The Alaska daily empire., 1918-02-08

The annual report of the Comptroller of Curren- National banks
 The National Banks of the United States says the Comptroller stronger safer and closely observant of the laws and efficiently managed than before This encouraging fact, he declares, is especially impressive and important while tho life of the Nation and the great alliance of which are part depend largely upon ability to fur nish the enormous financial indispensable for victory
 Their -$1S,553 1s7 00O-exceeded by s2- the greatest before reported and $2,527,s7S,oOo greater than the combined sources of all the State banks (dong commercial business) and of all reporting private banks and companies of June 30, 1917, the latest date which State bank returns have been compiled.
 The banking power of the United States, repre-. sented by capital, surplus, profits, circulation and de posits of National Banks and other reporting bank and trust companies, including also the padin cap tai and deposits of the twelve Federal Reserve Banks is estimated at 37529 million dollars. having in creased by 1434S million dollars since the commence ment of the present Administration.
 The banking power of the world in 1890 was esti- mated by Muhal at 15558 million dollars. The bank ing power of this country is two and half (2hj times great the banking power of the whole world. according Mulhall, 1890 The bank ing power of the United States is than times great in 1890.
 The Comptroller gives warning that, with the i'm. development of financial resources. du- ties and responsibilities have grown proportonatey Upon devolves the task of supplying not only vital needs, but of keeping ourselves strong and ready to meet the demands which being and will continue to be made upon by Allies in the world struggle. It is, he points out, of supreme i'm portance that alurements of profit from industry in this country in neutral countries. for purposes not essential to in the war, should not induce to divert dissipate the capi- tai or financial resources of people.
 This country has become the great financial eryoir and banking headquarters of the world and in large measure the dependaece of those great finan- cial nations whose enterprise in the past had provd ed largely the capital for the and indus tries of two hemispheres and who look to us to supply to so great extent the sinews of war, as we'll the needs of industry and world commerce.
 The comptroller, reviewing briefly the financial and business conditions during the the imitation in commodity prices, and the depression in securities, declares that the enactment of emergency laws, trusting the resident with unexampled in this country fix prices for food. fuel etc., has avered calamities which financial system, however strong or powerful could have prevented overcome. He predicts that. with the return of peace, look forward to of great activity and development in the work of rebuilding and equippng with the implements and equipments of peace and industry, the countries engaged in unprecedented destruc- tion.
 Attention is called to the decline of earning pacity of public utility corporations and the quent shrinkage in the value of their securities. The danger, the Comptroller insists, is real which should stimulate the efforts of Congress and of patriotic citizen. Upon the efficiency and strength of these corporations. he says, largely dependent for speed and in preparing for and prosecut ing the With increase in the cost of labor and of all materials necessary for operation and up keep increasing demands being made upon them for quicker service greater facilities The first and direct relief to the public utilities corpora tions be given, he thinks by the State public