The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-14
HARD|NG'S PLACE IS HARD ID FILL
 CLAIM DIRECTORS Major Tutwiler Said to Be Scheduled for Chairman
 of the Board
NAMES MENTIONED
 FOR PRESIDENCY
Gossip Is Heard to Effect That the Directors May Go Outside of Birmingham to Fill
 Place
Ky CLYDE w. ENNIS

Following n meeting yesterday of tho First National executive committee, 1t was said that the directors who are mem- bers of that committev are Just much at loss to know who will succeed W. P. G. Harding as president as they were on tho day after Mir. Harding announced that he would accept a place rendered hin, on the federal reserve board. Tho exec utive committee did not have Mir. Hard ing with them yesterday because of his absence in Decatur at the state bank ers' meeting.
 It Is said to be literally true that the | officials and large stockholders of tho
 First National have no idea who will
 succeed Mr. Harding as president. In
 well informed circles 1t is said that tho
 officials of the First National consider | that they are confronted with big
 problem. MT. Hardings' tremendous ca
 pacity for detail work and his compre-
 hension of big problems have trained the directors of the First National to expect n great deal from their president. It | Is for that reason all the more difficult to figure out who will be the most ac- ceptable and the most competent man to secure for the big job' There are few men in Birmingham who work harder or give more study and thought to affairs than the president of the First National. Mr. Harding. when he succeeded Nat Barker. realized tho magnitude of his job and from that day until this he has worked unceasingly for the First National.
 Ii is said to be a fact that a chairman of the board will be chosen The First National has no such office now. Maj.
 E. NJ. Tutwiler has been suggested and
 rumors have it that he will become chair-
 man of the board He would not talk
 one way or the other yesterday in this
 connection. He only answered questions
 by saying that he could not discuss the
 affairs of the First National at this
 time.
 1 II Is reported that ]. IT Barr. ranking 1 officer and ld-time employe will be made
 president. He Is thoroughly familiar with 1 the work. In the absence of the presi-
 dent he handles all the executive work
 practically. In additioi,, he Is financier
 of no mean ability. Mir Barr, it is con-
 sidered has the best chance of anyone at this time This opinion is held by all local bankers outside of the First | National group.
 ! If he does not get the promotion the choice will be among three local men. 1t is believed, with the further possi- bi1ty that an outslce man will be of fered the place. A great many men are considered eligible fin some way or the other, but few men have all tho qualifications that must go with Inc pres idency of that bank. Those mentioned a g in fIIa ison. Jr.. John L. kauf and W. II Has, singer, all of whom are directors of the First National. One Is able to find va- rious arguments why ail of them or either of them would reject accept the place. Notwithstanding logical arguments that could be made for or against what they would do. 1t is accepted that those mem toned are in serious measure being considered for the place
 When the problem that confronts the directors of the First National is re- duced to the last analysis it Is believed that Mir. Harding will have named his successor. II Is not intended that the Iintimation should be conveyed that the directors will not act according to their judgment. They will without douot. However, 1t Is held that the directors having such implicit confidence in the judgment of Mir. Harding and reallz- ing his almost maternal regard for the First National. will be able to advise them as to who Is the best fitted man. Viewing the proposition broadly 1t is safe to say that at this time the of ficials of the First National are per- fectly at sea as to who vii. get tnN coveted but exacting job But the reas issue seems to be whether the man shall be home product or whether an imported hnancer shall pluck the plum.
 In the meantime MT Harding has not advised his directors officially that ho intends to quit. He will do so, however, within the next 10 days. 1t is believed. whereupon will be announced simul- taneously his successor.
 Men of affairs here are inclined to look with compassion upon that sd- venturous spirit that tackles the job to be vacated by William P. c. Harding.
 Incorporation
 The following incorporation was yes terday recorded i'll the office of tho