The Washington times., 1924-06-21
BANK BUILDINGS
Of j. 5. BEST
EQUIPPED
Bosom, Who Is Designer Of
FederaI-Amerioan Home in
Washington, Gives Contrasts

VdSHllSIOHVSlVS NOHII dSIS
Consistent effort is made by
architects to make the American
bank more convenient for the pub
lie. In contrast is the scant ac-
commodationS which NEST Eu-
ropean banks provide for their
clients.
English banks are housed in
antiquated buildings. The banks
working force is placed in the CEN
ter of the counting-room under
q Skylight. Accountants sit at
huge desks, working ledgers so
big an American bookkeeper would
demand a crane to move one.
Bank Architects Views.
Alfred G. BOSOM, of New York,
American Fellow of the Royal
Institute Of British Architects, has
recently returned from Europe,
where he went in quest Of ideas
in bank equipment and decora-
ton. English banks do not pro.
vide many facilities for the client,
he tells.
In the English banks a GUS
toner is much in the background.
Around the lobby which surrounds
the central space where employees
sit there is little or no light, and
no seats provided for visitors.
Check desks are primitive. Shelves
In front Of the counter screen
are so ample that the client can
waiting to receive the attention
Of the teller. This he can do
II he carries a fountain pen, for
not even the old-fashioned Eng
liSh ink-well and pen Is available.
Says Bosom:
MANY American bankers IA
var going without screens ON
their counters, or at least using
small ones, so that cashiers and
tellers can come in closer con.
tact with the public. In Ger.
tain labor bank in New York
city the cashier sits at an open
counter with q big drawer fun
Of bills in front Of him.
The money Is far better pro. 4
tectcd than one might think at
first flash, however. Several
broad-shouldered detectives with
broader -soled shoes are constantly
on the alert"
In English banks, Bosom says,
the wood counters have no protec.
ton above except a small bronze
rail- about eighteen inches In
height. In front of each teller is
O small sentry box contrivance
about two and one-half inches wide.
1t is a practically a desk with a
glass protection around it, so the
visitor cannot see the actual count
ing of money. But this arrange
ment would not prevent a thief
from jumping over into the bank
space.
American Safeguards.
The wire screen over the cashiers
cage in large American banks is
q relic of days when old-time bank
sneaks vaulted to the counters and
leaned over the low screens and
helped themselves. While one man
was attracting the attention Of the
cashier, his confederate performed
this feat. Often he was able to
escape with a considerable sum,
Bosom says:
I'm. America we have every DOS.
sible facility for protection of
money. What with patent burglar
alarms and every part of the bank
under close observation Of officials
and bank detectives, it is prac-
t1cally impossible for thieves to
ply in large centers Of population.
Every American bank is equipped
with huge burglar and fireproof
vaults.
an England did not see any
such repositories. There may he
vaults abroad with circular doors,
but l did not see them"
Private rooms in English banks
are usually upstairs, though In
some places they extend across the
Inhhv ond IT,
illuminated by artificial means, All
floors are Of wood, although some
are covered with Iinoleum.
French banks show more hog
pitality toward customers. Tables
as large as those used in dining
rooms are provided. Benches and
chairs are plentiful.
Bank employees in France are
close to the walls. The customer
has the daylight.
In the average French bank, &C.
cord1ng to Bosom, there is no
sign Of feverish activity. Many
buildings occupied by banks have
been used as palaces.
Bosom continues:
THE French believe in having
q large number of small safes in
an ordinary room. In the main
office Of one Of the largest banks
IN France, for example, the type
OF the vault consisted Of side
walk lights, easily broken with
a sledgt hammer.
1.-THE banking rooms are more
ornate than those of England.
They have at least some color and
ornamentation, although marble
or bronze are almost never used"
American Banks Best.
Bosom considers that American
bank buildings are the handsomest
in the world. The American bank
appreciates the advertising value
OF a fine building.
Throughout the South there are
many attractive bank buildings
which would seem like palaces
compared with financial institutions
on the other side. Among these
are the homes of the Virginia Trust
Company, of Richmond, Virginia,
or which Bosom is architect.
Such structure as that which
he has designed for the Federal.
American Bank, Of Washington, is
another illustration Of the ten
dency of American bankers toward
erecting impressive buildings.
STRAUS INTERESTS BACK