The sun., 1918-08-26
BANKS READY FOR
nth LIBERTY LOAN
National Institutions Hold
Less Than Half Billion of
All Three Former Issues.
HAVE DIFFUsED BONDS
Own Resources Conserved to
Supply Commercial and In
dustrial Needs.
Special DespotcA to Tss sus.


WARRINGTON. Aug. 25.-The national
banks Of the country. which in the last
three Liberty loans handled $4,000. o0o.-
900 In subscriptions out Of total Of
$11.s2s.oo0. 900. are prepared In ex-
cellent shape FOR the forthcoming issue.
according to a statement to-day by
Comptroller Of the Currency Williams.
At the end Of June the national banks
held less than half a billion dollars of
all three issues Of Liberty bonds. Their
holdings were only 2.2s per cent. Of their
total resources. and since that time the
situation has improved still further.
Loans on Liberty bonds are likewise low.
The total June 20 was only 3457,000. 900.
or ass per cent. Of total resources.
The bonds or the three Issues have
been widely and thoroughly scattered
among investors. The effect Of this dis
tribution has been to leave the resources
of the national banks free to supply the
commercial and industrial needs Of the
country. They are in position to absorb
such an issue at any time II Is neces-
sary or desirable.
Have Kept Resources Liquid.
Reviewing the situation to-day. the
Comptroller said:
These figures Indicate clearly that
these banks have pursued conservative
policy in keeping their resources in a
liquid condition. have not overinvested
In Liberty bonds. but have performed an
exceedingly valuable service in effecting
a broad distribution among their Gus
toners and to the public.
The banks OF the country are now in
a position to contribute largely Of their
own resources toward the purchase Of
Liberty bonds II there should ever be &C.
casion: but It Is hoped and believed
cessfully their policy of aiding in the
wide diffusion. Of the Liberty. loans
among the people. rather than Of buy
ing them for their own account.
THE bonds of the three Liberty issues
owned by national banks June 20, 1918.
exclusive OF bonds they had sold or
contracted to sell. included 362.2s0. 900 OF
az per cent. bonds, $272,016.00o Of 4
per cent and $74 $4,000 OF bonds of
the third issue. In addition to these
the national banks also reported hold
short term certificates of Indebtedness.
Country Banks Hold Most.
OF Liberty bonds of the third issue re-
tanned by all national banks in the New
England States is only $4.01S,00o. The
amount retained by all national banks
in the Eastern States. including New
York and Philadelphia, is only 355.445..
600; Southern States $s.1S2.ooo. middle
States S7,254.0o0.
The national banks In the West
ern States have in the aggregate dis
posed of an amount equal to all that
they subscribed for. and the net balance
OF the third loan kept by national banks
in the Pacific States was only s2.32s.000
The net amount Of Liberty bonds Of
all three issues retained by national
banks in the central reserve cities was
reported at $113.0s5. 900. In other reserve
cities $S5.l72.000 and in the country
banks $210,5s2. 900. The country ma
tional banks hold S12.325.0oo more Lib
erty bonds than the combined holdings
Of the national banks In all reserve and
central reserve cities"