Evening star., 1924-05-04
Local Business Conditions
Found Fairly Encouraging g
Special Committees of ID. C.. Bankers
association Report Improvements,
Largely Based en Volume of Trade.

officials and are politely requested to
move.
Important ParIey Scheduled.
Benefits which officers and direc-
tors of Washington banks viii de-
rive from attending the forthcoming
annual convention Of the District OF
Columbia Bankera Association at
White Sulphur Springs, w. Va. were
outlined in an interview given last
night by Charles j. Bell, president
of the American Security and Trust
Company, who declares that every
francial institution in Washington
should be represented by as many OF
it's officers and directors as can be
spared.
MANY people seem to be under the
impression that the annual conven-
ton is simply an outing to provide
recreation and entertainment for
those who attend" Mr.. Bell declared
This idea is erroneous. While 1t is
true that these conventions have very
attractive recreation and entertain
ment features. the primary object is
business The subjects discussed at
the sessions are all of vital interest
to the local banking fraternity and
the reports and papers presented are
the result OF exhaustive study and
careful research by those having this
work in char rye.
Modern banking is alI-embracfng
in its scope. In fact. there is no sin
gle development affecting business or
social conditions III Washiayion
which does not affect the banks of
Washington directly or Indirectly
Problems arise almost daily. which
the bank officers and directors are
called upon TO meet. While many of
these can be most effectively solved
by the institutions acting separately,
there are others, which are more far
reaching in their effect and apply
equally to all the banks. Such prob
lens can be effectively met only by
united action on the part OF the
banks.
OF course, il was recognition of
this fact which led. years ago. to the
formation OF the District of Column
bla Bankers Association. At the
regular meetings which are held dur
ing the year, various phases of bank
ing and local business generally are
discussed and special committees are
assigned to the task of gathering
Speclnc Information concerning them
experience has proven. however. that
the fullest cooperation and maximum
results could not be accomplished
through the regular local meetings
This was due largely TO the fact that
such meetings had to be held during
the evening or late afternoon when
tile dlttndance was necessarily small
and the time available for construc-
tive work limited.
Origin of Convention Idea.
This led to the decision reached
some SIX years ago. that the Wash
lagton bankers hold an annual con-
Nentlon at some point outside of the
district Of Columbia. where business
sessions could be held consecutive
ly for several days. and all the ac-
cumulation of problems arising dur
ing the preceding year be discussed
at length and properly disposed OF.
me results already achieved and the
large attendance at the conventions
ALREADY nave demonstrated fully the
wisdom o. this decision
Many bank offffficers and directors
who rarely attended the local meet
lngs. have gone to the annual conven-
tions, have participated in the dis
cuSslonS and thus lent the weight of
their experience and judgment TO
the proceedings. Another very i'm
portant benefit derived from the an
sual conventions is the fact that off,
GERS and directors from the various
panklng institutions are thus brought
together under one roof for a period
OF several days and come to know
each other socially as well as in q
purely business way. This paves the
way for more harmonious business
relations
Chairmen OF the various suboom-
mittees with vice chairmen, will meet
with Robert Y. Fleming general
chairman, in the board room of Riggs
Bank next Wednesday afternoon at
CLOCK. TO complete details perti-
nent TO the convention.