Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1914-03-08
DEPOSITORS ARE
DELAYING AUDIT
BANKS ACCOUNTS
Have Themselves TO DIANE
For Delay in Arriving at a
Settlement

The difficult task of adjusting the
affairs Of the Americus National bank
has been considerably accelerated re
Gently, and glimpse of daylight in the
distance is reported by citizens here
possessed of extraordinary vision-and
optimism The summing up of events
of the past week appears, at least,
brighter to the trustful nine hundred
depositors who, to apply a familiar
phrase, loved not wisely but too
we'll"
These take hope at varying reports
emanating from various sources re-
garding the ultimate homeward flight
of their long-vanished dollars. With
Uncle Sam umpiring the game, they
feel that they will, in the end, be
winners.
The greatest present difficulty in the
way Of adjustment is afforded by the
depositors themselves. They stand in
their own way. An audit of accounts
cannot be completed until individual
passbooks are turned in to the re-
ceiver, and yet there are several nun
dred depositors who fatty refuse to
give in their books. This delays the
work of the auditors and in the end.
such depositors who obstinately re
fuse to hand in their passboo&s m9y
be debarred from getting anything at
all when depositors are paid off. Notice
to this effect is published daily.
Passbooks, in the hands of owners,
are absolutely worthless. If such
books are audited with the other
books, the owners of all will share
alike in the payment of depositors.
1t is understood that the federal
authorities will consent to a liquida-
tion of the bank by local parties, undar
certain defined conditions, but even
this cannot be done until an audit is
completed, which many depositors are
delaying, as stated above, by foolishly
holding on to their little deposit
books. The force of auditors, recent
ly increased, would quickly complete
the work in hand.
Officers and directors of the strand
ed bank are anxious to get authority
to the end of taking over the institu-
tion and re-adjusting its affairs, but
if depositors obstinately refuse to CO.
operate to that end by giving up pass
books this delay win be extended the
full limit of three months, dating from
February Sd, whereas, otherwise all
the depositors and creditors might be
raid off within few days.
In the mantime there comes no It'd
ings from G. D. Wheatley, Jr., former
-ly assistant cashier, and who disap-
peared at the time of the banks col
lapse. There are many stories as to
his whereabouts, but nothing of an
authentic nature. His bondsmen ex-
press willingness to pay the amount
Of his bond in full, $4,000, when desir-
ed. However, such demand has not
yet been made on the company.
The status of Cashier M. M. Lowreys
bond is not entirely clear to the pub
lie, and officials in charge of the bank
politely decline to give any informa-
tion thereupon.
Committee Gone to Washington
Three gentlemen representing in
terests of the Americus National left
last night for Washington for the pur-
pose of comforting with authorities
there regarding the plans arranged
here for settling up affairs of the bank
and paying eff its Indebtedness with
out delay. Col w. T. Lane, represent
ing the banks officers; Mr.. Hollis
Fort and DR.. ]. r. Statham, represent
ing others here interested.
This committee will lay all the
facts in the case before the comp