New-York tribune., 1922-10-05
Harding Urges
Rankel.s to Aid
Liberal Forces


flnetruCtIUfies AO ooyS
,...,a.nt Harding, In telegram to
ssass-sntion OF the American Bank
sss S..ncistion at the Hotel Commo-
r. ssliea on the bankers of the
aoss. yesterday 10 aid in the solu-
sas, athose social, moral, ethical
soa .,s,,s which are crying for under
0Oas sIas attention" He warns against
sssun..,rv ssssa., .he spirit of progress and
aosa s. sar leadership in the liberal move
, ~snts for human betternent. his teie-
sr.,s ram was read before the convention
4. Thornss B. McAdams, president of
2 .sa association. 1t follows:
,iThs White House, washington; ,aoo D: G.
s-s.nss a. McAdsms. President Ameri-
ssr Bankers Association, Hotel
cnrnmodors, New York.
sMy Dear Mr.. McAdams: Public
ant,ss and personal cares seem to have
sar,t ssarabsnsd to render impossible, once
mare. nv acceptance OF the invitation
.s,s - .bs annual gathering of the Ameri-
ssn panksrs' association. My regrets
? s1s srs ths most poignant. because hoped
- hs sbls To- say some few things to
your members on this occasion.
;, President Issues Appeal
II hays so many times expressed my
admiration and appreciation of the
part which the banking interests played
curing and following the war, that
do net need to remind you of my senti-
ments In that regard. Rather, wish
to appeal to your great organization in
tshalf of my conviction that another,
more inclusive, and perhaps more
difficult opportunity Of service is to-
day presented to you.
aTo the patriotism, steadfastness and
right thinking of it's financial leaders
the country has owed very much in
connection with financing the war, and
later IN restoring stability, confidence
and security throughout our economic
structure. The banking community has
always co-operated splendidly in deal
Ing with these problems. But to-day
our country, the world, all human kind,
are demanding that this cooperation
be extended to wider realms: to those
social, moral, ethical problems which
sac crying for understanding attention.
They cannot be denied; they grow in
creasingiy insistent. They call for an
application of the same spirit Of wise
and willing cooperation, which Is the
very basis Of the bank.
i have often thought Of the bank
IS first among modern institutions of
social unifcation. On the basis of
complete confidence in its integrity
and aims it aggregates together in
sast, available masses. the scattered
BITS Of credit and resources which
Otherwise would be unavailable for
great undertakings, and makes possi-
De the huge producing organizations
saleh characterize the modern indus
tlal community. We have come to
tnes which require like aggregation
q the social sense, the ethical ideals.
Aernoral inspirations and the best in
elEgence, in order to promote the true
Welfare of men individually and in
cennunities. This I have come to re-
gsnss the most pressing requirement
aeg day; and to It's accomplishment
ihnte the assistance Of you men who
ss been foremost among social CO.
ORATORS. The world is not given to
HFardlng those who serve it with op-
petsunities for ease and pleasure. IN
aeao, on those who have been tested
ana found useful. it is wont to place
s,es greater burdens. To full share in
Mese obligations am now urgently
inviting you. By experience, knowledge
ana AIMS you bankers are peculiarly
EQUIPPED to render largest service in
1als Wider sphere. 1t has long been
nay observation that the leadership of
sae Banking forces in the local COM
'huhlty IS ever effective and devoted to
community welfare. and the same help
.t .al relationship must be maintained
...aioughout the nation and in the ma
aohs outside relations. Therefore in
.eeolmimltting our people to sane ex-
!ptenu,itufes, to ways of economy and
sniine, 70 the consideration of munici-
Pal ana national problems in that con-
seIense which builds the temples Of
iSonanoence' the banking forces must
.sau, ana we must have the widest
svm.Aiaaehs sra.a to the prudence, the delib-
go uhoerstanding and the prefer
tbe .a aor usetol service which make for
ai's 9I our people as q whole.
o MORAL Qualities Stressed
,oota lhe eo1 banker IN extending credits
LOOKS not alone to the schedule Of his
elssIomers slrs tangible assets. Hs o,ves
thought also to moral cons;aaratiors
70 those elements of chsracter ,s wbich
'sonstiIote the most commardine ~ eli
5eraids 5aIasles. 40 he is concerned to helm
oevelop these qualities thron.hou+ W. Ahp b;p |
constituency. strn Every good cif;zan as as
fiies 70 the same end, and tbsrafnra T.
cst;ea os p;elnilsSlole to impose a special ob,i-
sro; -.aon On the bankers, oreanized and
tasa .aa.Hea as they are in such affairs to
T aTS very special part in this work.
.neIe is everywhere a disposition TO
nn+ain i,nl1s, 20 question, to examine mi
.r.;sy INTO social and economic insti.
~ '9s, 20 lnterrogate methods of hu-
al 80. ,A'egration and procedure which
..a se oeea so long accepted as to have
sseheo axlomatic. We shall gain moth
ag BY charging that this spirit pro-
sseds from malevolence and testifes q
ssordered state of mind. We ought IN
..sseognize that it largely represents
fi,,ncere en-, wish to improve conditions
history teaches that blind effort to OBJ
,sroet such movements has often pro-
.seeo momentary disaster, but never
E!syented ultimate advance. The world
: zoo old, and ought to be too wise, to
ssssoft to such tactics now. Rather its
.sst intelligence should be given to
..pen-miuded cooperation in every
sasfhest ,ss project of inquiry and analysis
TTaleh looks to the general betterment.
saas sa:g Will its most capable leaders help
Saae Ss society away from pitfalls and
tss while keeping it moving on
- ss upward path. count the men of
~ .vsf profession as among such leaders,
i .'a =. ! know that whoever can effective
impress !; you with the full Importance
ss,;ls aae duty | am suggesting will find |
,ssalon ,ssSslactlon in the prompt and eager |
Il which will come to him. Most !
sacerely yours,
WARREN C. HARDING"