Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-01-16
MADDOX DENIES
WILLIAMS IS
ANTAGONIST
"ReIations Most Cordial and
FriendIy"-American National
Congratulated Comptroller,

Robert F. Maddox. former Mayor
and vice president Of the American
National Bank, Friday expressed
great surprise at the testimony Civ
en- by Milton Y. Allies, Of the Riggs
National Bank, in Washington. that
John SHELTON Williams. nomn mated for
Comptroller Of the Currency was
preJudiced against him
81 was very much surprised TO read
In this mornings Constitution a tele-
gram purporting to give a part OF
the testimony Of Milton f. Allies. Of
the Riggs National Bank Washington.
before the Banking and Currency
Committee of the Senate in regard
to the confirmation of the nomiua-
ton Of John Shelton Williams for
Comptroller Of the Currency" said
Mr.. Maddox when the dispatches
were called to his attention
Use of Name Unexpected.
The use Of my name by Mr. Allies
in connection with his opposition to
the confirmation OF Mr.. Williams
nomination was entirely unexpected
and unauthorized by me. His state
ment that Mr.. Williams opposed my
selection as a director OF the Sea
board Air Line is news to me In
fact, Mr.. Williams has not been con-
nected with the Seahoard since 7 have
been one or Its directors.
While | have heard that there was
some feeling between Mr.. Williams
and some of the leading factors in
the present Seaboard ownership. the
cause for the same originated years
ago, with which | was not even re
motely connected. and when / had
no interest whatever in the Seaboard.
MIR Allies statement that Mr..
Williams endeavored to prevent the
American National Bank from Sc
curing its quota Of the crop moving
funds is also news to me. ] repre-
scented the Atlanta Clearing House,
by request. at the meeting with Sec
Rotary McAdoo on this subject. and !
believe that all the Atlanta banks
receiving deposits were satisfied with
the amounts allotted to them.
THE American National certainly
was, as we received a deposit of
$4,000 which was entirely satisfac-
tory.
Relations Most Cordial.
MY relations with Mr. Williams
while he was actively connected with
the Seaboard were most cordial and
friendly, and ] realize that he has
been an important factor in the de-
veiopment Of some OF the leading en-
terprises of the South lie lis a
gentleman OF ability and Construc
tive enterprise. and by his experience
is fully equipped for the position of
Comptroller and 10 serve as mem
Der OF the Federal Reserve Board.
AS a further evidence of the at
titude of the American National
Bank toward Mr. Williams, | viii
state that upon reading the press
dispatch that Mr.. Williams nOmina-
tton had gone to the Senate, the fol-
lowing telegram was sent by the
bank:
"'Our officers and directors wish
TO extend 10 you sincere CongTatula-
lions upon your appointment by Pres
ident Wilson to Office of Comptroller
OF the Currency.
Press Reports Exaggerated.
while the newspapers throughout
the country have published several
articles commenting upon the sup
posed antagonism of some Of the
leading officials Of the present Ad-
ministration toward some of the lead
ing banking institutions in New York,
/ hope and believe that the same has
been exaggerated, and | am sure that
the present attitude of the banks
throughout the country is to coop
crate sincerely and cordially with the
Administration in putting the new
currency bill into operation for the
benefit of the whole country.
81 believe that President Wilson
and his party deserve the conEratu-
lations OF the bankers as a whole for
the currency bill which has Just been
enacted, and that in this, as well as
the other patriotic efforts Of the Ad
ministration, all personal prejudiCes-
IL any exist-will be eliminated, and
the business interests Of the Coun-
try will unite in giving 70 the Pres
iCient and his associates their earn
est support and encouragement