The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-15
His Appointment by Presi-
dent Wilson Very Pleas
ing in Birmingham
VISITED HERE OFTEN
AS HEAD OF SEABOARD
Comptroller of Currency Will Have
Much More Responsibility Under
Federal Reserve Act-Williams
Is Mature Business Man

The appointment of John SHELTON Will
liams as comptroller of the currency
by President Wilson Tuesday was re-
ceived with decided approval in Birminy-
ham. 1t seems to be the consensus of
opinion among the business men of the
city that the President could not have
made a better selection had he searched
the country over. Mr.. Williams is we'll
known in Birmingham, having many
friends here. He it was who when pres
ident of the Seaboard Air Line pushed
that road from Atlanta to birmingham,
and brought about the completion of
the system which has meant SO much
to this city.
The bankers of Birmingham are pleased
with the appointment of Mr. Williams and
expressed themselves in unmistal1ahle
terms. 1t was the best appointment that
could have been made, is the tenor of
their remarks. President Harding of the
First National bank. in speaking of tho
appointment, said
John Shelton Williams has many
friends in Birmingham. He was a FIRE.
quent visitor to this city during the years
when he was president of the SeaboarC
Air Line railway. He has made an ex
| cellent record as assistant secretary o
the treasury and his appointment as thu
comptroller of the currency is gratifying
to his numerous friends throughout thu
south.
Under the new federal reserve ac
! the office of comptroller. always an i'm
| portant one, carries with it far create
| responsibilities than ever before, as tho
comptroller is eX officio a member o
the federal reserve board. The position
of comptroller of the currency has In
times past been regarded as a stepping
stone for advancement in business life
but in the case of Mr.. Williams the Of
flee will be filled by a man of ripe eX-
perience, who has already attained the
highest rank in business affairs. / am
sure that he will discharge the duties
CT his new position with great ability
w. II. Kettig, chairman of the regional
bank committee of the Chamber of Com
merce, said last night that he did not
believe the President could have made
a better selection. 81 know Mr.. Viii
liams," said Mr.. Kettig, land | know
lie is a friend to Birmingham. He i;
well fitted for the position 20 which he
has been appointed and it pleased me
greatly to see that he had been given
the place"
Leo X Steiner said briefly. 1.-THE selec.
tion was good' and there was a wor
OF expression in the simple sentence.
John Skelton Williams has been as
sistant secretary of the treasury since
the advent of the new administrator
and is considered one of the closest
friends of Mr.. McAdoo. That his an.
pointment will be confirmed by the Sen.
ate is not doubted for a moment b.
those in position to know, although there
are some who say that considerable OPP
position is developing in the Senate, Ger
tain eastern interests wishing to keer
Mr.. Williams name off the board.
Mr.. Williams is peculiarly fitted for
his new position, having for many years
successfully conducted one of the largest
banking houses in the country, which
he himself organized. He is a graduale
of the University of Virginia