Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1910-08-03
MANY COMMUNITIES ASK FOR POSTAL SAYINGS BANKS,
But SOUTH and west FAIL TO EKTHUSE over THEM
From Many Communities for Designation of Branch Banks
Foreigners and People in Moderate circumstances the
Most Insistent--A Help to Young Men.

far from home and who find it hard
to save money" InaSmuch as these
young men" are undoubtedly scions
Of eastern families who have gone
forth to seek their fortunes while the
fathers and elder brothers remained
at home to take care of the long-estab-
lished business Of the family, this In
terest on the part of the postmaster
in their welfare and in their success
gives a touch to the paternalistic side
of the postal banks which is interest
ing. The postmaster says he will not
get an extra cent in salary for the
extra work involved, but that he is
personally willing to work overtime
in order that these young men" may
be encouraged in thrift and economy.
Superior, Neb., reports that there
Is no savings bank within 100 miles
of that place in any direction, and it
wants the first postal savings bank al
lotted to that State, as it had the
first rural route.
From Great Falls, Mont, comes the
plea that the city has more wage earn
ers in proportion to its population
than any other city in the country,
many Of whom are foreigners. The
postmaster is certain that the patrons
of his Office will appreciate a postal
bank.
The postmaster at Onarsa. ILL.,,
points out that while the inhabitants
Of the cities have savings banks ga
lore, the rural population OF the
try in large part is. without conve-
niences of this kind. He suggests
that the postal savings bank will be-
come even more popular in the coun-
try than in the cities, and asks that
they be given a fair trial in the coun-
try districts, including the territory
in the vicinity Of Onarga.
At Centerville, Ia, the postmaster
reports a large foreign population.
which either buys international
money orders with its surplus savings
and sends 1t out Of the community,
or carries the money around on its
person. This feature among the for
eigners has already been emphasized
in the mining districts of Pennsylva-
mia, where thousands of dollars have
already been reported in the hands
Of the foreigners working the mines
of that state. The postmasters Ut
Pennsylvania feel sure this money
will go into the postal banks.
Astonishing Indifference appears to
prevail in the south and west with
regard to the benefits supposed to flow
from postal savings banks. Those
sections were supposed, while the bill
was under consideration, to be de-
manding such legislation with great
fervor.
OF the 10000 postmasters in the
country but 1875 have reported the
least interest in their localities in the
matter. OF the $4,000 or $4,000
banking institutions in the country
but 462 have signifed q desire to be-
come repositories for the money to be
placed in the postal savings banks.
The banks manifesting curiosity are
distributed through AZ states. and the
postmasters who have made inquiries
are in So states. Texas and Oklaho-
ma are the only states Of the south
where the subject appears to have
aroused much interest. In Texas ~
postmasters have written here for In
formation and in Oklahoma nine.
Postmasters in Louisiana, Mjssis-
sippi. Alabama, Georgia and North
Carolina have ignored the matter
The officials of the p~ostofice de-
partment believe they will be able to
establish a few banks by the first OF
the year 1911. They realize they
have a big task on their hands. Thus
far, however, there are no indications
of any rush on the part of the people
in demanding them.
Secretary MacVeagh recently urged
the banks to form associations to avail
themselves of the privileges OF the
Aldrich-Vreeland currency plan, but
thus far there Is not n such associa-
ton in existence. Futile efforts nave
been made to form them so they may
be in existence when the next curren-
cy pinch comes, but the banks are un.
willing to even go to the expense OF
preparing the necessary papers Tor
associations.