New Britain herald., 1922-10-04
BANKERS MUST LEAD,
 HARD|NG'S MESSAGE
Says They Must Direct People to
 Sane Expenditures

New York, Oct. 4.-In a message to the convention of the American Bankers association President liar ding today said that its members must lead In recommiting our people to sane expenditures, to ways of econ omy and thrift to the consideration of municipal and national problems in that conscience which builds the temple of confidence"
 The message addressed to Thomas R. McAdams, president of the asso- citation follows in part:
 Public duties and personal cares seem to have combined to render impossible once more. my achieve ment of the invitation to the annual gathering of the American bankers association. My regrets are the more poignant because I hoped to be able to say some few things to your mem- bers on this occasion.
 Praises Bankers.
 "l have so many times expressed my admiration and appreciation of the part which the banking inter- ests played during and following the war that I do not need to remind you of my sentiments in that regard Rather, wish to appeal to your great organization in behalf of my convic- tion that another a more inclusive and perhaps a more difficult oppor- tunity of service is today presented to you.
 'As to the patriotism, steadfastness and right thinking of it's financial leaders the country had owed very much in connection with financing the war and restoring stability, confidence and security throughout our economlc structure. The banking community has always co-operated splendldly Tn dealing with these problems
 Cooperation Needed
 But today our country the world, all human kind, are demanding that this cooperation be extended 10 wider realms; to those social, moral ethical problems which are crying TOT understanding attention. They cannot be denied; they grow increasingly ln- sistent. 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 as first among modern institutions of social unification. On the basis Of complete confidence in its integrity and aims it aggregates together 1.l vast available masses the scatter'd bits of credit and resources which otherwise would be unavailable Tor great undertakings.
 We have come to times which re- ouire a like aggreSat ton of the social sense the ethical ideal, the moral ln- spirations and the best intelligence in order to promote the true welfare of men individually and in communities This I have come to regard as the most pressing requirement of our day: and to its accomplishment l invite the assistance of you men who have been foremost among social CO., operators.
 The world is not given to reward ng those who serve it with opportuni- ies for ease and pleasure Instead, ,f those who have been tested and ound useful it is wont to place yet ,reater burdens. To full share in these I am now urgently invlt- ng you.
 Tn recommitting our people to sane expenditures the ways of econ | omy and thrift to the consideration of municipal and national problems n that conscience which builds the ,e emple of confidence the banking forces must lead, and we must have he widest commitment to the pru- fence, the deliberate understanding md the preference for useful service which make for the security of our people as a whole.
 "The banker in extending credit ooks not alonege the schedule of lis customers tangible assets He gives thought also to moral considerations o those elements of character which constitute also the most command ng of all securities.
 There is everywhere a disposition o scrutiniZe, to question, to examine into social and economic in titutions; to interrogate methods of human integration and procedure which have been so long accepted as o have seemed automatic. We shall jain nothing by charging that this pirit proceeds from malevolence and estifies a disordered state of mind.
 We ought to recognize that it argely represents a sincere wish to improve conditions
 Thus will its most capable lead ITS help guide society away from pit alls and dangers, while keeping 1t rI rof