Evening star., 1924-05-18
BY I. A. FLEMING.


are engaged in the same line OF
business and the weekly meetings
are made the vehicle for the ex-
change of information on topics and
events of direct and special interest,
have come to be a factor of con-
siderable Importance in modern busi-
ness activities.
These gatherings are also, in
measure, very helpful to the organ1-
cations in the interest of the busi-
ness or profession of which the at
tendants are usually members
A little over a year ago a few OF
the leading spirits of the DISTRICT
Bankers Association decided to meet
break bread together and talk over
trade matters of direct and positive
interest to each attendant at mid
week luncheon.
Gatherings Occur Weekly.
These gatherings have been con.
tinued weekly, on Wednesdays, at
the City Club. with exactly one hour
given to eating and discussions.
The attendance has largely in
creased from the original gathering
Indeed, there is no such thing as
membership, no bylaws, constitu-
tion, dues or other red tape in con-
a charge for the luncheon itself.
The one and only requisite for ad-
mittance is that the guest shall be
banker Occasional exceptions
have been made.
Practically all the executive officers
OF the District Bankers Association
are regular attendants, and one pre-
sides at the weekly meetings-Harry
Haynes, president, If he Is present.;
if not, then one of the vice presl-
dents. Occasionally Secretary How
ard Moran does the honors.
For the Good of Order.
Immediately after luncheon has
been served the presiding official
starts at one end of the semi-circu-
lar table and makes the complete cir
cult, calling on each guest TO reply
to the query. Have you anything of
Importance to discuss today"
At every meeting some banking prob
lem develops of mutual interest. 1t may
he an exchange of information regard
ing one of the numerous attempts that
are made almost daily to get something
for nothing that has been discovered,
End thus cut it off in it's incipiency. so
that in the spreading of the story other
banks will be prepared to put crimp
in efforts to tap their tills.
Time was when the relationship be-
tween local bankers was not SO cordial
when information of this character was
not passed around and the fraud en-
1arged his operations with Indifferent
success until brought up with one too
many attempts.
Ever since Esau traded his birthrate
for "a mess of pottage." there have
been attempts without number to get
the better of the other man. with par
ticular attention directed toward the
banks dealing directly in cash, the one
commodity most desired by the mem
bers of the 'get-it no. matter how" So
ciety.
At times several cases of this charac-
ter have been reported at the mldweek
luncheon of the bankers, the signatures
used and the particular method employ
ed being made public and at once en-
tered on the memoranda OF the guests
Tempting Oher of Record.
The president of national bank,
having the privilege given by the Fed
eral Reserve Board, of performing the
functions of a trust company, was ap-
proached one afternoon just before the
close of business by three gentlemen,
apparently, one of whom requested an
audience.
When the three were seated in the
rrivate office the spokesman expressed
n desire to transfer trust, assets, etc.
from a large western city to Washing
ton.
Asked as to the nature of the trust
and its provisions, he informed the 10
cal banker that it was a long term
trust running into very large money
and that the assets included cash. real
estate, business properties nao Naiua-
BILE securities"
He Furthermore gave a plausible rea-
son for moving the trust to Washing
ton and expressed the belief that the
entire matter could be consuinihaleo
the following week
It really looked good to the banker
that is, good enough to go further
with it. An engagement was made LOT
the next week, and the conference clos
ed aImost-but not quite:
One of the trio looked at his watch
Ind was surprised to discover that it
was after banking hours, then turn,
ing to the bank president he remarked
casually, "Oh Mr.. ----- l see tnat
il is after banking hours, will you KIND.
lv cash a draft for S100 for me, please!'
..Sorry, but the rules of this estaD-
1ishment are to accept checks and
drafts from strangers only LOT COL
lection"
And the proposed transfer of trust
was never accomplish hed-nor would
it have been had the $1OO been forth
coming on request.
4Il the bank would have had for
its pains and it's hundred" would
have been a dishonored draft Inere
are thousands of them turned loose
in this city annually.
Tells Tale That "Sounds Good"
With intent to swindle, seeking
fair-sized game, a suave person en-
tered one Of the active savings in
stitutions of the city and asked Tor
the cashier.
Il wish to open a checking ac-
count" he said to that official, add
ing: IT have here checks aggregat-
ing about $4,000"
"Glad to do business with you
hut q
take these checks for collection, and
we would prefer that you were in
troduced by some of our customers
or friends"
entry Of the $4,000 checks when you
take them for collection"
no. sir"
well. I can open a savings &C.
count with a dollar cash@'
Certainly"
for 81 cash and the man received his
bank book with this credit.
A little later, after banking hours
the dollar depositor was attracted by
watch in a jewelers. window and
entered for closer inspection of the
timepiece.
The watch was purchased, but i'm.
mediate payment was impossible "a:
I deposited all the money 1 had with
me today in the - bank, 800, anG
YOU could not get the cash on
check without having the book also
After a moments thought he added
hut l can make a check for the
watch, $40, and leave the book with
YOU so that you can get the cash to.
morrow morning. I'm going up tc
Bluemont this afternoon and will be
in day after tomorrow and get the
book again
Sounds good" said the jeweler
guess that would be all right"
So the trade was consummated.
Sequel Revealed Next Morning.
But the next morning payment on
fhA check was refused as the de-