The Washington times., 1927-12-28
BANK s BRANCH
SET To OPEN
By RICHARD HATTON

LOA4AO4AOW NAAO = ~ AANAS N-AA0 49,
chanics National Bank will re-
enact q ceremony which was an
event Of vast importance to the
community almost lis years ago.
It will open a new banking house.
AS the opening Of the original bank
provided needed service to a grow.
ing community over century ago.
so the opening Of the new Friend
ship branch of the institution at
the intersection of Wisconsin Ave
nue., Warren and Thirty-ninth
Streets, Northwest, carries added
and adequate banking service to
another community which has
grown far beyond the vision of the
generation served by the original
bank.
In reporting the present exnan-
sion of the Farmers and Mechanics
it is impossible to overlook the long
and honorable years of service. both
public and private, rendered by the
institution since its organization in
1914 and the spirits of the founders
AldSb IOOh VIVA aPp4ONoA OPSAA ShO
present Accomplishment of Presi-
rectors who have carried on and
made good the faith of those who
organized the bank in the strug-
Cling days of the young republic.
Architectural Beauty
The new branch office is an out
standing architectural feature of
the outlying business center which
1t dominates. Its white Indiana lime
stone facade with an elevation on
three streets is a landmark of a
growing community and enriches
the destined focal point of great
future development. The ensemble
Of the interior typifies the latest
development in bank architecture
which has so steadily moved away
from the austerity Of genera ion
ago to the end that banking offices
now glow with the warmth of help
ful friendship where once they pre-.
sented but the cold front Of com.
mercialism.
The main banking room Of the
Friendship branch of the Farmers
and Mechanics National Bank is
spacious and high.ceilinged with
long windows on three sides. II
is somewhat octagonal in shape,
giving ample counter space with
room for 10 tellers. There are
no cages for these officials, the
new cageless counter plan being
adopted in the counter fittings. The
walls of the main lobby are fin.
ished in old ivory stone and the
high ceiling Is supported by four
polished green marble col u m {
which artistically blend with the
old ivory walls and darker silk
hangtnss. From the center Of the
high ceiling depends an art bronze
chandelier with 20 lights. Bronze
brackets. also, hold lights at well
spaced intervals around the walls
To the right Of the counters
on the main floor there has beer
constructed a large steel and con
crete vault of approved safety de
sign wherein are located the safe
deposit boxes of customers ant
compartments for the use of the
bank. Just beside this there arr
several commodious booths for thu
use of customers Of the safe de
posit department. In front of th'
vault Is an office for the branch
manager. and opposite this room
especially constructed for the con
venience of women customers, with
desks. comfortable chairs and Z
rest room.
The woodwork, furnishings ant
fittings of the main banking room
are Of dark walnut harmonizins
with the bronze counter furnish
ings. the green marble columns will
gold capitals and the softer tones
of walls and hangings. The hool
is of marble.
With all banking and safe deposit
equipment on the main floor there
Is left in the high ceilinged base
ment of the structure ample space
for a vault for the use of the bank
and especially large rest rooms and
wash rooms for both men and wo
men employees. In the security de-
vices installed the very latest i'm
provements have been provided
President Haynes being an acknowl
edged expert in regard to this i'm
portant matter. A large phone
booth is constructed in the main
lobby for the use Of patrons.
w. Edmund Freeman is in charge
Of the new branch bank with a
staff of experienced officials under
his direction.
The handsome new building will
be opened Thursday morning at Z
o'clock and will remain open for
inspection until D. m. The bank