The Daily Alaska empire., 1931-07-02
SPEAKERS PAY RICK TRIBUTE
 AT NOON MEET
Bra dley He ad ds List of Speakers Honoring John
 Beck Before Chamber

has just relinquished active man. agement of that institution to Samuel E. Pope, was paid by sev- eral speakers at the Chamber of Commerce's weekly luncheon today at which P R. Bradley was host.
 MT. Pope was cordially greeted by the Chamber at the same time it assembled to honor his prede- cessor. Speakers eulogiing MT. Beck and his work as banker and for his civic and other services in- cIuded MT Bradley, J. A. Helen thai and R. F. Lewis, owner of the Juneau Water Company and busi- ness associate of MT. Beck for 30 years. Other speakers were: Cecil James, Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, pr. Fenton, and J. V. Rittenhouse.
 Illhealth Is Cause
 Illhealth, resulting from many years arduous and unremiting at tention to many business interests here, MT. Beck said, had made it necessary for him to request relief from some of his duties in the First National Bank. He intends to take a vacation and seek medi- cal aid in the south. MT. Lewis said he had asked MT. Reck to return with him to California when he leaves here next week, adding, however, that the latter would be back here in about two months to take up his duties again with the water company. Mir Reck will con- tinue to be associated with the bank.
 Bradley Pays Tribute
 MT. Bradley, introduced by Actz ing President H. VanderLeest, paid a warm compliment to MT. Reck, saying:
 "You ali know that this occasion has been brought about by John Rocks desire to be relieved from the duties of Active Manager of the First National Bank. I wish to express publicly on behalf of the Bank, its officers and shareholders, an appreciation of John Reck's services and I wish also to intro duce Mir Reck's successor, MT. Sam uel E. Pope, of Sacramento, Cali fornia.
 John Beck became President of the Bank in January, 1916; since that time and under his competent management the banks resources have been increased 100 per cent and individual deposits about the same, surely a remarkable record.
 "The bank, as you know is con- ducted under the laws and regu- lations of the National Banking Act as interpreted by the many examiners who come from time to time. The Banking act regulations are primarily adapted to meet banking conditions in large cities and are poorly adapted to meet conditions in town the size of Juneau. Hence John Reck's con- nection with the Bank has involv- ed many battles with visiting ex- aminers, all with his sincere desire that the Bank customers could have the benefit of National Bank in the community.
 Not to Lose Reck
 "The Bank is not to lose John Beck. He will retain position with the bank, as his services and his knowledge of local business conditions is one of the banks best assets
 "All the foregoing has to do with John Beck as a banker; as citi- zen you all know his worth, but I am asking MT. Hellenthal to tell you just how important a citizen John Beck has been in this com munity.
 Now as to MT. Reck's successor in the management of the Bank. You do not perhaps realize the many problems to be considered when selecting stranger for this position. Ability and capacity come first, of course, and personal ity runs close second I am con- fident that in MT. Pope we have a man whose experience and training fully qualities him for his work, and that he Is also man who will fit most gracefully into your civic and social life, and become an in- tegral part of the community l am sure the bank will prosper un- der his guidance and the city will profit from the presence of MT. Pope and his family"
 More Than Banker
 MT. Beck, said MT. Hellenthal has been more than a successful banker, has filed wider place in Juneau's history than that. He has, like B. M. Behrends of the Behrends Bank, made the First National Bank an institution of service to the community He, himself, has taken a keen interest in local business and civic affairs,