Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-01-24

can recall, as though it were but yes
terday, the high compliments my
father used to pay him; he trusted
him implicitly. and he was never dis
appointed. Mr.. Knauff has had a long
and valuable experience as a bank
man, an experience that ideally fits
him for the position to which he has
been elected in the Federal Trust.
The best testimony of worth of
man comes from those with whom he
associates in business. Ask any of
the banking officials who frequently
come to. Waterville what they think
of William A. Knauff. and each and
all pay him highest compliment.
These years of training in the banks
and in other institutions with which
he has been vitality connected has
brought him into close touch with
hundreds of our people. and hun
dreds more without the gates of our
city. and these hundreds trust him
and esteem him for his integrity.
Fortunate. indeed. is the Federal
Trust to have such a man for its
ruling spirit. He it is that has
brought this new bank into being,
he alone deserves the credit; and
that he has been able to do This is
the strongest testimonial of the faith
that people have in him. suggest
that out of compliment to him we
stand to greet him."
Mr.. Knauffs spoke as follows:
need not tell you how pleased
your officers are to have you here
tonight. and how warm is our ap-
probation of your interest in the
Federal Trust. Company.
OF course, you gentlemen have
been active in the organization of
this new institution, and YOU are
enthusiastic about it. We look,
properly enough, for great results
from your enthusiasm. The people
OF Waterville and vicinity have been
accustomed to look upon you as
men acquainted with success, identi-
fed with prosperous enterprises and
responsible for their prosperity.
Your natural desire to make this
new enterprise likewise a successful
one; Is our best assurance of sub
stantial progress.
And we are particularly glad that
the ladies are with US this evening
when we are talking over business
plans and prospects.
/ wonder how many of us realize
how valuable their cooperation will
prove. Women control the eXpendi-
ture of the major portion of most
family incomes. and the figures show
that they are, as rule, more truly
economical and far better savers
than their husbands. Women have
invaded the business and profess
sional fields successfully, and no one
will question that they are as sound
ly critical of ban'-inr service as any
nan may be. They know what good
service is, and they are much more
likely to insist on having tor go
elSewhere-than are their husbands
and brothers.
The Federal Trust Company has
made the most complete arrange
ments for the service and conve-
nience of women patrons, and 1t in
tends to deserve their business. I'm
der the circumstances, therefore,
your officers are particularly graft
fled to have you here, to make plain
to you our ideals of service, and to
talk over with you how you may
help in building up this institution
in whose progress you are necessa-
rily interested.
The growth of a bank is necessa-
rily conditioned, of course. upon it's
service and it's strength, but there
are other contributing factors of
essential Importance. Getting new
OuSiHCSS, llluccO. 10 very ldIBSly
matter of the intelligent co-ordina-
ton of advertising and craftsmanship.
The advertising will interpret to the
people of Waterville and of all this
section our conception of the banks
personality, of what it can do for
those who favor it with their bust
ness. of the part it means to play in
the business and personal life of the
community, and of the spirit which
actuates it's operations.
The craftsmanship? That is an
other matter, but it must serve the
same end. Some banks hire sales
men, know, but the Federal Trust
Company, with it's influential direc-
torate of 2S members. it's expert
enced >of1icers, carefully selected
staff, and interested stockholders,
has Immediately available an organ
ization of incalculable potentialities
where selling is concerned.
Consider what it would mean If
every one OF these individuals were
to make a real effort to influence to
us only a single account a month
and you know there is no one con-
nected with the institution who can
not do much more than that. Think
what it will mean If every one of
us not only accords the institution
his or her personal and business ac-
count, but influences to it the ac-
counts of friends and associates and
business acquaintance.
1t means success from the start,
for every item we handle. every dol
lar added to our deposits. adds just
that much to the value of the bust
ness as an investment. and to the
earning power of the money invest
cd in, G SfnrR yNn hn rilIr nj
ourselves more in business way
than by helping to build the bust
ness of our bank.
A bank, indeed. which does not
go out after business as it should
reminds me of the small girl whose
family came, into money and bought
a country place.
One day a visitor asked her if her
hens laid eggs.
"Oh. they can" she answered
haughtily. but in our position they
don't have to-"
This new Federal Trust Company
of ours is not to be run on that
basis. 1t starts with every advan-
tage. Your officers expect very cor
dial cooperation with you stock
holders and l also hope very much
indeed that our relations with the
local banking institutions may at all
times be exceedingly pleasant. If
we, who are interested in it's success,
make the most of the opportunities
at our command, we can make this
a big and a successful bank. / know
we will.
POSTMASTER Libby in introducing
the President of the Federal Trust
Company. Leon o. Tebbetts. said in
part:
From the very beginning of the
work incident to the establishment
of our Trust Company, most of us