Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1912-12-14
inde ,nnlty For Americans,


WASHINGTON, Dec. 14.-Tweaty.
a1ve Americans who were wounded or
who had relatives killed by shots from
across the Mexican border in April,
or May, 1911, should receive indemni-
ties asgre regating $4,000 from the Mex
ican government, according to re-
port to congress by commission of
army officers authorized to investi-
gate the cases Of all claims of Mexi.
cans injured on the American side by
bullets from Mexican revolutionists
or the federals disapproved.
The commission reported that Law
renee F.. Converse and Edward M.
Plat, Americans, who were charged
OH the American soil by Mexican fed
erals were not entitled to indemnity
although the Mexicans committed in
ternational wrong In crossing the Dor.
der. Converse and Plat claimed $780,.
600 each. II
Report Of Comptroller OF Currency.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 14.--Business
in general, as reflected in the condi-
tiOn OF the banks of the United States
has shared in the country's prosper
ity, according to Lawrence o. Muir
rsy in his annual report made pub
lie today.
The banking power OF the nation.
represented by capital, surplus, prof.
its, deposits and circulation, reached
during the year the enormous total or
$22,54S, ,7O7, 900, Q high record. show,
ing an Increase Of $50 per cent over
1911 and 27.8 per cent over 1908.
fSiSce 1ee4s the sbaHkinsa power HAS
increased III per cent, or more than
doubled. During the last twelve years,
the number or banks has Increased
by over 107 per cent and their vol.
une of business as indicated by de-
posits shows an increase of over 127
per cent.
The comptrOller's report consists OF
mass OF statistics with analyses.
most of which previously have been
published
In connection with the rates on
money, which recently have been
soaring, the comptroller simply OBJ
serves that the rates were normal up
to August with a tightening of the
money market thereafter. According
to the last condition report, Sep1eAn.
Der 4, the comptroller. points out that
New York and Chicago were slightly
deficient in the amount of their le-
gal reserves and st. Louis slightly
excessive. Banks in the major p0r-
tion OF other reserve cities were also
slightly deficient, but the country
banks. maintained an excess of the
legal requirements.
Less than 20 per cent Of the total
amount Of national bank notes which
the national banks might circulate
under the law has been issued. Bas-
ed upon the September 4 report, the
banks might increase their circula-
tion by $321, 1,927, 900, Mr.. Murray says.
The national banks, the report in
dicates, held over 80 per cent Of the
bonded deb of the United States in
the way OF security for circulation
and public deposits and as invest
ments.
During the fiscal year 1912, the ma
tional banks paid dividends aggregat-
ing $120,3OO.872, or 1 1:66 per cent on
capital and 6.SS per cent on capital
and surplus combined. The net earn
ings Of $149,056,6O3, were equivalent
to 1868 per cent of capital and sur.
plus. During the last 43 years the
banks have paid an average annual
dividend Of 9.l7 per cent on the cap
ital stock. WI
Eight nationaI banks, with an ,ag.
gregate capital Of $1,1O0,0O0, failed
during the year ended October 81,
while eighty-three national banks,
with an aggregate capital Of $21,6O5.-
$50, were placed in voluntary liquida-
tion.