The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-07
HARDING ID MAKE DECISION ID HIS
 DIRECTORS TODAY Said to Be Little Doubt But What He Will Accept
 Appointment
HOLDS CONFERENCE WITH BANK DIRECTORS
Letter of Appointment Received Yesterday and Will An nounce Decision To Directors At
 10 O'Clock This Morning

bank will inform his board or directors whether or not he will accept his appoint ment by President Woodrow Wilson as member of the federal reserve bank board
 It was learned yesterday for the first time that Mir. Harding's appointment is for a term of eight years.
 There seems practically no doubt now but what MT. Har6eng will accept.
 Mir Harding himself. however, stead fastly insisted last night that he had not yet made up his mind and probably would not do so until at least 9:3O O clock this morning.
 Whatever predictions you want to make are all right he told r reporter yester- day. but you'll have to do it on your own responsibility. I can't tell you any thing for the simple reason that I have not yet made up my mind"
 Wilson's Letter Received
 A letter from President Wilson ten dering Mir. Harding the appointment was received by the bank president yesterday morning. Yesterday afternoon the board of directors of the First National met and MT. Harding formally laid the matter before them. Concerning what action the board took or what was said there was nothing to be made public yesterday, but it is known that the board mem- bers look at the proposition from broad point of view and consider that in a way MT Harding's appointment is rec ognition of the city as well as recogni- tion of a man. While the board members admit that the loss of Mir Harding as president of the institution will be keenly felt, it is generally understood that they are sincerely pleased with his appoint ment and will assume such an official position regarding the matter as to leave MT. Harding's choice entirely to himself and his personal feelings
 Among MT. Harding's friends the sen timent grew steadily yesterday that his chances of being madA governor of the board were excellent since Mir Olney had declined the appointment The stream of personal calls from friends offering congratulations and letters and telegrams of congratulations. continued to pour into Mir Harding's offices at the First National bank all day yesterday His friends are urging him to accept the appointment on the grounds that although Birmingham's loss of his cit izenship and aid will be great, the op- portunity for big things in the future through his appointment are still greater and that in the long run he may in time be able to do things for Birmingham that otherwise would have been impos- sible.
 Financial Question
 As to the financial phase of the aues- tion it is generally believed it will have little effect on Mir Earding's decision While he will be drawing a smaller salary in the new position than at present it is generally believed Mr. Harding has sufficient private fortune now to warrant his disregardng the financial question of the new position providing it appealed to him otherwise.
 There are some big inducements on both sides of the question:" said MT. Harding yesterday evening" "It's a diff ficult proposition to think of breaking away from Birmingham after living here so long and being as closely associated with the growth and ambitions and ideals of the city as I have tried to be-
 Not Made Up Mind
 T have not yet made up my mind, but I have told the poard of directors l would announce to them my decision at 10 o'clock tomorrow morning and will do so. Until then, however, I in- tend to weigh and reweigh every bit of evidence on both sides of the question and do not expect to know myself what I will do before a haf hour before it is time to tell the directors.
 'I want to thank my many friends for their kind words of advice and con- graduation and I want to assure them at the same time that whatever Is my announcement to the board of directors tomorrow morning in making it I will have considered the good of Birmingham as much as anything else"
 Board of Trade Congratulations The Board of Trade committee to con- graduate w. P. G. Harding upon his appointment as member of the federal reserve board, draftes sne resolutions to this effect and the entire committee called on MT. Harding at the First National bank and presented them in person. Mir. Harding expressed his deep apprecia- ton to the committee and the hoard. The resolutions were as follows:
 Whereas, Honorable Woodrow Wilson. President of the United States, has ex- ercised his good judgment in the selec- tion of MT. w. P. G. Harding as n member of the federal reserve board and
 Whereas, MT Harding is member of the Chamber of Commerce with which this DOuy IS animated. therefore, be 1t
 Resolved, That the Board of Trade through the undersigned special commit tee. extends to MT. Harding its warmest congratulations and best wishes
 Re it Further Resolved, We believe tnis appointment is most wise and con 1ers high honor upon the appointee. his clty ana state. and the entire south as
 JOE K. sAKs. Chairman.
 IL. BLOCK,
 GEO. MCLEERY.
 U. D. COLLINS.
 VI. H. FINDER,
 WM. c. RADCLIFFE.
 Special Committee."