The Washington times., 1925-02-02
BUSINESS GOOD
DURING PAST
MONTH
District Bankers Optimistic
Over Financial Outlook
for Balance of 1925
By RICHARD HATTON.

By RICHARD HATTON.
The financial outlook for the
District of Columbia for the year
1925, based upon conditions obtain
ing during the first month of the
year and g. general survey of the
situation as it appears after thirty
days of business. is decidedly en-
couraging to those who keep in
touch with financial causes and ef-
fects. District bankers, in general,
take a strongly optimistic view of the
coming months and point out that
even the long absence of Congress,
nine months will intervene between
the adjournment in March and the
reassembling of the Legislators. will
not materially affect the situation.
1t is pointed out that while bank
c1earings may be slightly reduced
immediately after the adjournment
of Congress the stimulative effect
Of the Inauguration activities will
more than offset this condition.
Tourists Bring Business.
The steady increase in the num-
ber of tourists visiting the capital
is another factor which will oper-
ate to hold the present satisfac-
tory financial condition normal,
according to local bankers. In this
connection it is interesting to note
that Washington is profiting from
the nationwide advertising advan-
tages Of the very general radio
broadcasting Of news from this
city.
No community in the country is
more constantly brought to the
attention of millions OF radio fans
than is the national capital and
the broadcasting is creating q very
general desire upon the part OF
those who travel for pleasure to
visit the seat OF the national gov
ernment.
Washington is fast becoming the
objective of thousands who are now
making plans for their summer
tours. The establishment of an
adequate tourist park near the city
will add to it's attractiveness to
those who journey by automobile
during the touring season.
1t is, also, pointed out that the
prospect Of continued building activ.
ity here, which will be stimulated
by the favorable spring and sum-
mer weather will lend its influence
to the generally favorable banking
outlook.
in nearby sections Of Maryland and
Virginia, with the prospect Of in.
creased transportation facilities are,
also, considered factors in the
financial upbuilding Of the District.
Washington has, also, become the
news center of the world as well as
the meeting place Of many interna-
tional conferences all of which
bring their quota of financial, and
business activities.
The very evident possibility that
the biggest issue to come before the
next Congress will be that of the
adjustment Of foreign debts is GER
tain to result in a renewed influx
of officials, financial experts and
their retinues from overseas. These
temporary increases to the official
population Of the city will not be
without effect upon general local
conditions.
January Good Month.
January has been a remarkably
good month"; declared President
Larner of the Washington Loau
and Trust Company today. Bank
ing here has kept up to the high
water mark. The population Of
Washington is increasing with de
sirable and substantial class Of citi-
zens. The year will witness a con.
tinuation of this increase and there
will be an extension Of banking
prosperity. Nothing phenomenal is
looked for, but the advance will be
steady and substantial.
1.-The people who live away from
the Capital are beginning to realize
the influence of Washington upon
the financial conditions in other
parts OF the country. The influence
of the Federal Reserve Board has
been a contributing influence to the
present excellent conditions In
Washington and there are at pres
ent no clouds in the local bankinR g
sky"
Joshua Evans, vice president OF
the District National Bank, in com
menting upon the banking outlook
said:
"The financial and general busi-
ness outlook in the District for the
remaining eleven months Of 1925 is
encouraging The people Of the
nation are fast coming to realize
that Washington is their city. Its
onward march as a scientific, edu-
cational and art center will bring
continued financial expansion
I'm my daily COHIdcI Will Tic
public" said Vice President Wilmer
]. Waller. of the Federal-Americah
Bank, Il find indications of gen
eral feeling of optimism. The pub.
lie, generally, is looking forward to
a wear of local financial improve
ment. This attitude upon the part
of the public will go q long way
toward bringing about satisfactory
conditions. The outlook for the rest
of this year, from a banking stand
point is excellent.
Many other expressions of salts
faction with banking conditions OBJ
tanning in Washington as indicated
by the first months Business in
1925 have been kca i in
circles and ii is more than evident
that both business and finance in
the District are facing fundamental
r. sound development during the
year.