Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1914-03-13

We have Just been in the presence OF
the best board OF bankers that we ever
saw. They are all what the Wall
street clerk would call 'rubesi" they
are "hay-seeds." They are farmers
who, as you know. must not be con
fused with agriculturists. When we
think of American banks and bankers
we think of the buildings which have
the finest fronts In town and OF the
men who also put up the finest fronts.
We think OF shrewd tellers who never
tell anything; OF cashiers who are
constantly upon the point Of refusing
cash to those who need II most; OF
boards of directors who sit In softly
carpeted rooms on upholstered chairs,
around polished Circassian walnut
tables. The Irish bankers we have
Just seen wore mud-bespattered
CLOTHES. They sat in a pine fioored
room, on rough chairs, around rough
table upon which a smoking. smelling
kerosene lamp cast a dim light that
was almost a shadow.
Business Before History.
In our search for all that ia good In
rural organization. we landed last
night In Limerick. Limerick Is a
mighty interesting city. founded by
the Danes thousand years ago; a
city which Cromwell's forces could not
enter until the plague and starvation
had conquered the defenders who
could not be conquered by the sword:
city which IN 1890 withstood a
siege by King William, who was baf-
ned because the women OF the city
fought with the men; a city whence
came the wild geese who few from
ireland to Spain and other southern
lands so they might indulge their war
like tastes which could no longer be
exercised in ireland.
But Just now more important than
historic Limerick Is the modern VII
lage OF Foynes with its egg marketing
society and its farm credit associa
ton. SO to Foynes we came this
afternoon through a driving rain oveI
80 miles OF the fine Irish roadwayI
which a days heavy rainfall can only
soften into slight slipperlness. We
are under the guidance of A. NJ. Rid
die an organizer and inspector OF co
operative societies, employed by th'
Irish Agricultural Organization 80
ciety: a bright, eager. energetic
tactful Irishman who. after lonl
study and years of hard work in co
operative societies throughout Europe
knows cooperation from A TO Y.
Farmers Who Are Bankers.
At seven o'clock on this rainy nigh
we found six OF the seven members o
the loan committee assembled IN tn
village clubhouse. Here are 81
shrewd but kindly Irish gentlemen
who know their business thoroughly
Some OF them have driven mile
through rain and wind. All are serN
/ ing without pay One Is the manage
Of little sawmill. previously. a schoe
teacher: another is an intelligent e.
member of the Royal Irish constabt
larry; one operates successfully
large rented farm; one is a raiser G
blooded horses; one IL sharp-tongue
! but at heart. good natured farmel
who is evidently believer in discree
klndliness concealed under apparer
harahness: one 10 a clerk In q me
! camille establishment The secretar
10 retired school teacher with goo
: working knowledge Of accounting an
l. business methods.
, How They Work.
D The inspector had previously locke
!, over all the books and accounts an
4 had made memoranda OF transaction
: which needed explanation and Of d
linquencles calling for eommen
!, Some or the cases called viii serve I
d illustrations OF the character OF y
d loans made as wen az OF the methe
= OF inspection employed. They are
d Illustrative also or the attitude Of Il
r. committee toward the borrower.
D John O'Brien had taken four yea
3 in which to repay loan Of ~ pound
:. The books showed that immediate
e upon the repayment Of this FIRST lof
D another lean had been made 20 hii
Is To he inspector the sec0rd lo'
II seemed a loan 10 enable the borrow
TO repay the previous loan, and co
sequently unwiEc and contrary TO q
= rules. The committee showed. no
v ever. that the mans Elowness In ]
paying the FIRST loan was due u sic
y ness and hard luck
Then the interesting fact appear
that the second Jean was given 10 2
able the borrower 20 send brig
if torrteen-year-oid son to school. !
o. the purpose Of better qualifying d
'. IS a wage Garner. The plan had q
nt ceeded. The boy had been AZ sehs
y sight months had done well. had
ie cured a position. and was nov 50
le nated that he could assist, and =
Of assisting. in the repayment Of
loan. The Inspector, on understai
&c ing the purpose Of the second 10
N Endorsed Il az q perfectly legitimi
y one, and sanctioned the action Of
sommittee.