The Washington times., 1926-12-31

business depression, Out b uOr
sums up expressed economic O
That Washington Is somewhat
set apart from the rest Of the
country in the matter of its bust
ness and its progress is obvious
It is, therefore, wise, when con-
siaering the future of this city,
to add to the nationwide predic.
lions of experts the views Of local
observers.
There are presented below the
opinions of a number OF promt.
laent Washington bankers whose
fingers are upon the pulse Of bust
ness. They deserve the serious
and intelligent consideration OF
every citizen OF the Capital.
Moran Sees New Cycle
Vice President Howard Moran,
Of the American Security and Trust
Company. president Of the Dis
trict Of Columbia Bankers Asso'
citation. when asked Tor an opinion
~ to 1927. said:
SIN making an analysis Of bust
ness conditions for the future. ex'
berience has taught us to look
back into the past and observe
what has occurred in all lines
of business DEVELOPMENT. It Y
undoubtedly true that, 1927 will
mean the start Of a new curve
In the cycle period. as business
charts Of years past indicate that
such cycles occur between tbout
every five and ten years.
ssWashlngton always will enjoy
the position OF being the center
81 Government activities. and for
such cause their existence VIII
exert an influence In keeping bust.
ness activities on a normal basis.
at is undoubtedly true that op-
erations In certain lines viii be
retarded to some extent In 1877
because Of the overexpansion in
the past, but as far as Washing.
ton. is concerned this will be offset
by the action Of Congress- in the
extensive building program which
will begin In, 1927 and viii provide
employment and give business In
various classes of trade.
1.-THE recent report of the Comp
troller of Currency on the condition
of washington financial institutions
shows a continued growth, and the
recent distribution of over $4,000
900 in Christmas savings funds in
dicates the saving ability of the
people OF Washington. so that the
curve Of business, as far as banks
are concerned. should show an up.
ward trend.
s'As the capital city OF our coun-
try, Wast1ington's population can.
not but increase, and the average in.
crease which has occurred after we
had returned to pre-war basis
should show greater increase DUR
ing the coming year because OF the
Increasing interest displayed in all
sections OF our country for selecting
Washington as a residential, social
and business center"
Fleming Optimistic
President Robert v. Fleming. Of
the Riggs National Bank. expressed
the same optimism when he said:
'sThe business outlook for Wash
ington for 1927 is most encourag.
ing. The construction program OF
the Government. which seems to be
well under way to provide suitable
and modern housing for the Fed.
eral agencies. again brings into
focus the growing importance Of
this great Capital City.
1T is perhaps not a far-fetched
prediction that our Capital City
wi1l some day. like other national
apitals. become a metropolis. The
prospects for business are
reassuring. and look to see a
continuation during the new year Of
the very satisfactory conditions we
are enjoying"
"The business outlook for 1927 is
increasingly good" said President
John B. Larner, of the Washington
Loan and Trust Company. Il get
this view from many business men
with whom I talk. There Is gen.
eraI confidence in the Government
and in Congress. What has already
been done by Congress for the Dis
trict of Columbia Is sure to react
to the benefit Of business and COM
mercial interests here regardless of
conditions elsewhere"
President John Poole, of the Fed
eral-American National Bank, said:
81 am very optimistic as to 1927.
In the aggregate business will in
crease. / cannot but feel that there
will be more people, more wealth,
and consequently more business in
Washington not only in 1927 but in
each succeeding year"
Washington has now become an
International capital" stated Presi.
dent George w. White, Of the Ma
tional Metropolitan Bank, land has
nothing but success before it. The
city was formerly nations cap,
ital. but now it Is a world capital.
While there may be a period OF
slowing down in development, there
will never be retrogression. Before
US lies nothing but progress, pros
perity and production"
Harper "SOId" on City
President Robert N. Harper, OF
the District National Bank, stated
emphatically: II believe it Is vel
understood that am an optimis
regarding Washington. This opti
mism has been controlling influ
ence with me in the past and with
this position already taken Their
Is certainly no reason for holdInf
q different view in the present re
garding the future OF the city. Th'
natural tendency for Washington t.
move forward will be greatly stimu
lated during the next few year
by the unusual building program I,
be carried out by the Government.
1926 has been uniformly profit
able for business" stated Presiden
r. Golden Donaldson of the CONNER
cial National Bank. but" he warn
ed, I'VE must not assume q continu
alton Of this condition without effor
on our part. There ts no reason
however, why 1927 should not be
PROSPEROUS year in Washington. prc