Los Angeles herald., 1910-10-04
MEN Of MILLIONS
MEET At BANQUET
Members of American Bankers
Association Guests of Clear
ing House Association
GROWTH OF ASSOCIATION
United States Treasurer MCClung
Speaks of Financial Condi-
tions and Youths Chances
GROWTH OF ASSOCIATION

Fifteen thousand millions of dollars
enough to pay the national debt half
a dozen times, reconstruct every build
/ ing in New York city, rebuild every
mile of railway in the United States
and then leave comfortable balance
was represented by the 200 men, mern-
bers of the executive council of the
American Bankers association, who
sat at the banquet given last night by
the Los Angeles clearing house COM
mittee In the Alexandria hotel By the
handful gathered at the speakers table
alone something over $1,000, 900, 900 was
represented. The gathering represented
the most powerful and greatest aggre-
cation of wealth ever assembled under
single roof.
Every one of the 200 banqueters is a
rich man, although their personal
wealth taken collectively is not great
when compared with the immense
amount of money they control. 1t Is
estimated that the total of the personal
fortunes Of the executive council mem-
bers ranges close to $500,000000.
FOUNTAINS IN BANQUET HALL
In order that the banquet, its menu
and Its decorations might be in keeping
with the character of the men who sat
around the festal board, everything
possible was done by Manager Whit
of the Alexandria to make the affair
ornate In character. The speakers
table was most elaborate. In the CEN
ter miniature lake with two fountains
squirting delicately perfumed water
had been built. Around the edges of
the lake was laid shore of moss and
greenery from which rose myriad of
lilies of the valley and 200 orchids.
Hidden in the greenery were hundreds
of tiny electric lights, which when
turned on gave the appearance of a
vagrant moon casting lights and
shadows across the water The indi-
vidual tables were decorated with cir
cular bouquets OF American Beauty
roses.
At intervals around the room huge
punches of yellow crysanthemums were
placed half way between floor and CELL
ing. Running from bunch to bunch OF
the crysanthemums was wide band
OF pale green chiffon, dotted with sill
yer beads. At each bunch of flowers
q huge knot of the chiffon was made.
The orchestra was hidden behind q
bower of potted flowers and palms.
This same decorative scheme was used
for the balcony where singers appeared
to entertain the guests. The decorative
scheme was one of the most attractive
ever presented by the Alexandria and
gained many expressions OF approval
from the guests.
The menu cards and the diagrams of
tables and lists OF guests were novel.
On the cover of the latter was printed
q pass book. The menu cards were in
the shape of miniature bonds, each one
beinss. aIum bered and facsimiie aufo-
graphed by Chairman ]. A. Graves
Each course was marked by a coupon
The second page of the menu contained
an invitation to "eat, drink and be
merry inI the legal phraseology similar
to that in use in mortgage.
NOTED, FINANCIERs AT TABLE
At the speakers table sat, Chairman
J. A. Grahves, r. b. Anderson, l. T.
Bush, ReA Robert ]. Burdette, w. H.
HoIliday.I Charles H. Hurtig, Stoddard
Jess, Led McClung, treasurer of the
United skates; P. c. Kaufman. Lewis
E. Piersotn, Harold Remington, George
and UHyman ]. Gage, former secretary
ofG the United States treasury and the
only one of the founders of the Amer
lean Bankers association present at
the present convention. During the
course of his address Mr.. Pierson, now
president OF the association, offered a
toast to Mr.. Gage which was drunk
standing
Chairman Graves opened the ad-
dresses of the evening by extending
hearty welcome to the visitors. His
remarks were applauded to the echo.
d
dent of the United States and called
upon Lee McClung, treasurer of the
United States, to respond.
In the course of his remarks Mr. Me-
Chung declared that President Taft is
not only the most popular executive of
the United States, but the best quail
fed for the office. He declared that
when President Taft shall have finished
4 his term of office the people will recog-
n niZe him as the most efficient executive
III the country has ever had. The re-
3\marks brought forth cheers.
| In concluding Mr.. McClung said that
i enticism to which officials Of the gov
| ,r1ment are being constantly subject
I dis causing the young men and those
1 lest qualified to serve the country to
i slun public office tor private employ
/ nent.
REV. R. j. BURDETTE SPEAKS
Because of the extra session of the
legislature Governor Gillett was unable
1 to be present last night. 1.-THE State
! of California" the toast to which he
was to have responded, was assigned
I = to Rev. Robert j. Burdette. tele-
gram in which Governor Gillett ex-
tended his hearty welcome to the Wis
itors to the state was read by Chair
man Graves. Rev. Mr.. Burdette re-
\ piled to Governor Gilletts toast in
happy vein. He said, in part:
Welcome to the middle of the world
and all there is of it. For 1t is east
lboth ways from Californfa-east to-
hw9ird Massachusetts,, and east toward
the orient. Is the water healthy?
Sure, nothing bit well water in the
state. Are we prosperous? We own
10 many automobiles we are the best
walkers on the planet.
''Welcome to the original depository
all the gold out OF sight in the
nited States, with more yet to come
an has ever came. Our much quoted
has doomed little with every
ar until now it is quoted on the al
hac as 1910. What do you know
,lt that?
Welcome to our mountains, whose
nnits have worn their crown of
rs for thousand years, and will
that diadem of purity a thousand
y to come. And welcome to the
yVs nesting at their feet, which
hfnever felt the light weight of a
snake on their breasts.
ucome to the state with water
tok and oil to burn. Choose our
Nights as you will-we have or
8 for our friends and lemons for
cenemies. Welcome to the state
Whe smallest matches and the big
ger-raconteurs. To the state
w has more unsual seasons in a
nthan the rest of the country has
inear. Where we disprove the