Evening star., 1934-01-25
FLEMING RECEIVES
CITIZENS MEDAL
UnseIfish Efforts During
Banking Crisis Reviewed
at Club Meeting.

Robert v. Fleming. president the
Riggs National Bank, today was a rded
the Cosmopolitan Clubs distinguished
service medal" for the outstanding act
of unselfsh service to the community
during 1888
The award, made at luncheon meet
ing Of the club at the Carlton Hotel,
went to Mr.. Fleming in recognition
Of his efforts during the bank holiday
and resultant emergency in March
when he aided in both the local and
national situations.
Dr. J. Rozier Biggs, chairman of the
Distinguished Service Medal Committee
of the club, who, as its president sew
eral years ago, inaugurated the custom
of awarding the medal to the outstand-
ing citizen, presented the 1888 medal
to Mr.. Fleming. The presentation was
witnessed by prominent Government
off iNials and leaders in the financial
W. d. DR.. Biggs was introduced by Col.
William H. McCarty, president OF the
club.
Reviews Work on Crisis.
In making the presentation, DR. BiggS
reviewed Mr.. Fleming'S efforts on be-
half of a laboring banking world. In
addition to giving his own service, DR..
Biggs said Mr.. Fleming turned over
the Riggs Bank as headquarters for
the District Bankers Association and
the Clearing House Association and to
provide space for examiners OF the Re-
construction Finance Corporation so
applications for loans by the various
banks could be considered promptly.
Mr.. Fleming at present is chairman
of the Fedora Deposit Liquidation Com
mittee for the fifth reserve district
and in that capacity is cooperating
with Government officials in devlslng
means to expedite the release of funds
on deposit in closed banks, DR.. BiggS
said.
During the past year, Dr. Biggs point
ed out, Mr. Fleming has been particu-
larly active in national affairs, which
have brought distinction to Washing
ton. such as serving as chairman of the
Committee on Federal Legislation and
chairman of the Federal Legislative
Council of the American Bankers Asso-
citation. In these capacities he has at
tracted much favorable comment for his,
cooperation with Congress in connec-
tion with banking legislation.
Mr. Fleming is distinctly Washing
ton product He was born here Novem-
ber 80, 1890. He was educated at
Friends School, Western High School
and George Washington University and
his entire business career has been with
the Riggs National Bank, whose employ
he entered in 1907 as a messenger boy.
He was made assistant cashier in 1916.
cashier and secretary of the board in
1920. vice president and cashier in 1921,
first vice president in 1924 and presi-
dent in 1925. He has manifested great
interest in Washington'S financial and
civic problems and is frequently called
upon to head citizens committee to
promote movements for the common
good and to put over campaigns to raise
money for worthy causes.
Activities Outlined.
It was pointed out that man is best
estimated by what he does in and for
the community. He is director of the
Capital Transit Co, director of the
Washington Railway & Electric Co..
director of the Potomac Electric Power
Co, director of the Chesapeake &, Po-
tomac Telephone Co. director of the
Acacia Mutual Life Insurance Co. first
vice president and director of the Wash
ington Board of Trade, second vice
president of the American Banks ASSo-
citation, treasurer of the Chamber of
Commerce of the United States. treas
urer Of the National Symphony Orches-
ira Association, treasurer Of the Italy,
America Society of Washington. treas
urer and director of the Gorgas Memo
rial Institute. treasurer and life trustee
of the Corcoran Gallery of Art, life
trustee of the National Geographic So
ciety. trustee of the National Training
School for Boys, trustee of the George
Washington University and trustee and
air of 1oa if1yT
DR.. BiggS also cited the recognition
given Mr.. Fleming and George o. Vass
by the District Bankers Association for
their work during the banking holiday
The association. he said. adopted reso-
1utions of praise in which very great
obligation to Mr. Fleming was Speci-
fed The resolution thanked the bank
president for his hospitality to banking
institutions at his bank, for his cour-
ageous leadership, his sound judgment,
achievement and his able and con-
slant efforts"
In accepting the medal. Mr.. Fleming
sought to include in the scope of the
award "all those others" who rendered
service with him.
Praises Workers.
MAY I express my deep and sincere
appreciation of the high honor which
you are comforting upon me-" Mr..
Fleming said. In accepting this high
honor 1 do so with somewhat mixed
emotions. for, while I have endeavored
in every way within my power to
render assistance to my fellow citizens,
! feel I must. in fairness. consider my
self merely the representative OF all
those others who rendered such unself-
ish service during the great emergency
through which We have passed.
II wish it were possible for each
and every citizen of our community to
know of the unselfish service and self
sacrifice of the officers and employees
of the banks in this city during the
crisis last March and after the bank
holiday. From my personal observa-
ton I can testify that during this
crisis there was exhibited spirit to
work for the common good of all,
which was of tremendous help to those
charged with the responsibility of lead
ership during that period.
Il was fortunate in having been born
in Washington and having had the
opportunity of carving out a business
career in this community. While op-
portunities have come to me to go else
where. 1 have continued my career in
the city of my birth, and I am proud
of the fact the policy of the institution
with which I was fortunate enough to
make my first business contact. the
institution which I have served during
my entire business career and of which