New Britain herald., 1924-07-26
THE OBSER VER-
Makes Random Observations On the City and Its People

-a-s--@-s--s--a-s-a-s--s--s 1 had been identified with their eAls- lenee for the past sh years ana whe has watched banking institutions m this city grow. from small beginnings to big financial eenters.
 When alr, Eddy entered inc employ of the New Britain National bank, U was much like other banks of its time in small towns. In those days bank CTS did not believe in advertising, con sidering 1t outside the nale Of ethics, Today, advertising is one of the most powerful factors in the building mp or banking,
 Thirty-fiye years ago a hank was place to which people came. If they did not want to come or If they had no business there. they remained away. Today the bank goes after customers as all live business men do, Through the advertising columns or the press. 1t informs the public of its reasons for existence and explains It's service, inviting the reader to step in for advice on commercial problems and extending to him its facilities for promoting his business
 Thirty.nye years ago the banker was a reserved, sour-faced individual who sat In his private office and dared the world to smile. He was hemmed around with red tape and 1t was not an unusual occurrence for lesser citi- gems to bow to him respectfully and, in some cases. to remove their hats as a tribute to his greatness. Today the banker has his office in the front of the building instead of hiding away in sacred precincts which could not be entered without the password. The majority of bankers have a cheerful greeting for men and women who en- ter for the purpose of depositing money or consulting them about a loan. There is still room for im- provement in this respect but the progress already made Is deserving Of mention.
 When a banker passes along. his intimates greet him with no more re- spect than they accord any other re- spectable business man of their &C., quaintancc. Instead of stopping him with hat in hand to discuss financial subjects, they are more likely to slap him on the shoulder and spool him about the he took on the third hole out at the country club yesterday.
 Mir. Eddy has watched this trans- formation of banking, its cmergence into the bright light of day, it's adop- ton of modern business methods. In his 35 years experience he has been a prominent figure in the local bank irg world. He was always consider ate of those with whom he dealt and he steps out from behind the grill work with the good will of hundreds who have had occasion to meet him in the course of his and their days work.
 Charles and Francis McEnroe, twin sons of Charles E. McEnroe, the West Main street confectioner, are eager readers of the Herald. They are now at the Y. M. c. A. camp, Camp Hazen, Chester, and the Herald is an essen- tial to their happiness as their daily dozen."
 When Charles and Francis recently read that their father was contemplat- ing changing the location of his place of business, they were greatly sur prised. Their proud dad tells them bedtime stories and otherwise enter tains them when they are home, but like most fathers he withholds from his boys the details of his business. Therefore the news that he intended to remove to another location was real news to them. So they sat down im- mediately and after chewing the ends off several pencils collaborated on a communication written on picture post card, expressing their wonder at his decision and inviting him to make a trip to the camp to visit them.
 She was examining the stock at the book counter preparatory to select ing a number of volumes for vacation reading. She put aside several books which were having a wide sale and which were numbered among the most popular works of the year.
 But you charge so much for your books don't think can take many" she complained to the clerk. "'Near- ly every book I want is priced at $2."
 The clerk, an old hand at "the pub lie be pleased" business, agreed that s2 for book did seem rather ex- cessive, especially when one wanted several books. But, he explained, the cost of the publication made it 'neces- sary to charge s2. In proof of his assertion he produced the latest num- Der of Brentanos Book Chat" In which is printed an article by Myra May, who explains the cost of print ing a book and the profit derived by those through whose hands 1t passes The clerk asked the young woman customer to read 1t at her leisure and this was what she read: