Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-04-30
Mr.. BURKE DEGREES
RIGGS CONTROVERSY
Treasurer Declares Dragging
in of Politics Wholly
UnWarranted.
ONLY QUESTION AT ISSUE
is LAW IN THE CASE
Suit to Go to Highest Court to Set
tle Scope of Controllers
Powers. He Says.

Powers. He Says.
The issue between the Riggs Ma
tinnal Bank and officials of the Treas
ury Depa rtmeut. in the opinion OF John
Burke treasurer of the United States.
has 10 further significance than points
of law which both parties to the lltl-
cation should wish resolved IN ac-
cordance with right and justice Ar
Burke. in an interview with reporter
for The Star. today deplored efforts
to drag into the case political aspects
or significance, well as the sugges-
tion of dissension among federal Off
cials and general discord and concern
in the administration. He made a
plea for dispassionate consideration OF
the controversy.
One development today was that ma
tional banks, trust companies and saw
ings institutions located in Washing
ton received from the office of the con-
tro]1er of the currency new forms on
which are to be made statements OF
the condition of the banks when calls
are issued in future for such state
ments. The new forms contain spaces
for the furnishing of a number of ad-
ditional details not heretofore required
of the banking institutions and in
connection with the controversy be-
tween the Riggs National Bank and
Treasury officials. who are accused Of
trying to wreck the bank it was said
by counsel for the bank today that in
general the information about to be
demanded of all the banks has here
tofore been demanded only of the
Riggs National Bank.
Riggs Bank Charges.
Counsel for the Riggs Bank made the
statement that not only has the additional
information on the new forms been de-
manded of the Riggs Bank in particular
in the past, but that much other informa-
tion not comDrehended in the new forms
has also been demanded by the control
le" oi the Riggs Bank in the past. The
seEGlaG out of the forms for state
ine:ts by the Office of the controller. coun-
gel for the Riggs Bank said, is belated
atiemp; to obtain from all banks infor-
nation which the Riggs Bank has
charged has been asked of that bank only
IN the past. TO such an extent as to CON
siitute the harassment and persecution of
which the bank complained in its bill
when it obtained the injunction against
the controller.
IL is understood that the new form Of
statement has been sent or is TO be
sent to all the national banks Of the
country. Washington bank presidents
Who had had an opportunity today 10
examine the new form said that the
additional details which will be re-
quired wnen the call for a statement
comes in future will not give them so
Very much trouble to compile one
bank president expressed the opinion
that II would not make much diff
Terence whether the additional COM
Ihiatlon would cause much more work
or not: If the controller wants the adj
ditional information il will be cheer
fully furnished and that will be all
there will be to II.
Real Estate Income.
In the case of banks not holding other
really than their own banking quar-
tiers the questions regarding income
from bank rents. etc. which must be
!swered Oh the new forms will cause
no extra work. but there are number
o institutions NOTABLY IT,. National
Metropolitan Bank, the Washington
Loan ana Trust Company, the CONNER
cial National Bank the Lincoln Ma
uonal Bank. the Bank of Commerce
anu Savings. the American National
and the Munsey Trust Company which
have large office buildings. and the
compilation of the statistics desired
SWING income from rents. assessed val
nation for taxation and charges made
~ the bank for its own rental will
REQUIRE considerable labor
Most OF the minor details will be
easl'E handled, but items ; and
in the new form of statement re-
nIiring the listing Of bonds and Sc
'arit!es owned. pledged or unpledged.
VIII also cause considera bic work
ne controller has given the matter
o oEerdrafts. il the new form of
st..te:re1it. corsidera BILE study His or
de- asking the directors of ali The
Ia n:s = the federal reserve system to
pass a resolution prohibiting any of,
c-ai Of :. banking institution from paw
ing euy check draft NOT fully pro-
tscted by deposit. which was dated
lsruar, IS, clused considerable agita-
fiou IN huauciai circles But few bank
eI- rad- direct response. The net re-
suit "f th@ request was reduction Of
S>-@'u.n"" - overdrafts in the report
o. ot'titipH Of banks of March I, as
np:'re'i with the previous report
y .heI -. said to believe that the
tor'"ciisr u, seeking to obtain state
insut Of all losses by reason of over
drafts during the past five wears
which = DSe of the requirements in
III" new fore. OF statement. is strength
@ninr his arguments against overdra IT'S
and perhaps for use in future com
parIscns-
New Items in Reports.
serted in the new form.
Bank building when owned and oc-
ct.pied nv this bank
Gross revenue received from bank
building during past calendar year
Set revenue received from bank
Rent which bank charges itself an
nually for quarters il occupies
assessed valuation for taxation on
bank building last calendar year
Cverdrafts, secured and unsecured
standing over six months
Temporary overdrafts. secured and
unsecured
Officers and directors overdra fits Sc
'.!red and unsecured
Total overdrafts
"Overdra fts'-Amount charged of
during past FIVE years 1910, 1917 1913.
1914
Total charged off
Liabilities of officers and directors
etc.
Fees per meeting paid for attendance
AT directors meetings
5saS executive committee meetings.
Discussion Unwarranted."
The discussion Of the case of the
Riggs National Bank against Treasur,
officials. Treasurer Burke said toda v
in the daily newspapers, in which it i.
made to appear that the Treasur,
oficials and the entire admfnistrs tIor
tin and the national banks OF the en-.
tire country on the other. is entirely un
warranted Such discussion reflects
upon the administration, the courts and
fhe banks.
1T seems to proceed upon the theor,
(Continued on Second paeel