Evening star., 1916-01-03
FURTHER Information
ASKED BY CONTROLLER
Bankers Will Give Details of Inter-
est Rates on Loans Made and
Paper Bought.
Indications of an Early Call.
Washington Gas 5s in Good De-
mand at 1o57s-Stocks Slow.
BY I. A. FLEMING.

When bankers respond to the next
call they will find that the controller
of the currency has prepared quite
number of additional questions, which
must be answered under oath. 1t is
probable that the call may come with
In few days, and possibly for reports
at the close of business December 81,
1915.
The controller wants to know more
about usury charges. more information
not only on direct loans. but on paper
purchased. The number of all loans is
desired. the amount and aggregate
amount; he desires information on loans
made. at over 6 per cent and less than
per cent interest; at per cent or
more, but under s per cent; at per
cent, or more. but under 10 per cent. at
10 per cent and more, but under IL per
cent. at IL per cent or more. but under
Is per cent and at Is per cent or more.
but under "a per cent. Moreover. he de-
sires information on all loans made at
"a per cent or over.
The controller wants to know during
what months or portions OF months
during 1915 banks under his super
visions were borrowing money, or bills
payapIe or through rediscounts.
Information is desired as to whether
carry deposits when loans are made to
them. If so, what percentage of their
lines OF discounts or loans do you
usually require borrowers to keep with
you on deposit? When depo1 ,orS fai to
keep on deposit with you the amount
stipulated at the time of granting
loans. is it our custom to charge them
interest upon such deficiency? If SO
what ate of interest do you charge?
The controller also desires lnforma-
tion on amounts of money borrowers
have refused to pay back because of
allesed usury; also. the payments made
by banks as penalties for usury under
the laws of the United States.
Evidently the usury campaign is to be
carried further. and the controller of
the currency, If all bankers guilty of
usury In the federal reserve system
that are reported to have made confess
sion Of usurious acts should make oath
of that fact, as requested, would be in
possession of evidence to make good
as he has been frequently called upon
to do.
First Election Of 1916.
The hrst annual election of the year
was held today, when the shareholders
of the Firemens Insurance Company
met and reelected their full board Of
directors and filled a vacancy
The following were chosen: Allan E.
Walker. S. s. Lutz, Leonard W.
Groomes, George w. Moss. George c.
Gertman. Henry w. Ofutt. John L.
Edwards, Charles H. Kindle, James NJ
Woodward, N. T. Dixon, Albert w.
Howard, p. A. Galleher and John H
Snyder.
Local Securities.
Business on the local exchange was
confined largely to bonds. but few
stocks changing hands.
Washington Gas 5s were in good de-
mand and strong. the price moving up
to 1864. Railway As were wanted at
81 and Potomac Consolidated 5s of the
Potomac Electric Company at s9H.
Odd lots of Railway preferred were
sold at SO. Mergenthaler brought 171k,
and few shares of American Security
and Trust Company were sold at 265.
Bid and asked prices reflected no i'm
portant change in sentiment to
values on utilities or bank shares.