The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-12-16

state-chartered banks as whole through
out the United States will remain perma
nentiy out of the federal system or else
there will be such changes in the federal
reserve law as will sufficiently tempt the
state banks TO become members of the
system. W
To Eliminate Politics
One proposition which is under srious
consideration in this state is the advis-
ability of so changing the law as to
make the state bank superintendent a life
officer receiving each year a salary of
s2o,0oo. In the past politics has OCCASION
ally interfered with the wise administra-
ton of this office. The state banks SUI
perintendent. in the view of many bank
ers, should be as far remote from politi-
cal influence as our judges who hold their
office for life or a long time. A salary OF
10000 would be ample to secure the high
est ability for this service. The New York
Clearing House association has already
learned how expedient 1t Is to make choice
Tor important office of some one per-
fectly qualified for that office who is as
sured of holding it as long as he meets
It's responsibilities and who cannot be
tempted away by offers of better salary.
Several years ago the Clearing House as
for the delicate responsibility of exam
ming the the various member banks. HIS
salary was fixed so high-understood to
be $4,000 a year-that IL would be i'm
possible to tempt him from this service
His office Is practically for life. The
experiment has proved successful from
every point of view, and 1t was undoubt-.
eddy this. in part at least, which has per-
suaded state bankers OF New York to ad-
vocate the appointment for life, or for
very long term, of a state bank superin-
tendent whose salary would be large
enough to make him immune from any
temptation to give up that service.
Governor-elect Whitman Perplexed
District Attorney Whitman will. when
he becomes governor In January. have
opportunity to fill the vacancy occasioned
by his resignation of the district attor-
neyship. He is reported to have had
some ideal conceptions respecting this
responsibility. illustrated by the fact that
he has reached out for one after another
OF the leading members OF the New York
bar. George G. Wickersham, Attorney
General in President Tafts cabinet, is
spoken of as having mellowed n good
deal since he resumed private practice.
Before he became Attorney General he
was not very well known. He encoun-
tered some antagonisms while Attorney
General but since he has begun new
practice at the bar he has revealed often
many charming qualities, especially a
keen sense of humor which he often util-
ICES in describing some of his experiences
as Attorney General. Had he been will
Ing to say yes. he would be district at
torney of New York county after jan
uary !. But Mr.. Wickersham is COM
monty reported to be gaining profess
sional income not far from $4,000 year
His practice came back all right, and has
been very remunerative; moreover. it is
congenial work and district attorney
of New York county is compelled to face
many disagreeable situations.
Mr.. Whitman is reported then to have
turned to William d. Guthrie. There was
nothing in the district attorneyship
which would tempt him. Some years
ago he gained the absolutely unique
reputation of having received the largest
fee ever paid for strictly professional
work. 1t is understood to have been
81 100000 and was in payment for his sue
cessfu1 professional service In the litlga-
ton which followed the attempt to pro-
bate the will of the railroad capitals
Plant who left about $1,000. Oo0 but tied
up In a very complicated trust.
Many persons since Mr.. Whitman's
election have spoken inquiringly Of his
intellectual qualifications. Those who
know Mr.. Whitman best say that thief
among them is a persistence, a dogged
determination and a quality of immova-
bility after he has once made up his mind
which recall Charles Z. Hughes when he
was governor. Moreover, Mr.. whitman
has possessed some tact. but he has yet
difficult lesson Of New York state poll