The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-04
Awarding of Regional Bank to Atlanta Attributed
 to Politics
WANT PASSENGER
 TO BE A DIRECTOR
Local Bankers Center on Him as Bir- mingham Member of Board-Lane and Shook Comment on
 Location of Bank

The action of the federal reserve board in selecting Atlanta oyer Birmingham as the regional reserve bank city of the southeastern section was the cause of gen eral regret throughout the city yesterday When the first published announcement, which was unofficial, reached the public Thursday many did not believe it could be true and there remained the vestige of hope that the official returns would give to Birmingham the regional bank When The Age-Herald of yesterday reached the public with the announcement that At lanta, in truth. had been selected over this city, the last hope was swept away.
 Nearly everyone seemed to be of the opinion of w II. Ketug, that politics had figured largely in the selection of Atlanta, and the fact that Atlantas loea- tion in the extreme eastern edge of the district outlined by Birmingham only added force to this argument Another factor pointing to political influence in Atlanta's favor was that the sixth federal reserve district is practically that out lined by N. F. G. Harding, former presi- dent of the Chamber of Commerce, who made the prlncipal argument for Bir- mlnSham during the hearing in Atlanta.
 At the time ot the hearing in February it was generally conceded that Birming- ham made a better showing than Atlanta Mir Harding rened entirely on facts and figures and did not attempt to reacn the heights of oratory attained by Senator Hoke Smith of Georgia, who followed Mir Harding on the stand and who made a speech in which he admitted that At lanta had been promised a regional bank before the Senate passed the currency bill
 One phase of the selection of the re- gional bank cities that caused general surprise here was that both Richmond and Atlanta received regional banks It had been considered certain that if Ricn- mond secured one of the banks Atantu would be eliminated and that this would leave the race between New Orleans and Birmingham. As to whether New Or leans will make application for branch of the Atlanta bank Is q cause of gen. eral speculation.
 Secretary Radcliffe of the Chamber of Commerce yesterday received a day let tergram from J. s. Reese, president of the Citizens and Peoples National bank of Pensacola, in which he expressed his regret at the failure of the board to elect Birmingham as the regional bank city. The telegram follows; "l see Birming- ham and our outside friends have been told to go way back and sit down, but there IS something else to come and we will stand together on other issues. Tell all that l feel mighty poorly today over the result.
 Pensacola not only indorsed Birming- ham as it's. choice for a regional bank, but sent a representative along with the Birmingham party to plTn the claim of Birmingham and add Pensaeolas name to the list of cities indorsing the Magic City.
 Shook Issues Statement
 Paschal c. Shook, president of the Chamber of Commerce, issued a short statement last night when asked for a comment. It follows:
 Commissioner Wards diagnosis of the regional bank matter is unques- tionably rational and suggests the ne cessity of our padding our own canoe. Being thrown on our own resources in the development of our city and dis trict we naturally will strive all tne harder to utilize every opportunity to boost Birmingham. l am confident that the commissioners keenly disappointed as they are, over the loss of the region al bank will concur in this view and will permit no luther unnecessary delay In the construction of a municipal au- ditorium.
 While deploring our losses we should rejoice over our achievements. We have lost a regional bank but in a previous contest, purely local and among our selves We won an auditorium. Let us have it.
 And further, let every man not q member join the Chamber of Commerce. The membership campaign will shortly be launched
 Lane Comments
 'Td much rather see big factory or new industry brought to Birming- ham than a regional bank, anyhow said Judge A. O. Lane yesterday in dis cussing the matter. "Of course, they could not give a bank to every city that wanted one," said the judge, but while I'm sorry that Birmingham did not win out, at the same time I'm not much disappointed. l don't see where 1t would ever have amounted to much for the city anyhow-a little advertis ing now, but after the newness wore off I think it would seldom ever be mentioned.
 factories and industrial plants to em- ploy men and keep money in circula- tion rather than a new set of vaults to salt our money away some place, according to my casual opinion"
 Passenger for Director
 W. H. Hassinger of the board of directors of the First National bank and member of the executive com mittee, has been centered upon by local bankers as the Birmingham director of the regional reserve bank to be located in Atlanta. This information was generally understood yesterday MT. Hassinger has been requested to permit the Birmingham bankers to of fer his name and it is stated that he has agreed to consider the matter. No official of the banks of this city par ticipating in the creation of the re