The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-11-30
@ of Finance|
ITO SAFEGUARD R.R.
 INVESTMENTS

Baltimore. Nov. 30.-Through the
 appointment of s. Fred Strong. of New Haven, president, Connecticut Sav1ngs Banks Association, a member Of the advisory committee of the Ma ttonal Association of Owners of Rail- Toad Securities, announcement of which has just been made by Presi- dent S. Davies Warfield. Connections investors become prominently identi- fled with a movement of national inn portance recently launched to protect the credit of the American railroads Ny Htabilfzing the securities of these companies.
 The advisory committee is the con- trolling body of the Association and the selection of MT. Strong to head the movement in Connecticut is indicative o4 the prominence of those identified with the organization throughout the country, its officers and supporters including many of the leading finan- ciers and business men of the nation. Thousands of individual members have enrolled in the movement and many others here and abroad, who, while having no investment in trans portation companies favor fair treat ment of the carriers, have also be- come members. The association, or ganixed in Baltimore several months ago through the initiative of MT. War field. who is president of the Contin- enfal Trust Company and one of the leading financiers of the South, fills a long-felt need for an authoritative organization to speak for the owners of the railroads in matters relating to their public affairs.
 This has been undertaken vigorous ly through a campaign to protect the Interests of large and small investors fn railroad stocks and bonds. Its rep resentatives have appeared before the Interstate Commerce Commission and other public gatherings to present the case of those whose savings and other funds have undergone such a tremendous shrink ago aa a result of the recent general decline in security values. The asso- ci2tdon's activities include a compre- hensfve campaign of education to create an interest on the part Of inves- torn in the affairs of their companies and the solution of problems confront ing them- It is also planned to in form the public of the widespread dis trzbutton of railroad securities and their vital relation to the economic life of the people.
 A recent computation by President Whxffe2d shows the direct and indi- rect ownership of the railroads to be .vestsd in fifty million people, nearly -one-han of our population, as follows: Indtviduals outright, 100000, own-t ing SIG, ,00o, ,000, ,000 worth; life insur- anoe policies in force, held by 3s,000,- 900 persons. representing 8 total of SS0,0oo.0 .0o0; savings banks, with '10,0o0.0oo depositora. representing $847, 900, 900; fire and marine, casual ty and other insurance companies, representing a total of $649, ,o00,0 ,00o; benevolent associations, colleges, oharftabls institutions, $s5o, .oeo, and trust companies, state and nation al ban23 $s6S, ,0o0, ,000.
 Durw1n F. Kingsley, president of the New York IAfe Insurance Com peuy and c member of the advisory committse. when appearing before the Interstate Commerce Commission on behalf of the Association, stated that z6 paw cent of the protection afford ed by life insurance policies Ia secur- ed by railroad investments.
 The National Association of Owners
 of Railroad Securities has received the endorsement of the American Bannars Association Following an ad- drSeD by President Warfield before the Trust Company Section of the Banker8 Convention at Atlantic City, a resolution was adopted recommend ing that financial institutions become members for the protection afforded and in order to support the efforts to safeguard investments.
 Another important announcement expected shortly is the appointment of e general committee, also with members in each state- This com mfttse will include largely in its per Bonnel business men and shippers.