Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-10-19
AID FOR FARMERS
AND LOWER TAXES
URGED0N BANKERS
President HaWes and Secre-
tary of Agriculture Open
Big Convention.
R. N. HARPER WELCOMES
DELEGATES TO DISTRICT
Redrafted Constitution and By
Laws Are Quickly
Adopted.


Meredith of the Department of Agri-
culture President Richard S, Hawes
Of the association and other leading
bankers of the country. the American
Bankers Association, in B. F. Keith's
Theater. today began what promises
to be one of the most important and
momentous conventions in its his
tory.
Particular stress was laid upon the
reduction of federal taxes and the
cooperation of the bankers of the
ma ton in solving the problems or
the railroads by President Hawes
in his report to the convention. which
is the forty-sixth held by the Ameri-
can Bankers Association.
Refer. to Mr.. Williams.
Mr.. Hawes at the opening of his
address referred to the recent charges
of John Skelton Williams, controller
Of the currency. relating to high in
terest rates on money in New YORK.
this attack upon the integrity OF the
bankers of the United States" Mr.
Hawes indicated that the con-
vention would take cognizance OF the
matter. The resolutions committee is
meeting this afternoon, and it Is con-
draft a resolution regarding the
charges of Mr.. Williams. Mr.. Hawes
remarks were greeted with loud
applause.
Urges Bankers to Aid Farmers.
Secretary Meredith called upon the
bankers 10 cooperate with the farm
ers of the nation. He said that the
shrinkage in the value Of farm
products so far this season will re-
suit in American farmers receiving
$500, 100000 less than they would
have obtained on the price basis OF
1919. The resulting situation Mr..
Meredith classed as one which de-
pathetic consideration of the bankers
of America and. in fact, of all the
people of the country.
In this connection it became known
today that general conference Will
be called for Thursday by Robert
dent Of the A. B. A.. to discuss what
steps may be taken in aid of the cot
ton farmers. who are facing a tremen-
dous logs due to the falling price Of
cotton.
Changed C0nstitution Adopted.
The convention adopted its re-
drafted eonstitution and bylaws as
of the First Trust and Savings Bank
Of Chicago. chairman of the constitu-
tional committee. There was no de-
bate, The objections to some of the
changes in the constitution raised by
the trust company section had been
ironed out successfully. The purpose
Of redrafting the constitution of the
association was declared to be to put
the bankers organization in better
trim to take its part in national af-
fairs.
striking feature Of the opening of
the great convention was the pres
entation Of the colors, which were
carried down the center isle of the
theater by Fred Owen. The Marine
Band played "The Star Spangled Ban
ner'' and the delegates sang the ma
tional anthem.
Robert N. Harper. president Of the
District of Columbia Bankers Asso-
citation. delivered the address of well
come to the delegates. following an
invocation by Rt. Rev. Thomas j.
Shahan. rector Of the Catholic Uni
versity of America. Mr.. Harper is
chairman of the local executive COM
mittee which has had entire charge Of
the arrangements for the convention.
Harper Welcomes Delegates.
'.As president of the District of CO.
lumbiA Bankers Association wish to
express to you briefly my great ap-
probation for the. opportunity of
telling you that the bankers of this
city, and its citizens in general, felt
hcnored when you and your associates
selected the nations capital for your
forty-sixth annual convention" said
Mr.. Harper.
In selecting this city you must not,
however, lose sight of the fact that
YOU are meeting in your own capital
city-the capital city of the worlds
greatest republic.
Though we are small in area. when
hV rpilac in lot
exceed that of eight of the states
whose representatives are with us to-
day, and in wealth of resources
amounting to more than 5000, ZOO. 900.
We should not be timid if compari-
sons from that standpoint should be
made.
When we recall your many sub
stantial achievements of the past and
realize the benefits which we enjoy
from them today. we can safely await
inEs resulting from wise counseline
and superior intellect which will be
displayed upon important questions
during this convention
Meeting an Aid to Nation.
II recognize, and with full appre-
citation. that you are here strictly for
Observation-Disclosures which is not al
suits of which will rebound to your
credit and the credit of the American
Bankers Association. and with bene-
FITS to the entire country; therefore
extended remarks from me would br
unnecessary, IL not out of place
with a consciousness that the I'm.
ture accomplishments Of your oreanj.
za.ion will be reflection of your
past good work, we wish you God
speed with your work. and the bank.
ers and citizens of the National Cap.
,tal are proud 10 welcome you with
outstretched arms and hearts over.
fowing with genuine hospitality
This is your capital city-accep,
i, as such; and that this convention
may forever be looked upon as th&
crowning event of your long ans
honorable career is the wish of thu
bankers and citizens of the nation.
capital
Responding to this welcome, Thom
as B. McAdamS, second vice president
Of the association, thanked the bank
ere and the people of the District fol
their cordial welcome. He said tha
the bankers of the country assembled
here recognized that a great response
bility rested upon them today to ait
, IN the upbuilding Of the nation ant
( the protection-of IT'S ideals. From al
quarters congratulations were show
Z cred upon Mr.. Harper and the loca
committee for the excellent arrange
i nents made for the convention, th'
= largest ever held by the association
In hts report TO the convention