Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-09-02
BY I. A. FLEMING.

Crane, Paris & Co, the oldest in
yestment banking house in Washington
| contemplates with much pleasure the
| occupation of Its own and permanent
home in the heart of the financial dis
trict OF the city on wednesday OF this
week.
A continuous record OF As years In
| business through all the panics ano
| troubles that have attended the financial
world during that time indicates that
| the firm has been Steered by able pilots
and has a reputation that stands high
in financial ratings. In 1888 Augustus
Crane and Albion K Paris formed a
partnership under the title which has
been continuously In business and gives
promise of going on indefinitely. They
formerly did quite an important private
banking business, but gave up that fea-
ture some years ago.
The firm has always been prominent
In the local security market, has been
equally to the fore in participation Of
large bond issue marketings by many
of the largest bond houses of Boston
and New York and has exclusively and
successfully f1oated a number of local
bond issues.
Albion K. Paris, for many years one
of the leading citizens of Washington,
joined the local Stock Exchange Novem-
Der, 1881. II was organized october
26 of the same year, so that he was
practically one of the earliest of the
20 members to which the exchange was
limited at that time.
He is still member. active and
strong in his years, though he prac-
tically retired from business a number
of years ago. He retains his affection
for the old flrm maintains desk in
the Office and frequently pays his re-
spects to the Stock Exchange, where he
is always greeted with cheers. He has
held every Office in the gift of the
members.
Eugene f. Thompson Senior Member.
At the time of the retirement of Mr.
Paris, Mr. Crane also retired, being
succeeded by Eugene E. Thompson and
George Hewitt Meyers acquiring control
and continuing In business under the
old firm name.
MIR. Thompson. a Washington boy
developed q thorough knowledge OF
bonds and stocks and for years was an
employee of Crane, Paris & Co.. and
his advice was sought and acted upon
by large contingent of the firms
customers
The old firm with the new personnel
held all OF the old customers and
rapidly added new ones, moving first
from the Wyatt Building to the main
floor of the Stock Exchange Building In
Fifteenth street northwest
Mr. Thompson has developed promi-
nent!y In financial and civic affairs and
has made wonderful success Of his
business interests He has held all
Offices of the Stock Exchange
When 1t was decided to undertake
the flotation OF the Liberty Loan bonds
In financing the recent war, Mr.. Thomp-
son was named as one of the local
Liberty Loan commission that played
such an important part in the success
of the five loans
Sells 1880 Shares of Stock.
BY far Mr.. Thompsons greatest
business success was In the acquisition
for the North American Co. of block
Of 27.500 shares OF the capital stock,
common. of the Washington Railway a.
Electric Co. These shares were held by
a group of local bankers. having been
taken by them In the foreclosure of
notes issued by the Inflated Washington
Securities Co. which was to have
absorbed all the public utilities of this
city except the Chesapeake g. Potomac
Telephone Co. which Is a unit of the
American Telephone a. Telegraph, Co.
This attempt at merger proved seri-
Gus loss, being stopped short by the
La Toilette lawf
North American Co.
The North American Co, holding
corporation interested in utilities, ac~
quired the bankers holdings and has
since added to 1t sufficient additional
holdings TO give it a large majority Of
the common shares and part of the
preferred. as we'll as large interest
In the Capital Traction Co. sufficient
at least to be able to agree with the
latter on merger plans which are now
before Congress, with every probability
of action at the next session Of Con-
gress.
Since the acquisition and sale of the
big block. Mr. Thompson has since rep
resented the North American Co. here
and has made large purchases of Wash
ington Railway and Capital Traction
shares In It's interest
A few years ago, Y. r, Booker. a
financial writer. ieined the Arm OF Crane,
Paris 3, Co, this being the only change
in the firm title since the retirement
OF The original partners Mr.. Booker
soon engaged in business for himself
Mr.. Meyers Joining with him.
Thomas w. Brahany Becomes Member
Thomas Brahany who for years had
represented the Cities Service Co. in
this city. and one of our best known
young financiers. then Joined Crane
Paris 81 Co. b Ogle Harper is also
a member.
Buys Business Property.
When the American Security q, Trust
Co acquired the Stock Exchange Build
ing, Crane Paris 81 Co, moved to 800
Fifteenth street. A permanent home
has now been acquired at 82l Fifteenth
street. so that moving will not be much
of task. The new home Is four
story, concrete structure, and the firm
will occupy the main and me2zonine
floors, with ample room for customers
rooms, and all other needed space.
New York stock, bond and curb tickers
will tell the story of market fluctuations
and New York News Bureau ticker
will reel off the gossip and news OF the
Street
All equipment will be new and the
cages of the cashiers and Office quarters
will be without all brass work.
Heard In Financial District.
George l.. Starkey. president OF the
National Bank of Washington, plans to
leave this week on an extended motor
trip along the Eastern seahoard to