The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1914-02-20
MAHAN'S WORK
AIDS MISSOURI
HANNIBAL LAWYER COkviNCES
COUNTRY WITH MONETARY
REFORM CAMPAIGN.
One Of Nations Largest Reserve In
stitutions In St. Louls--state's
Commercial Clubs and Farm
srs' Unions Cooperate.

OF St Louis Ia existence, as II no
doubt will be- Missouri will have
one OF the truly great financial
institutions OF the word-an institu.
ton IN which the state may take spe-
cial pride. This will be one instance,
at least, showing the advantage to
Missouri OF having a metropolis. and
proving that. as Missouri does good
for St Louis, st. Louis brings bene
fits to Missouri. too.
The initiative for reform in the
banking system Of the United States
was taken at the st. Louis convention
OF the American Bankers association
some six years ago. The association
cree led currency commission. with
Festus J. Wade president Of the Mer-
camille Trust Company Of st. Louis,
and the late Charles II. IIuttig presi-
dent Of the Third National Bank. as
members
Convinced that results could not be
achieved without cooperation from
business men and farmers. the bank
crs determined to interest the bust.
ness of the entire country in the
subject OF banking reform, and this
idea led to the pro forma incorpora.
tiOn Of the National Citizens League
for the Promotion of Sound Bank.
ing system II was this association
which really created the widespread
sentiment for new monetary
system.
George D Markham Of st Louis as
representative of the Business Mems
teagu", was one of the organizers OF
the National Citizens league
George A. Mahan OF Hannibal was
the potential factor in the educational
campaign in the Mississippi valley
Chosen by the commercial interests OF
st. Louis to lead the campaign in a
large part Of the south and west Mr.
Nathan gave a brilliant illustration OF
the virtue Of policy which cOmpels
the full confidence Of the people.
Taking charge Of the movement, Mr.
Mahan enlisted the support OF ;he St
Louis Business Mems league, the Han.
nibal Commercial club and the com.
mercial clubs OF approximately $50
Missouri cities and towns. Next he
interestes in the subject the CONNER.
cial and agricultural interests OF some
900 additional towns, Though II was
n practical impossibility to effect or.
ganizat.on in every hamlet OF the
state, 1t Is striking fact that he
identified 1000 cities. towns and VII.
lagos with the movement and built
up n powerful force for banking re,
form In all Of the ia counties
MIR. Mahan was the first person to
souri, into cooperation. the first to
bring the banks and business houses
into cooperation, Under his manage.
mcnt Missouri went into the field with
the largest and most imposing bank.
ing reform organization In America.
Mr. Mahan was appointed commit
tcenan for the Mississippi valley for
the United States Chamber of Com
merce, and he was called into confer
ences on banking reform with con-
gressional committees and with com.
mercial and banking organizations In
st. Louis. Chicago, New York and
other cities. II was his personality
and genius which gave distinction to
the movement
MIR. Mahan delivered speeches
throughout Missouri. he circulated In.
structive literature everywhere. and
bis interviews on banking reform we're
pubhshec In all parts OF the United
States.
George w. Simmons. vice-president
OF the Simmons Hardware company
OF St Louis. acted as treasurer OF the
National Citizens League OF Missouri.
lie raised the money to run the cam.
paign, and managed the associations
finances. Like Mr.. Mahan, he not only
served the cause without compensa-
tion, but at personal sacrifice and at
some expense.
The officers directing the movement
gave an admirable demonstration OF
public spirit.
THE policy applied by Mr.. Mahan in
hdVptSu othSa oNNsS'
When he first went to the CONNER
cjal, agricultural and banking inter
sesfss of Missouri he declared that he
: and ihis associates we're not pledged to
any definite plan OF banking reform.
but would indorse and advocate the
best plan advanced. regardless as to
who the author might be. He de-
clared Il was not a political. but an
tconomie question. The country. he
Insisted. was tired Of panic. and new
banking system had TO BIO established.
The system should be democratic, he
asserted. aud fair TO all sections OF
the country and ell interests.
Mr.. Mahan kept repeating this plat
form and acting In accordance with 1t,
and naturally he inspired the con-
hdence of the people. He acted CON.
.seieutiously up 10 his prcneunssmsnt
,nna bis colleagues recognised bis
worth. Mr., Mshsn rsasoese credit ea
Missouri. .,..-
Rolla wses u ~ Louis 10 mss'
s ea~nrahiv ae a urUbnb1e Uemk