The Topeka state journal., 1913-02-15
HIS BANK CLASS
j. n. DOlley Gives Examination
to Six Cashiers.
Workings of the New Plan to
Make Competent Bankers.

The first class of state bank en-
ployees desiring to secure department
diplomas as to their qualifications tC
serve as cashiers and managing Off
GERS. finished taking their examina-
tionS at the state banking department
today. The examination has required
three days, and from now on Bank
Commissioner ]. y. Dolley announces
similar classes will be held every
month.
The program of providing for a class
of persons to be examined follows out
Mr.. Dolley's idea, promulgated last
August when he took the position that
every person who was to be advanced
to managing positions in state banks
must satisfy the department of his
qualifications to hold the office. But
the program of holding a regular eX-
animation for such position is entirely
new. The present class consists in six
men who. in addition to personal ques-
tions regarding their habits and modes
of life, have answered 100 questions re-
lating to corporation law, the guaranty
law, the negotiable instrument law,
and Kansas banking statutes and prac-
tical and technical points of everyday
banking.
The plan is proving a decided sue
cess, and already has attracted atten-
tion from other states, there having
DSen nine IOf examinations
from other states. The scheme also is
being watched with n good deal of in
terest by Lawrence Murray, national
comptroller of currency.
Mr.. Dolley calls attention in his de-
partment order providing for the eX-
aminations to the incompetency and
lack of education in banking as a
cause for much of the trouble in the
Kansas banks. He declares he wants
to place the banking institutions of the
state on the highest possible plane
and to provide a means whereby, for
the protection of bank owners and de-
positorS, on one but thoroughly expert
enced men may stand at the head of
each banks affairs.
So, established this month, he has
arranged for monthly examinations of
prospective managing officers of state
banks which amounts to civil SER
vice examination, and upon the an
swers to 100 technical questions pro-
pounded the applicants will be graded,
Il perfect score being 100 points. I'm
der the terms of the rules laid down
applicant will be passed if ne makes
q grade of 20. If he fails to make such
a grade he may take the eXaminatio
again within 30 days. and failing a
second time may take the examination
after the expiration of a year. Those
who pass the examination will receive
diplomas signed by the bank depart
personal integrity, no diplomas to be
issued until the department has satis-
fed itself both that the applicant is
capable and honest
Textbooks covering the subjects upon
which the applicants will be examin-
ed viii be furnished to those desiring
them, and the examining board ar
nounces it will be pleased to offer any
suggestions and any information to
prospective applicants.
The plan is believed to be an excel
lent one, and d big step towards pro-
Viding efficiency in the 900 state banks
of the state, placing 4 ban on those
who would secure offices of Importance
in banks through a pull" no matter
how incompetent. and providing for
high standard )f proficiency in the
banking business.
The examining board consists in
Commissioner DoIley and two assist
ants, S. W. Warden and F. ]. Part
ridge
Those who finished taking the ex-
animation today, constituting the first
class, although many have been ex-
amined heretofore singly include the
following: l. w. Waynan, cashier
Emporia State bank Emporia: F. B.
Graham. assistant cashier. Florence
State bank, Florence; r. c. Stone, vice
president Hesston State bank Hes
ston, ]. L. Jacques, assistant cashier
stock YaroS State bank, Wichita; H.
G. Hawley, cashier Farmer State bank
Potter, and w. c. SalthOuse, cashier
Elyria State bank, Elyria
a provision of the rules governing
the examinations is that no person who
has had less than two years experi-
ence in banking will be eligible to a
diploma IN any event, and those who
have had five or more years will not
De required to take the EXAMINATIONS