The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-05-11
c. ". LAMAR
TO BANKERS
OF FLORIDA
PRESIDENT OF THE FLORIDA
BANKERS ASSOCIATION DELIv-
Frs ANNUAL ADDRESS AT THE
CONVENTION NOW IN SESSION
IN ocALA.


Lamar of this city, yesterday delivered
his annual address, which Is as fol-
lows:
Ladies and Gentlemen Of the Florida
Bankers Association:
It gives me great pleasure to meet
with you again in annual convention.
When accepting the honor you be-
slowed upon me one year ago in elect
ing me your president, I then declared
II to be one of the happiest events OF
my life, and / now wish to confirm
this; and count 1t a more than happy
circumstance indeed which brings us
together in this charming and thriving
central city of Florida, whose bankers
have labored with such conspicuous
ability and zeal in the upbuilding Of
this association and our state.
While we had our share in the
stringent times of 1907, and labored
under the general business depression
which followed in its wake, however, l
dare say that few people have stopped
to consider how few failures have &C.
Cured and how many honest but
needy business men have been tided
over their difficulties by the conserva-
tive bankers of Florida / use the term
conservative bankers" advisedly, for
the bankers of this state have proven
by their foresight and conservatism
their ability to combat such situations,
and now their patriotism can be best
measured by the evidence of returning
prosperity and the business confidence
we see on every hand today. The good
CID state of Florida has prospered in
the past year as no other state in the
Union, and golden day of promise is
before her. Nothing can impede her
sure and steady forward movement
along the highway of progress and de-
velopment. In the east and west you
III nv. -
her chief assets, that we have hereto
fore partially ignored. is now in the
eye of the public and its real value
being found out. / refer to what we
have heretofore called cut over lands"
but what should have been classed as
the best farm lands of the south and
OF the United States, where twelve
months in the year you can till the
soil and get results. WeShave worked
hard and patiently, and we are now
reaping our reward, and, to quote one
Of my brother bankers. "the money is
coming and the population is sure to
follow"
Questions Before Bankers.
1t Is the custom at annual meetings
for the president to discuss questions
that need the attention Of the bankers
ing and have made some study Of the
group meeting plan, and most heartily
recommend It, Especially should 1t
appeal to Florida bankers, the state
being so peculiarly situated geographic
cally. There are great many benefits
TO be derived in having meetings in
different parts Of the state. also
strongly advocate the establishment of
credit departments in the clearing
house cities and in the groups, in this
way reducing to q minimum the risk
and the loss where large lines of ac-
commodation are extended by a num-
Der of banks to the same borrower.
The plan is simple. I'm brief"-loans
exceeding a stated amount are report
ed to the clearing house or group, and
the borrower is charged with the same,
without, however, any mention being
made Of the bank making the loan.
Any member may have access to the
loan book at any time and all times,
and may, without the knowledge of the
manager, examine the records and
Judge for himself whether or not fur
only information disclosed by the rec
ords is the total amount loaned to
such borrower by the members of that
clearing house or group. Such a plan
would prevent borrowers who have had
extended to them by their own bank or
group as much accommodation as they
are entitled to from imposing on the
ClttlIn OF the DdnA accom-
modated them without giving that
bank notice. Thoroughly organized
groups and clearing house cities could
IN this way become acquainted with
the needs of commercial and other
houses. and, If at any time in the mar
ket for commercial paper, could invest
at home instead of sending off for the
same.
Another Important Matter.
AnnfhaT affnr Of I'm, -,
to all banks is the adoption of a uni
form warehouse receipt properly
drawn to cover all commercial or farm
products, timber, lumber, naval stores
merchandise, ETC., in order that all may
be fully protected, If we accept such
products as collateral The same care
full consideration should be given to
regulating the issuance and genuine
ness of bills of lading. This matter
has cost the banks large sums in the
past year, not only by direct losses
but by notoriety, causing a feeling OF
distrust among the farmers and being
a serious handicap to the exporters.
1t is earnestly hoped that our mem
bership in the American Bankers As
ISOLATION will be increased, in order
that we may be entitled to more rep.
reservation in that organization.
We should make these annual gath
ertngs experience meetings, where
ideas and thoughts can be exchanged
and suggestions made, and I want Il
state that you mustn't think. becaus,
your bank is small and your expe.
rience limited, you cannot help the
older, larger and more experienced
bankers. Some of the brightest anC
best ideas come from the small banks
where the same person is president
cashier. bookkeeper, and porter every
day. It is my earnest hope that thi.
convention will be one long to be re.
membered as a meeting where thing.
were done and said. We all want K
go home and report to our banks tina
we have learned something worth
while. and resolve that a representa-,
tive from each bank in the state vii
never miss another meeting.
In conclusion, / want to state tina
we hope every one of you will enIo,
himself thoroughly, but, while the con
vention is in session, We trust tina
everyone will be in his seat, for tn,