The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-05-07
KANSAS BANKERS
They Are Having a Big Meeting
at Hutchinson.
Decide to Go Slow on Loans
During Tariff Revision.
HODGES SPEECH A FEATURE
Should Place More Men on
Farms and Less i'm Politics.
Personal Notes of the COnven-
tiOn and Delegates.
HODGES SPEECH A FEATURE

| HUTCHINSON, ran, May t'-AdhSdS
! bankers will go slow in making big
loans on long terms before the action
of the Democratic congress as affect
ing tariff revision is more definitely
determined. That fact is quietly ad-
mitted by many of the bankers at
tending the twenty-sixth annual state
convention in session here this week.
But for the sake of policy, the wise
and shrewd money lenders are MAX
ing little noise about the policy which
will largely control the money ques-
ton in Kansas for at least the next
year, or until the effect of the new
tariff program is better understood
throughout the country.
Tariff revision the Democrats
have planned it is a matter for Seri-
Gus consideration among the bankers.
Removing the tariff on necessities
such as coffee, sugar and wool, for
instance, might in a way not serious
ly cripple general conditions in this
state, they say. On the other hand,
there is the plan to revise the tariff
as affecting wheat and flour and
meats and cattle. And when those
subjects are mentioned, the banker. in
Kansas opens his eyes and begins to
look into the future.
So, with 900 members of the clan
in session here this week, 1t was prob
ton should have some consideration.
No one on the regular program men
toned the tariff matter in his speech.
That isn't the way that Kansas bank
ers go about doing things. In the
hotel lobbies, though, it was differ
ent-if no one was listening.
Beef Steers for Collateral
Take the meat problem for in
stance. 1t is doubtful if any of the
1,160 Kansas bankers are not car
rying loans backed by a few beef
steers as collateral. In some of the
only visible asset. Suppose the Demo-
Gratis decide to put tariff on meats
and remove the tariff from cattle.
That is the very thing the Kansas
bankers and the Kansas stock ship
pers don't want. 1t means, accord
ing to their method of arguing, that
the beef situation is in the hands of
the beef trust and-we1l, smash goes
the price of the beef steer. And con-
sequently smash goes the beef steer
as gilt edge collateral
Again. Look at the wheat ques-
ton. Shake up the wheat situation
so the Kansas farmer loses a few dol
lars and there is a wall of sorrow from
both the farmer and the Kansas
banker.
Then there is the free sugar pro-
gram. Western Kansas is. just becom-
ing sugar beet district worthy of
away from home. Remove
the tariff on sugar and the bankers
from the Garden City district are will
ing to swear that the Kansas indus |
try goes out of business.
Just at present, though, it is all
But the Kansas bank |
ers are wise crowd. They dabble |
in futures with childish glee and they
are not overlooking the opportunity |
to have a say about the tariff situa- |
ton. But they talk the matter one to |
another and say nothing for pubIica-
ton.
Interest rates have been advancing
for Is months" said a wise old bank |
er in the hotel lobbies last night /,
These rates will continue to go up |
for another year at least. And big |
To- ms will be looked at more serious |
ly than ever before. This tendency |
doesn't affect Kansas alone. 1t is |
general. But conditions in Kansas |
the same as conditions in other |
states"
There is plenty of money. Bank
ers are unanimous in saying so. But
the money may be harder to get than
in the past. Not that the man with |
a gilt edge proposition can't find
financial assistance. He can-or at
the least the bankers declare that he
cam But he must convince the cum
ming banker that the proposition re-
cent government bonds in the sub
treasury before he can pave the way
to the banks money til1s.
Governor Hodges Speech.
Governor Hodges told the state
bankers today that the Kansas legis
ature should take a rest until the
state catches up with the progressive
avs already on the statute books. He
added that more time should be de-
voted to putting men on Kansas farms
and to til1ing the soil less attention
paid to political problems and partisan
affairs.
Let legislatures case their grind"
declared Governor Hodges, until the
state catches up with the laws on the
statute books 1t is far better for a
nan that he should build an enduring
break the sod for some new
public enterprise, deepen the channel
oenefactor to his race, than that he
should be governor of a state or author
IF some law. Let's have a little less
egislation, less partisanship less poll
les less rancor. less faetionalism and
more of the get together spirit for
he good CT Kansas
Discussing the meritorious laws al
-eady on the statute books, the Kansas
executive declared that the state does
lot need new -2ilroad or corporation
avs but needs instead men to till her
soil and to build new homes.
I'VE have the best railroad enact
nents of any state in the west said
he governor I'VE have a utilities
commission law that all the interests
reading it into broad in
and sensible analysis. the
CONTINUED on Page Two.)