South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-06-02

]. E. Neff of South Bend,
Elected One of Executive
Committee-PaperS Read.
iaI Service:

News Times Special Service;
ELKHART. June 2.-The Indiana
Bankers association, group two. as
sembled at the Country club and in
closing their seventh annual conven-
ton here Thursday night. elected Of
fcers TO serve during the coming
year. Arrangements for the 1917
convention will not be announced
until some time after Jan. 1. 1917.
j. &. Allen of Indiana Harbor, was
chosen president; L. NJ. Simpson NJ
Elkhsrt. secretary. and the following
men were chosen 10 the executive
committee: J. +. Neff of South Bend;
c. r. Kuss Of Gary; Justin J. Hunt
of Rensselaer,: n. H. Keller of La
porte; +. Y. Morgan of Chesterton.
over $50 Attend.
The convention was attended by
over $50 bankers.
Two interesting addresses were
given, one by Fred a. Sims. former
secretary Of state and member of
the state tax board; also president
Of the Bankers Investment Co. of
Indianapolis, on Taxation" and the
other by F. f. Davis. president of
the Citizens National bank at Tip
ton, who talked on Bank Advertis-
ing"
Interesting statistics on increased
taxation were given by Mr.. Sims in
his talk Based on the 500 valu-
alton the average tax in 81 Indiana
cities in 1914 amounted to s3.5S5;
in 1915 il was 1926. In the city
of Hammond the tax rate was 1924.
The speaker discussed at length the
increase in property values and in
public expenditure and also the
problem of exemption. Mr.. Sims
did not offer a solution to the tax
alton problem, but referred TO the
Ohio tax law, which imposes a uni
versal tax of l per cent and a spe-
cifc tax on certain property. He
predicted a state income tax. in ad-
ditiOn to the federal income tax
In showing the value of the uni
verSal tax idea. Mr.. Sims quoted a
prominent local citizen. who said
that approximately 1000 voters of
Concord township paid no taxes
Advice to Small Town Men.
Mr.. Davis explained that his talk
would interest the small town bank
ers, more especially as it was a tale
Of his own experiences in a small
farming community. Mr.. Davis said
that he would unhesitatingiy answer
the question: Does advertising
pay?" in the affirmative. He said
that his bank had made a prac-
tice of selling stock and market
reports to every farmer in the
community. enclosing in envelopes
announcements of farmers meet
ings, stock sales and anything of in
terest to the farmer
Mr.. Davis declared that the sue
cessful small town banker must be
a part of the community He must
make their griefs and sorrows his
very own and share in their joys
The Upton banker said he made il
a point TO go 10 every big sale. and
boosted il. If the seller was "A re-
liable man the banker would deliver
a short talk in which he would guar
antee everything sold. Mr.. Davis
said that many bankers made the
mistake of quitting or letting up in
their advertising during panicky
times. He said that during 1907 his
bank did twice the advertising of
normal times and that the result
was most gratifying. Il make the
bank patron the silent partner,
don't talk about my competitor. and
l keep everlastingly at it--that's the
secret of the small town bankers
ennnnec - sid M nc