The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-05
HARDING HAS HAD NOFORMAL NOTICE: OF APPOINTMENT Withholds Comment on Be. ing Named on Federal
 Reserve Board MUCH SPECULATION
 AS TO ACCEPTANCE Local Banker Will Not Take Step Until After Careful Considera- tion-Unusual Interest Felt
 in Selection

w. P, G. Harding. president of the First National bank of Birmingham, had received no formal notice of his appoint meht as member of the federal reserve board last night. He stated that his only information on the subject was through the press reports and in the absence of formal advices he preferred to withhold comment on the subject
 All Birmingham was keenly interested in the announcement that a Birmingham banker had been selected for the reserve board and many congratulations poured in upon MT. Harding Telegrams of con graduation came from banker friends in New York and other parts of the coun- try but Mir Harding said he preferred to say nothing on the subject until he had received definite advices.
 Mir. Hardings name for sometime has been connected with the reserve board. and 1t will be recalled that the first men ton of the probability of his appointment came from The Age Herald's correspond ent about three weeks ago The New York Journal of Commerce of last Sat urday contained an intimation that Mr. Harding would be selected. and the Jour nal contained very complimentary no- tice of his qualifications for the place This was regarded as significant because the Journal of Commerce keeps in such close touch with financial affairs.
 Wide Speculation
 As to MT. Harding's S accepting the place if rendered him. there Is norizen rol wide speculation. He may and he may not He Is devoted to Birmingham, hei interests and her people He has been here for 2s years, and has watched this city grow from an infant into the iron hercules that she is. It will be a matter of sincere regret to him to leave Bir- mingham. He would have to resign from the First National He would have tc dispose of all interest in the bank. He would have to move to Washington and Nelnquish his home In Birmingham. Hs %oulds have to aever the frloselship tie. of over quarter of 8 century. Although MT. Harding is in comfortable financia circumstances. he is not regarded as wealthy, and his present salary is con siderably more than the salary of a mem Der of the reserve board
 He will of necessity consult the direc- tors and the stockholders of his bank. If they insist on his remaining here and press that desire on patriotic grounds MT. Harding may feel mpeied to give up the signal honor conferred upon him. Again he may take the viewpoint that here Is a chance to serve the nation in most inn portant capacity and accept. His decision i. l.. A. consideration and thought His accept ance or declination of the honor will be delayed few days until he has the full est time for deliberation and consultation with his directors and stockholders. Some of them have already said they would strenuousy resist his taking the place Others recognizing the greatness of the opportunity will give their opinions based upon the wider opportunities presented
 Vacancy Will Be Left
 If Mir. Harding takes the place he vii leave a vacancy in the presidency of tn, First National. Speculation suggest. that j. H. Barr, vice president. would bs made president, that Thomas H. Hopkins would be made vice president from tn. cashiers place while at this time no on, Is quite willing to suggest a possbl, successor for MT. Hopkins from among the assistant cashiers
 Throughout Birmingham when the se lection of Mir. Harding was known tt be official. there was unusual interest All financial leaders commented upor the honor conferred upon MT. Harding and Birmingham bankers with reputa. tions for caution suggested at once that Mir. Harding could scarcely refuse the appointment. He was the recipient ol many calls from friends most of whom discussed the appointment informally.
 MT. Harding, as pointed out by tho Journal of Commerce, worked himself up from clerkship to the presidency of the First National of Birmingham He paid the largest check at ths time ever recorded here on on, transaction when as cashier of tn, First National he handled a check of tn, late H. T. DeBardeleben for $1,000,000.