The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-06-08
johnston WAS.
BANK HEAD
BEFORE 40
President of Chemical National
Had His Career Mapped
Out at Start.
BY PERCY HI. JOHNSON,
Office Boy, Bank Clerk, National Bank
Examiner, President Chemical Ma
tional Bank Of New York

OrTlco bOyp BANK CIerkS NaNVHSA nS.'~-
Examiner. President Chemical Ma
tional Bank Of New York
(Old BulIion).
! copyrighted. 1923. by Cosmopolitan
News Service.)
NEW YORK, June 8.-As far
back as / have any recollection 1t
was my ambition and determination
to become the president of a big
| New York banking institution ana,
without any particular spectacular
| performances on my part, achieved
that ambition before. reaching my
fortieth birthday.
The turning point in my life came
at the age of sixteen years when,
; after / had completed good record
| formed by my guardian that job,
and not the privilege Of going to
Icollege, would now engage my atten'
ton. While realizing the necessity
! for such decision, 1t came as
, great blow to me and ! was never
nearer to being crushed in my life
than on that day. !.
/ resolved, however, that I would
not permit the handicap of working
all day to prevent my securing a well
rounded education; and, with my
mother directing my studies I was
able to keep fairly abreast Of my
classmates in college. 1t was no
primrose path that lay before me
but resolved to stick to the job and
never let loose.
Inspired by Hamilton.
At the age Of twelve I read. a
book containing biographical
sketch Of the life Of Alexander
Hamilton. This narrative recited in
great detail the tremendous handi-
cap under which Hamilton was oblig-
ed to work, as well as the glorious
achievements of that wonderful life.
Reading through this narrative ]
came to the conclusion that II Ham
ilton. with all his handicaps and
shortcomings. could achieve such
wonderful results there would be
similar opportunities for me il /
would only grasp them.
When sixteen years of age. i
entered the services of a small cotin-
/ try bank where devoted by best
efforts not only To doing the work
particularly assigned to me, but to
preparing myself for the position
which lay Immediately ahead.
have performed all the duties of q
banking institution from runner to
president, and in my Judgment the
best way to prepare for the office of
q bank president is to do the work OF
q runner faithfully and zealously.
Went to Kentucky.
A little later received an appoint.
inent as national bank examiner for
the State of Kentucky; later was
appointed one OF the four examiners
lat large" in which post received
some very valuable experience.
Coming to the Citizens National
Bank of Louisville, KY, AZ cashier,
was later appointed first vice
president, an office which would
have led me to the presidency. In
stead, however, came to New York
in 1917 as vice president Of the
Chemical National Bank and was
elected president of that institution
on January /, 1920, at the age Of
thirty-nine years.
The business world today offers
glowing opportunities for the young
men who will fit themselves for the
rigid services demanded OF them. A
good many men succeed because Of
their ability to stick through"
where others give up the struggle.
Most of life's battles are won by
whose who never know what 1t is
to be licked" who are always on
the job and never let loose.