Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-01-31
BANK STOCKS ARE
POPULAR FORM OF INVESTMENT
Possess Every Merit for Long Carry-New Federal
American Bank to Open Doors Soon-Other
Financial Notes.

signed and decorated along medleVal
spanish and Italian themes. Is sur
assed for beauty and artistic erect
probably by none In washington.
Che lobby measures "a feet by 80
eet, surrounded on three sides by
handsomely hand carved counters of
Italian walnut The ceiling Is Of
Spanish design. hand painted. from
whose center is suspended large
chandelier in artistic keeping with
The general beauty Of the entire
room. A balcony covers three sides
of the building. while over the STAR
way leading to the lobby Is carved
stone arch.
The back wall Of the lobby is con-
structed of Aqua Creek quarries
stone, known as George Washington
sandstone. of which Washington con-
structed a mill at Great Falls. Va,
the walls of which are still stan ding.
The exterior of the building is Of
Indiana limestone and granite.
Aside from the artistic features of
the new building. probably one of
the most striking innovations. and
one that may revolutiontze existing
bank quarters, Is the new type OF
counter, originated by John Poole.
president of the bank. and worked
out I'm detail by Alfred G. Bosom.
bank engineer and architect. Con-
trary to the usual type of construc-
ton. the new bank Will have no
tellers cages, no wickets and no high
grille work, or glass inclosure.'
New Type Of Counter.
This new type of counter has two
levels. The first level, feet and D
inches from the floor, is ledge So
inches wide, which is used by Gus
toners for counting and writing.
90
level, a few inches higher, the money
is passed On this level, also, Is a
slight rail consisting Of three metal
rods, inches apart, supported by
ornate stanchions. Under the top on
the inside of the counter Is a recess
lighted by electric lamps having pow
erful refiectors, In which recess the
teller may keep papers and such
specie as he desires. The bulk OF the
funds in his charge Is in counter
drawer in front of him.
The new arrangement Is said to
have many advantages. besides acting
as a deterrent to thieves and bandits.
Every clerk in the bank can sec every
visitor and also all his fellow workers.
The ARRANGEMENT also insureS greater
service to the public. 1t Is estimated
81 tellers can work during rush hours
at the east counter in the pank,
whereas under the old system less
than half that number could work In
the same space.
Modern bank equipment and i'm
provementS characterize the building
throughout The door to the safe de
post vault, perhaps the largest in the
city, weighs 80 tons. The vault Is
equipped with $500 boxes. while its
total capacity will be 5000 boxes. The
money vault in the rear Of the main
| lobby has a door weighing Is tons.
Another feature of the new build
! ing will be the night depository on
Fourteenth street for use Of Gus
toners Of the bank after banking
| hours.
The officers of the institution will
| be on the north side of the lobby
while tellers will be on the east and
south sides. The bookkeeping, transit
and other clerical departments will
be on the upper floors.
Banquet POSTMASTER Named.
William W. Spaid. possessor Of lone
| Of the clearest and fastest sets OF
thinking machinery in and around
Washington" according to the Wal
Street Journal. will act as toastmster
at the annual banquet Of the Wash
! ington Chapter, Institute Of Banking
at the Willard on February 20.
This announcement by T. Hunter
Leith. in charge of the dinner, fur
| nishes the dinners best selling talk
as Bills wholesome wit and infec
tious humor are we'll worth the price
| of admission alone
Bank Clearings Grow.
Clearings Of the Washington ba nix
| ing institutions for the banking month
which ended yesterday amounted to
$112. 1853 AL, a gain of more than So
900 900 over the corresponding month
| of last wear but a decline of apDroX