Evening star., 1933-10-05

MRS. MARK C. BULLS,
Only woman member of the Depositors'
Committee of the United States Savings
Bank Star Staff Photo.
plans advanced for reopening the bank.
he emphasized that Sl,800,000 of from
l 200 to 1000 pc tient. long suffering,
burden heavy depositors has been de-
MED them for urgent and pressing
needs This condition of affairs is un-
just and intolerable. Business con-
tinues to be depressed for lack of capi-
tai and the normal flow OF currency
because of this frozen capital. Many
merchants. to my knowledge, are on
the verge of bankruptcy and the loss
of a business. built after years Of
struggle and sacrifice. because most of
their capital is tied up in this bank.
and some will not be able to carry on
through the Winter unless they get
relief at an early date. You can pro-
vide that relief by immediate action.
1t is up to you"
Smith Explains Status.
During attempts of Smaller to get a
new chairman for the evening Mr..
Smith was asked if he was a depositor.
He said his firm was a depositor. He
said he was neither a Stockholder nor
an officer in the bank.
The resolution which Mr. Purcell
presented .solemnly protested against
the continued and prolonged closing"
of the bank. 1t expressed regret at
the distress which the closing had
brought to the community, and Sug-
gested the names of six members of the
committee. Mr.. Smaller moved the
adoption of the resolution, which would
have made himself and others men,
bers Of the committee.
Chairman Smith received the resolu-
ton with a smile. saying he wanted
the depositors to appoint their own
committee. The resolution was adopted
and the meeting was adjourned, but it
didn't stay adjourned long.
"Folks!" suddenly called out Chair
man Smith, in a loud voice, as the
Come back here! We understand
this is Cooper's committed" The
crowd halted. uncertain
From the floor. Mr.. Masters shouted
| to bring back the crowd. Il move re-
consideration of this motion, as it is
Col. Cooper'S committee. If you want
this committee to vote the way stock
holders of the bank want them to vote,
go on home. But if you want COM
mittee to vote in the interest of the
depositors of the bank come back here
and name a new committee"
Seek to Gain Recognition.
Several voices attempted to gain rec
| ognition from the chair.
From the floor, Mr.. S. Grape called
to Chairman Smith. who was named
Mr.. Smith. have you accepted this
appointment"
Il knew nothing about it," said Mr..
Smith.
Mr.. Thompson" called out Grape.
turning to the president of Thompson
Dairy, Inc, in the back of the room,
have you accepted?"
Il have not" said Thompson.
There is something wrong about
| this" declared Chairman Smith.
! Mr.. Purcell came forward out Of the
confusion of people returning to their
seats.
Il have not been asked to serve on
| this committee" explained Chairman
Smith, "and I doubt if the others have
been asked" He declined to serve OH
the new committee.
Mr.. Purcell declined responsibility
for having to ask the men to serve;
I'VE nominated he said. That's all
we can do"
Rising from the audience to repre-
sent Mr.. Wilcox. Of the Elite Laundry,
spokesman said that Mr.. Wilcox was
q depositor in the bank, but he kne"
positively that he was not stock
holder. Chairman Smith hastened to
say Hes a very fine mani know
him we'll"
Majority for Reopening.
| Finally a vote by raising of hands
was resorted to for decision to reopen
the meeting. A large majority favored
the reopening, while a smaller group
in the rear of the hall voted against
reopening.
Chairman Smith then explained that
| four depositors of the committee from
the business mems organization hao
gone to the Treasury. officials OF the
Treasury, he said, were more than
anxiors" that the bank be reopened.
But, said Chairman Smith, you want
a depositors committee, and not a
stockholders committee"
Then came revelations Of the personal
bank accounts of some nominees Tor
the Depositors' Committee.
Mr.. Grape, the first man to be nomi-
mated. said he was a depositor but not
a stockholder. He said he had In the
bank personally $24,500; for his COM
pany about $4,000. and that in addition
five men in his employ were depositors
Mr.. Masters said he had about $1,000
on deposit.
Mr.. Chambers, who was on the first
committee, and was nominated for the
second committee, spoke at length. de-
claring he was mot interested in Col
Cooper" but preferred not to serve on
the committee Mr.. Chambers said he
had had about $4,000 in the bank be.
fore it closed. but that now he had
about $4,000.
Mr.. Thompson, when asked about
his deposit, said he had between $14,00C
and $4,000 in the bank and that hi;
employees had probably somewhere be.
tween $4,000 and $4,000.
DIR. Tyler Is Renamed.
Mr.. Smith, who had attended the
meeting earlier but left at the first
adjournment. was elected to the COM
mittee after some one in the audience
namd certain sum which he under.
stood Mr.. Smith and his employees hac
in the bank.
DR.. Tyler, who also had left at the
first adjournment, after being appoint
ed to the first committee. was renamed
to the second committee when it wa.
said he was a large depositor but no
a stockholder.
When attempts were made to limit
the committee to five members, Shallel
again took the floor to attempt tt
open the membership to any deposition
who wished to serve, and then charged
that the chairman of the evening "hac
steam-rollered" the meeting. Chairman
Smith fatty denied it.
When Mr.. Purcell defended Col
Cooper against what he said was al
attack, because the colonel could no
answer back. under rules Of the eve
ming. Mr.. Grape denied he was black
guarding" Col. Cooper and Responded
by saying: "Mr. Purcell for a lont