New-York tribune., 1921-11-06

49, sNCAitu (CAbQlys
Instead Of wasting the precious OPP
rortunity created by the rubbing of
elbows by the nations principal long
terra money lenders by having commit
tcs chairmen monotonously read end
iessly routine reports on various aca-
delnic aspects of the globes behavior,
the bankers this year threw open their
meetings for free, open and spontane-
GUS discussion and printed reports
were distributed. If no epochal devel-
opments resulted, it can still be argued
that the method was new and that
many who had been repelled by the
dryness of the previous meetings again
meandered to the golf course, oblivious
OF the drastic change in method.
Ihe alteration was re-enforced by
the enthusiasm of Roy Osgood, Chicago
banker, the retiring president. Mr..
osgood Is averse to steam roller
methods and used the force of his
office to WOO an expression of what the
delegates really had on their minds.
IT associations can get their members
TO speak as candidlX on the convention
floor as in lobbies Che dramatic value
OF such congresses will be tremen-
dously heightened, although possibly
at the expense of dignity.
One reason why the clash of opin-
ION at the sessions this week did not
become more intensified is that the
members of the Inve stment Bankers
Association have a consciousness of
KIND, and are more or less in agree
ment regarding the desirability OF
making politics and economies con-
tribute TO the stability of investments.
Where men of the same fundamental
outlook gather, the chances Of differ
ing on subjects relevant to the conven-
tion are minimized.
Suggested to Speakers
If the principle of getting all sides
of question aired is carried to q
logical-or possibly an illogical-con-
clusion, the association would invite
as speakers TO the next convention
sucn men as Eugene Y. Debs, A. c.
Townley, Senator Hiram johnson and
to vary the program George Graham
Rice. These men, each from a diff
cult angle, indulge in PHILOSOPHERS and
methods inconsistent with the scheme
of things which Investment bankers,
the makers and fashioners of securi-
ties, giorify. Speakers of this extreme
stamp, il invited to supplement- the
more customary type, would at least
rouse the bankers to vigorous debate,
and the intellectual exercise might
have fruitful results.
However, it is we'll to chronicle for
purposes of record that Matthew Woll,
vice president of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor, was hissed last year
for expressing unpopular sentiments
before body of business men whom
he was invited to address.
At any rate, by the turnabout in con-
vention technique, the investment
bankers have just held their most in
teresting sessions, as we'll as the most
largely attended. Eight hundred dele
gates and alternates were in attend
ance.
Honored by being the first Southern
city chosen as a meeting lace, New Or
leans, as corporate entity and as a
body of individuals, gave new meaning
and vitality to the much heralded 4
Southern hospitality. AS the country
Journalists say, every whim of the del
egates was cared for. The badge of the
banker was q signal for honor and re-
spect. The newspaper correspondents
who wore it had guilty feeling as
naive natives looked upon them with
adoration as men who caused the
building of railroads, the tunneling of
mountains and the construction of
great cities where before had been will
fio