Evening star., 1928-06-03
BY I. A. FLEMING.

Nine conventions of the District Of
Columbia Bankers Association have
been held, each replete with programs
of rare merit, with suggestions for the
betterment of banking conditions and
with practical developments from which
have come many Of the innovations in
banking that have resulted In the in
stallation of systems and the righting
of costly errors to the increasing Of
profits and the lessening Of Improbable
service.
Bankers all over the country are or
ganiZed. A national association on
broad and useful lines has been func-
tioning for years and 48 States have
their own organizations, but the District
of Columbia with Its one city, Wash
ington, hesitated long before deciding
to hold annual conventions.
Credit the younger men in the bank
ing business with being the ones
responsible for the first convention.
Some of the veterans joined in but there
was opposition, hesitancy and many
queries as to why leave the city? Hold
your convention here"
Prior to the first convention, meetings
of the association were slow and untn-
teresting affairs, relieved by addresses
by some outside banker visiting the city,
an official of the Treasury or from the
office of the controller of the currency
with an occasional matter Of interest to
the fraternity that aroused general
interest or discussion.
The First Convention.
Bank officials were In the habit of
attending nearby conventions and also
meetings of the American Bankers
Association and there was feeling
that good would come from annual
gatherings of the local association If
they could be held away from the city,
where an attendance would be assured.
with sufficient time given to the prep
aration Of reports on various subjects
and the discussion of the same.
The first convention was held 10 years
ago at Deer Park. Md. Three days were
given over to work with night sessions
that prevented social features from re-
lieving the tedium of the days. The
accomplishments were among the most
noteworthy. Since then annual gather
fngs OF local bankers and their friends
have grown in popularity; three morn
ing sessions have been given over to
business, papers and discussions, leav-
ing the rest of the time, including even
fngs. to sports and social intercourse,
making sufficiently attractive pro-
gram to tempt large number OF guests
to make the annual outing great sue
cess, socially
Conventions are planned for Thurs
days, Fridays and Saturdays, with Sun
days left TO the choice of guests. De-
parture from Washington Is made on
Wednesdays, in the evening, and the
return trip is made over Sunday night,
permitting breakfast at home and the
taking up of usual business endeavors
on Monday morning.
Climax Of Social Functions.
The climax of the social activities
is reached on Saturday evening when
the annual family dinner Is held. Con-
vention guests gather in the great din
ing room. which Is entirely given over
to their accommodation. At these affairs
speeches are few and far between and
the fun Is fast and furious.
Popular songs under good leaders and
stunts OF various character follow each
other In rapid succession. Prizes won
In the various sports contests are pre-
sented and the best OF feeling prevails
. The chairman OF the convention usu-