The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1922-06-02
PRAISE FROM A
VISITING BANKER
X. Lewis Rutter Predicts y bright Fu.
ture for the Valley OF the
OkanOgaN.

Among the large QelegatlOn or Dank
ers who attended the session of Group
l, of the Washington State Bankers
association, held in Oroville recently,
was II. Lewis Rutter, Of the Spo-
kane and Eastern Trust company, one
Of the most prominent financiers
of Spokane and the state at large
Mr. Rutter has been connected
with the Spokane and Eastern Trust
company for years, and it has beel
largely through his efficient and con-
servative management that that organ
izatiOn has become one of the leading,
and most successful financial institu-
tions of eastern Washington. Combi i
ed with his uncanny knowledge of cent
per cent, and the complicated myster.
les of banking SO necessary to win
success in that field OF endeavor, is Il
most pleasing personality, which in it.
self is an important asset to ,ne en-
gagged in handling the money of tn,
public in such manner that the Gus
tOdian loses nothing in the handling
thereof, at the same time protecting
the interests of those who trust their
cash to his keeping. While in Oroville
Mr.. Rutter paid the Gazette visit, and
! it was pleasant to hear that gentleman
express himself as agreeably surprised
at the marked improvements that have
taken place in the valley. the result
of irrigation, since his last visit to this
part of Okanogan county some years
ago, changes that are more conspi,-
uous to the occasional visitor than u
those living Immediately in the terri
tory that is undergoing the transfo'-
nation, as to them, the change comes
about SO gradual as to make no strort,
impression. In speaking Of Okanog n
county, Mr. Rutter said:
Few people outside Of the county
really realize the possibilities of the
Okanogan valley or the excelltncy nf
its products. Okanogan county beef
commands a premium in the market.
The alfalfa Is of cleaner and better
quality than similar hay grown in any
part OF the state. The apples are Of d
richer color, larger in size and of bet
ter flovar than any similar fruit grown
in the west. The soil Is exceptionally
fertile, water inexhaustible, frosts are
innocuous and the yield prodigious. 7
learn that many land owners are look :
ing upon alfalfa growing with disfavcc
but in my experience handling loans |
have always felt that alfalfa lands
such as those of this valley were
among the safest securities that have
to handle. am especially impressed
with the evidence of activity apparent
| under the local irrigation system, in
| dicating that the valley is rapidly SET
tling up with farmers who are apply
ing intensive cultivation to small
tracts. l am Of the opinion that much
could be accomplished for the more
rapid development Of the county il tha
bankers of Okanogan county would
form an organization Of their own. as
almost half Of the numerical strength
Of Group No. l of the Washington
State Bankers association is repre-.
sented by the Okanogan county banks,
and through that organization give
greater publicity to the country and -
possibilities outside Of the confines If
the county, and formulate ways and
means of encouraging settlement and
fostering enterprises that would build
up the several communities. For what
l have seen on this visit feel conf
dent that Okan0gan county has an ex.
| ceptionally bright future before it."