Evening star., 1935-11-23
FLEMING UPHOLDS
BANKING ACT TO
BOARD OF TRADE
New A. B. A. Head Plans to
Aid in Telling Aims to
All Bankers.
MANY HIGH TRIBUTES
ARE PAID BY SPEAKERS
Eccles Says Association President
Is Man Best Able to Solve
Problems.


every effort would be made to "edu-
cate bankers in every community to
remove the mystery from banking"
Speaking at the Washington Board
Of Trade meeting at the Willard Ho-
tel, Fleming said the association would
seek to educate every banker in the
country as to what he can do under
the enlarged powers granted by the
new act" and to impress upon him
the necessity for carrying out the OBJ
jectiveS of this act and for making
plain to the public just what can be
done"
Fleming was guest OF honor at the
meeting, which was attended by more
than 1000 persons. Mariner S. Eccles,
chairman of the Board of Governors
of the Federal Reserve System, paid
personal tribute to Fleming as the man
who is best able at this time to over
come the difficulties in banking. Other
tributes were paid by Federal, Dis
trict and business officials. Commits
sioner Melvin C. Hazen referred to
him as ''the head of the most powerful
organization in the country, except the
Democratic party"
Fleming also was praised by several
speakers for his outstanding work as
president of the Washington Board Of
Trade, which position he held last
year.
Further Achievement Seen.
Eugene Meyer, former governor Of
the Federal Reserve Board and now
publisher of the Washington Post, said
Fleming has gone far and he will go
farther" He emphasized that asking
the cooperation of public-spirited men
and getting it is one of the most i'm
portant functions of a public Official"
Eccles' presence at the meeting was
q surprise, since he had indicated to
John Saul, president of the Board Of
Trade, that he would not be able to
attend. He had no prepared speech
and, when called on, spoke slowly and
deliberately, but with evident affec-
ton and admiration for Fleming.
I'VE will realize the Importance Of
the position Bob was recently elected
to when We realize that an organ
ization is no greater than its leader
ship" he said.
There is not in the whole banking
business man better qualified to
fill this position in this most impor-
tant period in our history.
The position requires a temperate
man; a man of intellectual integrity;
a man with practical and broad
knowledge Of banking; man with q
social point of view; man who Is
tolerant; q man who is cooperative
and a man who is sympathetic" He
added of Fleming that there are few
men who have impressed me so favor
ably"
Others Laud Fleming.
High tribute to Fleming for his
activities in District banking and civic
affairs was paid by Commissioner Ha-
zen, Saul, Charles H. Doing, presi-
dent of the District Bankers Asso-
citation; Frank J. Hogan, general
counsel for the District Bankers As
sociation; Harry j. Haas of Phila-
delphia, past president of the Amer
lean Bankers Association, and A. B.
Taylor. treasurer Of the American
Bankers Association.
Despite the break in relations be-
tween the administration and the
American Bankers Association on sew
eral major issues, Fleming opened his
talk with words of high praise for the
administration and Gov Eccles for
their fair and fine attitude that was
exhibited at all times in the discus
sions Of the last banking act" He
praised that act, which has been Bit
terly attacked in banking circles, and
said he intended to spread knowledge
among bankers OF the opportunities it
affords.
Others Attending.
Others attending the meeting who
were introduced by Saul included:
Corcoran Thorn, sr, president Of
the American Security & Trust Co.;
j. Frank Campbell, president of the
AnacoStia Bank; Maurice D. Rosen-
berg, president Of the Bank of Com
merce & Savings; Clarence F. Burton,
president of the City Bank of Wash
ington; James A Messer of the Column
bia National Bank; E. c. Graham,
Bank.
Floyd E. Davis, president of the Lin
coin National Bank; Lanier P. Nc
Lachlen, president of the McLachlen
Banking Corp; Willard G.. Barker,
executive vice president of the Morris
Plan Bank; C. H. Pope, executive vice
president of the Munsey Trust Co.;
Victor 3. Deyber, president of the Sec
ond National Bank; Francis g. Addi-
son, president of the Security Savings
81 Commercial Bank; Ord Preston,
president of the Union Trust Co.;
Harry G. Meem, president of the
Washington Loan & Trust Co. 4
Karl William Corby, vice president;
II. G. Hoskinson, secretary; Albert s.
Galley, treasurer, and Hogan, counsel,
all of the District Bankers Associa-
ton;
Lloyd B. Wilson, president of the
Chesapeake & Potomac Telephone
Co.; Dr.. William Mcclellan, president
Of the Potomac Electric Power Co.;
G. Powell Minnigerode, director OF the
Corcoran Gallery of Art; William
Montgomery, president of the Acacia
Mutual Life Insurance Co.: John
Oliver La Gorce, vice president Of
the National Geographic Society;
Clarence Phelps Dodge, president Of
the Community Chest. 8
The meeting was featured by the
awarding Of medals to three firemen
who had distinguished themselves for
bravery in action during the past year.
The awards were made by the special
committee on valor in the Police and
Fire Departments set up by Congress.
This committee is composed Of Brig.
Gen. John A. Johnston, q. s. Army,
retired, and former District Com
missioner, as chairman; Fleming,
Henry @. Stein, Chief Engineer
Charles Z. Schrom of the Fire De-
partment and Maj. Ernest w. Brown,
superintendent of police.
Pvt. Roger Gray, TIA Sixteenth