Evening star., 1934-10-20


efforts to bring
q record attendance to Washington.
Among the arrivals is Gurden Ed
wards, the national associations vet
eran director of publicity. Press head
quarters were opened today at the
Willard Hotel under Mr.. Edwards
guidance and a very large staff is
ready to tell the public what action
is taken by the association on the
Nations most vital banking and eco
nomic problems.
Vital Topics on Program.
The program shows that the aSSo-
citation will tackle such problems as
the proposed Central Bank, hold
special discussions on ways to improve
customer relations, consider the fur
ther perfection and adoption OF
permanent service charges, review
national and State banking legiSla-
ton, and give bank management
further intense study. Hosts of other
timely subjects are to be studied In
conferences and committee meetings.
One of the big aims of the convention
will be to devise means OF cooper
ating with the Government in further
ing recovery.
The association has maintained a
Washington Office for years which
handles economic and banking matters
which come up from time to time and
involve contact with Federal Gov
eminent departments. The National
Bank Division, on account of its special
interest in commercial banking, is
particularly concerned with the work
of this office. Edgar E. Mountjoy has
been manager of the Washington office
for a long time and is very widely
known personally among A. B. A.
members. He has attended every con-
vention since he took charge of the
Office here.
Busiest Man in Capital.
Fred N. Shepherd, executive mana
ger of the A. B. A, holds an office
that represents the continuing ad-
minstrative direction of the organi-
cation. Mr.. Shepherd, who was one
of the busiest men in town today, was
born in Ottumwa, Iowa, in 1878, and
was a very active banker until he
became connected with the A. B. A.
in 1921 as member of the organi-
cations Agricultural Commission.
At the outbreak of the World War
he was field manager of the United
States Chamber of Commerce with
his headquarters here, remaining in
that activity until 1922, when he took
his present position. He is a graduate
of Park college, which later conferred
an LID. degree.
1t was stated today that the A. B. A.
comprises a membership Of about
$4,000 banks in all parts Of the
United States and its possessions,
representing estimated banking capi-
tai and surplus of over 512 billion
dollars and aggregate assets of more
than 46 billion dollars.
Tomorrow will be spent by the
advance delegates in sightseeing and
the holding of several important COM
mittee meetings. The convention will
really get under way Monday morning
at Gas at the National Theater,
when President Francis M. Law will
make his annual address and other
speakers will be Robert M. Hanes,
Winston-Salem, N. c.; John G.
Brown, Helena, Mont, and Clinton
B. AFFORD, New York City.
Information Desks Open.
Information desks for accommoda-
ton of visitors are being opened in
the Hobbies at the Willard. Carlton,
Mayf1ower, Raleigh and Washington
hotels. T. Hunton Leith, assistant
cashier of the Security Savings & Com
mercial Bank, who had charge of the
similar relations during the convention
of the American Institute of Banking,
has been asked to select the personnel
for these booths. Norman E. TowSen,
treasurer of the Washington Loan e.
Trust Co., also is in charge of special
assignment relative to the informa-
ton service.
Members of the National Association
of Bank Women also were arriving in
town today for their annual conven-
ton on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
and Thursday. Their headquarters
will be at the May1ower, where all
but cne of the important sessions will
be held. Their program includes ad-
dresses by Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt
and Secretary of Labor Frances Per-
kins.
The auditors and controllers also
are ready to open their national con-
vention at the Wardman Park Hotel
here Monday.