Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-01
Succumbs in New York City
After Illness Lasting
Several Months.
BODY WILL BE BROUGHT
TO WASHINGTON TODAY
Was Connected With Score of Cor
porations and Identified With
Civic Enterprises.

Charles j. Bell, chairman Of the
board Of directors of the American Sc
curity & Trust Co., president of the
Norfolk & Washington Steamboat Co.,
director of a score of corporations and
for more than 40 years one Of the lead
ing figures in Washington's financial
district, died at $50 o'clock this morn
ing in St. Lukes Hospital, New York
City. His death followed an illness Of
several months. but 1t was only recently
that his physicians realized that he
could not recover. He was II years old.
Mr.. Bell was first taken Ill last Feb
ruary. He was operated upon in the
Episcopal Eye, Ear and Throat Hos
pital in this city, with the aim Of re-
lieving him from intense pain due to
headaches. For a time he improved,
This Summer, accompanied by Mrs.
Bell, he went to Belgrade Lakes in
Maine. After remaining there and at
another fishing camp in Maine for sew
eral weeks, Mr.. Bell went to Litchfleld,
Conn.,, with the hope that the change
might benefit him. From there special
lists decided upon his removal to St.
Luke's Hospital in New York.
Relatives had been constantly at his
bedside during the past few days. 1t
was announced here this morning that
his body would be brought from New
York today. but that plans had not been
completed for the funeral.
Born in Dublin. Ireland.
Mr.. Bell was born in Dublin, Ireland,
April IL, 1888, and was educated in
Wesleyan Connectional College, in Dub
lin. Leaving home when a young man,
he first went to Canada in 1875. His
first connection with a financial inst-
tuition was with the Imperial Bank OF
Canada, with which he remained until
1879. laying the foundation for a bril-
liant financial career.
At that time he became interested
with his cousin, the late Dr. Alexander
Graham Bell. in the telephone indus
try, and was appointed general manager
of the National Telephone Co. of Eng
land. He held this position from 1881
until 1882. He came to this city In
1882 and organized the private bank
ing firm of Bell g. Co.
In 1889, when the American security
& Trust Co. was organized, Mr.. Bel! pc
came vice president. Four years iatef
he was elected president OF the trus. M
company and remained at the helm for
IS years. The veteran banker asked to
be relieved of the presidency in Febru-
ary, 1928, being succeeded by Corcoran
Thorn and being elected chairman OF
the board. He was paid brilliant trlb-
ute by the board of directors at that
time. However. Mr.. Bell did not retire
from work, remaining actively con-
nected with the bank until his last Ill
ness. He found time for trip to Ire
land a year ago and had trip to Alaska
arranged for this Summer. when it was
discovered that his health would not
permit such long journey. For almost
half a century his advice had been
sought by leaders in the financial dis
trict. and his recent absence had been
keenly felt.
Public spirited Citizen.
Mr.. Bell did not give all his time to
financial matters by any means. He
was one of Washington's most public
spirited citizens, ready to support every
cause that would advance the clty's
civic interests.
He was one of the incorporators of
the American Red Cross, trustee and
member of the board of the George
Memorial Association,
chairman of the finance committee and
member of the board of the Public LII
brary. Mr.. Bell was also on the board
of the Washington Sanitary Housing Co.
He was chairman of the board OF
directors of the Potomac Electric Power
Co. and of the Washington Railway &
Electric Co. He was a member of the
board of trustees of American Univer-
sity and a valued member of the Chap
ter of Washington Cathedral.
Mr.. Bell also was a member OF the
board of directors of the Terminal Re-
& Warehousing Co., WASH
lngton Market Co., Security Storage
Co., National Geographic Society. Real
Estate Title Insurance Co., Norfolk g.
Steamboat Co., Columbia
Title Insurance Co. and Columbia Sand
& Gravel Co.
President of the District of Columbia
Bankers Association. many years ago.
Mr.. Bell always took a deep interest in
this organization and in this connec-
ton offered many prizes for scholarships
in the American Institute OF Banking
The veterans financier was always
greatly concerned in the education prog
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