Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-12-21

safe and usually sufficiently good to
establish hidden assets" for the ma
jority of banks. Hidden assets" SC
called because they do not show in the
reports of condition made by bankers
are premiums on bonds, increase in
the value of land and buildings over
the amounts at which they are carried
on the books.
Government securities are, of course,
just as safe as ever, and the bank that
has a large amount of these has Just
that much more ready cash available
at the instant desired. Railroad bonds,
highly regarded in days gone by, for
eign issues and building bonds have
suffered severely, none more so than
the issues covering buildings, while in
dustrial issues are showing large de-
probation.
The last few days there has been
some improvement in issues on the New
York Stock Exchange. Issues having
convertible privileges have been ia
vored and issues of foreign countries
have shown Steadier tone.
The life of a bond salesman today is
certainly no more peaceful and prom
ising than that of the drought-farmer,
and he is worthy of help-but will not
get 1t from the same source.
DdhkeES conference.
February 81 and % of next year will
bring together in this city 1000 bank
ers under auspices of the American
Bankers Association for conference on
their troubles and duties, with bank
management leading subject
Delegates will be from State banks
of seven adjoining States
achinuffyN no .,iI Iaa 81
the visitors, Robert v. Fleming, presi-
dent of the Riggs National, having
been named as chairman of a special
committee of the local bankers or
ganization to plan for the entertain
ment of the guests. An exchange of
experiences, If the delegates will really
dig deep, may develop ways of assisting
some delegates.
Lot of Banker Hard One.
These are strenuous days for the
banker. He has his own troubles and,
unless he is one of the exceptionally
fortunate ones called hard boiled
who refuses to listen to tales of woe,
has no time for the discouraged de-
poSitor seeking advice on what to do
with this or that stock, for the banks
are filled with actual sufferers from
market depression, generally holding on
with desperation to this or that group
OF stocks, heavy losers, seeking to save
something from the wreck and anxious
for advice.
Aside from these numerous cases
bankers have their own troubles-the
same as every one else these days. They
nave the affairs of the bank to watch
investments to make for the stock
holders expect their dividends and the
directors expect the president to pro-
duce. In times past this was a COM
paratively easy undertaking to what
1t is today.
How'd you like to manage the invest
ment business of big life insurance
company these days?
The COppers.
Officially copper has not sold as low
as cents, actually it has. Reports are
to the effect that copper stocks are
ample for three years and that there
is actual danger of some producers being
forced to close down, which would be
a serious dilemma for some of the COM
panies.
After months of reporting dizziness
depression and lower prices, 1t would
be a much pleasanter task to write OF
improvement. of prices, of passing along
of the cats in wholesale commodities
to the retail buyer but one can see but
little field for improvement.
In the future consumers are likely
to receive the benefit Of the lower costa
Of merchandise