Evening star., 1921-12-11

to econoRilze cost and stimulate pro-
ductep. end all at the same time.
1t~goes almost without saying that
they will meet with measure OF
success, and to that extent there will
be business improvement.
Other Readjustnents.
Readjastment of wages is on the
are being fought and fought hard. as
witness the wild disturbance in the
stronghold Of union labor. the Union
stockyards.
The railroads are cutting freight
and wages and this will ultimately
road companies have for years. four
at least, neglected their roadways and
equipment and must buy and buy
largely to rehabilitate.
Building operations are going on
on large scale and the crush OF un-
employment Is being gradually lifted
through employment
Also some strenuous work is being
done by the bankers, by merchants
and others in aiding the export trade,
and the rehabilitation in part of the
pound will be a factor of aid.
All IN all. there is much to encourage.
For Perpetual Charter.
A bill is now before Congress pro-
viding for the amending Of the M
tlOnal DdHk ACT 50 eHdt Hdliohal
banks incorporated under this char
ter should be given perpetual char
ters, instead of the present twenty
year charters, which must be re-
newed. at the end Of each term OF
years.
1t is pointed out that this twenty
year provision raises doubt as to
whether a national bank receiving
the right from the Federal Reserve
Board to engage in duties usually ac-
credited to trust company nigh:
legally execute longtime trust
agreement
The other cogent argument is that
IT would prevent the recurring neces-
sity for application for new charters
the extra meetings of shareholders
for the two thirds vote. etc.
There might be other reasons.
Judge Paxton, counsel for the
American Bankers Association. ia
Vors the amendment and gives it as
his view that the majority of nation
al bankers also approve of the pro-
posed change.
The present week will mark the
rapprochement between the federal gov
ernment, in its important branches, and
the American Bankers Association
Under the Wilson regime the gov
ernmenr and the great organization
were nor en- rapport. In the next three
days calls by the administrative COM
mittee and executive officers of the
A. b A. will be made on President
Harding and his cabinet officials and
thereafter the opinion of the A. B. A.
In things financial will, in all proba-
bfHty, be accorded the consideration
the importance of the great organi-
zation deserves, at least a fair con-
sideration of its resolutions and
recommendations.
An Interesting Pamphlet.
The Lincoln National Bank recently
Issued an excellent pamphlet bearing
the title, "A Message to Our En-
ployes." It might be included in the
curriculum of the Washington Chap
ters elementary class, and contains
some Information that customers
might read to advantage.
In 1t the work of bank is divided
into three classeS-executive. advisory
and clerical. The eighteen business
men who form the board Of the Lin
coin, successful in their various lines.
are referred to as IAN advisory coun-
ell, the governor or balance wheel in
conducting the business of the bank
or its customers"
Always directors should direct. Too
large a proportion of the troubles OF
institutions come from complaisant
acquiescence with the proposals of Off
cials by bank directors. Have a mind
and use 1t. The majority of people
think Of a bank as a d-blooded in
stitution and the bank clerks as mere
autcmatons. Yet, you, the clerks who
come In contact with the customers
must make 1t your business to do