The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1913-12-23
MAKES REMAINDER OF YEAR
LEGAL HOLIDAY TO CHECK
RUN ON BANKS.
u. S. Cruiser Appears at San Bias
to Investigate American Case
Little Fighting.

MEXICO CITY. Dec. 22-The d.
rectors of the Bank OF London and
Mexico tonight began a careful scru-
tiny OF the affairs OF that institution
and If their finding is indorsed by
other bankers IL is not improbable
that assurances will be offered the
directors which will enable a full re-
sumption OF the business of the in
sutution. II is reasonably certain.
however. that the bank will continue
TO avail itself of the decree OF Presi-
dent Huerta issued today making the
last ten days OF the present year le-
gal holidays.
With the possible exception of one
other institution IL is believed that no
other bank than the Bank OF London
and Mexico viii take advantage OF
the official edict. which authorizes
financial institutions to do as little
or as much business as they desire
during what Is regarded as a flnan-
cial crisis. The Bank OF London and
Mexico was crowded TO its capacity
at the closing hour of business To-
day by men and women who We're
trying to withdraw their deposits.
The lines OF depositors extended from
inside the bank 10 the street.
The amounts paid depositors We're
limited to 200 pesos. and no assur-
ances were given that even this much
would be given out in the future.
The approximate amount withdrawn
from the bank since depositors began
demanding their money several days
ago is said to exceed 100000 pc
SOS. or this amount 100000 pesos
lS1.OOO.OJO) was withdrawn since last
Tuesday.
Take Advantage Of Decree.
The Bank OF London and Mexico
has in the various states twelve
branches. four Of which were closed
some time ago on account OF local
conditions. These were at Monterey
Torreon, Mazatlan and Durango. On
a minor scale the condition OF the re-
naming branches is similar TO that
of the parent institution. but all are
taking advantage of President HUI
erta's decree. which has been tele-
graphed to the various points where
the branches are located. The criti-
cal position in which the Bank of
London and Mexico was placed has
been no secret for some days TO the
other banks and the suggestion was
made on Saturday that lrs sident
Huerta be requested TO save the sit
uation by making IL possible for n
bank legally to refuse payments for
a period. The management demurred
as IL believed IL could weather IL out.
but at the opening hour this morning
IL became evident that II could not.
and the finance department was
called upon for aid.
decree was prepared and the
search for the president was begun.
lie was located shortly before noon
and affixed his signature without hes
itation. An extra edition OF FL Diario
Official was published. carrying the
decree. and with this posted conspicu-
ousiy i'm and about the building. the
doors of the bank were opened early
IN the afternoon.
Congress Conferred Right.
President Huerta's right to issue the
decree was the result OF the action oil
Congress prior TO its adjournment,
when it vested in him extraordinary
power over three departments OF the
government. including the department
Of finance. The decree recited that
70 was issued in accordance with this
evtraOrdinary power. and that the hol.
! ideys we're decreed "on account Of the
difficult circumstances in which the
country finds itself and in order 20
give sufficient time for unfoundcd
alarm which has been created among