The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-09-29

Intimately connected with the
financial life Of Washington for
many years and a keen observer
of causes and effects in the bank
ing and business world is President
George o. Watson of the Liberty
National Bank.
Mr.. Walson's long residence in
the city and his constructive con-
tributions to its business Adevelop-
ment entitle him to speak with
certainty as to those influences
which have worked to the advan-
tage Of progress in the past and
which will continue to be felt in
the upbuilding Of the. future.
As to the present. President
Watson is one of the great ma
jority of financiers and business
men which sees washington, to-
day, in better. condition from a
business standpoint than it has
ever been at this particular season
of the year.
There never was any doubt
regarding the great possibilities of
Washington, said Mr.. Watson to-
day. Many years ago foresaw
the time when the city would step
from the comfortable. easygoing,
sleepy class into the growing, big
city class with all of. the business
carry on whatever expansion might
be required.
1.-THE Liberty National Bank was
or ganized because we believed In
Washington and its future and we
have not been disappointed in the
steady business progress.
while much of the present bust
ness activity here" continued Mr..
Watson. may be laid to the increas-
ing national and international in
terest in the Capital of the United
States, it is nevertheless, only fair
to give due credit to the far.seeing
bus. nessmen who have built up
their establishments to meet the in
creasing demands of the city.
I'm fact, some of our banks and
business houses have kept a step
or two ahead of development, have
led the way in commercial expan-
sion and community upbuilding.
This is particularly the case with
regard to some of the banks in
suburban sections.
Both the community banks and
the branches established by the
larger financial institutions have
had their part in that suburban
expansion which is one of the most
notable features Of the city's growth
in recent years.
81 fe.kr-
continued Mr.. Watson, who expects
to see a million people permanently
located in and around the District
of Columbia within reasonable
time.
The yearly increase in population
in the territory of which Washing
ton is the business center has al
ready proved that the development
OF the city and it's. enyirons is pro-
ceeding at normal and even rate.
obviously, the business of any
community increases as the popu-
lation increases, and that is one
of the reasons why the old time
slack business season" has dis
appeared here, and we find that
there is more or less even de-
mand for commodities OF all kinds
the year around.
There are enough permanent
residents here now 20 maintain an
even economic demand twelve
months rof the year with very lit
tie, il any, seasonal variation.
Naturally" said Mr.. Watson,
''the Government is one Of our big
Industries. and there are several
advantages to the business develop
ment- of the city in this. One of
them that the local governmental
expenditure in payroils is an a5-
soluteIy certain factor, never de.
layed and. never curtai1ed because
of a duh season or. an industrial
difference. d.
Another, is that the business
of Government is an expanding, IA
growing, business, and il will never
stop growing. However" continued
Mr.. Watson, Washington has
reached a stage in it's development
wherein there are many other in
terests besides Government influ-
encing it's business life.
Many of these may be connected
with government in one way or
another, but they bring to the city
new and desirable class of resi-
dents who add their purchasing
power to the business life of the