why
the young men who sweep up the mar
BILE stairs look as if they were carrying
bags filed with their own clothing in
stead of other persons checks. Self
conscious they are not despite the loads
they carry, and one might well imagine
they were going upstairs to change
their garments for gymnasium suits.
But when the visitor reaches the floor
above and climbs to the little gallery
at one end he realizes that not basket
ball, but another game, is to be played.
Already the players are preparing to
take their positions. At the side walls
are benches on which delivery clerks
are sitting, their bags at their sides,
and opposite is solid counter divided
into about seventeen compartments, to
the front Of which are affixed, If occu-
pied, the name plates Of different
banks. Beyond the first is second
counter and between the two rack for
more benches and hatracks separates
the two rows of counters from dupli-
Gates on the opposite side of the room.
Settling clerks, who take their places
on high stools behind the outer rows
Of counters, face the walls. Those at
the inner counters face the center aisle.
At the elbows Of the settling clerks
stand their assistants, who are re-
Quired to sign the exchange slips pre-
tented with each package of checks.
As the clock nears 10 one glances
from the high dome, with its row of
electric lights, to the scene below. The
clerks at the compartments have made
themselves comfortable. The messen-
gers standing at ease before them
have slung their bags and are ready.
A minute passes. A man appears at
the rostrum in the gallery and rings a
gong twice. Eyes below are uplifted
as he makes an announcement about
out Of town banks that will hereafter
clear through different correspondents
That is not Of particular interest, but
he pauses briefly and then utters the
magic word, "Clearingv'
The messenger for bank No. crosses
the room at one end Of the counters
and takes the place Of No. 81, who has
moved down a pace. simultaneously
fifty other men have taken a step for
ward, and the tramping and scraping
Of feet come regularly No. has
slapped an envelope down before the
clerk at No. 97's compartment, dropped
a ticket into slot, offered an exchange
slip for signing and passed on to No.
SO without uttering word. Each of
No. rs fifty associates has duplicated
his performance in every detail, and
so the exchanges, as they are called.
have been fairly started.
In the meantime the settling clerks
are doing their share Of the work
Long sheets Of paper in front of them
are being filed out with the total
amounts of the checks presented by
the men who are circling about the
counters, making monotonous but not
unpleasant sounds with their feet.
Suddenly, when you are just beginning
to understand what it is all about, a
halt is called. No one says anything,
ibut every one stops. You ask why,
and some one says the exchanges have
been completed. You ask how $780,
100000 can change hands in exactly
fifteen minutes by the clock, and the
same person looks at you with a pity
ing smile and remarks. .why, you've
Just seen 1t DONE"
There is marked silence for a mo-
ment after the feet have stopped NOV
ing. The crowd in the room begins to
. thin ont, for the delivery clerks are