Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1936-05-06

ohafeS H. D''ns of the Washing
ton oLan & Trust Co., called the meet
ing to order, announcing at the start
that there would be no formal
speeches.
He said, however, that he felt the
bankers should hear at least a few
words from some of the most dis
tinguished and then called for brief
remarks from Mariner S. Eccles,
chairman of the board of governors
of the Federal Reserve System, Robert
V. Fleming, president of the American
Bankers Association and the Riggs
National Bank, ard j. F. T. O'Connor,
controller of the currency. Their
responses were greeted with vigorous
applause.
Many Guests introduced.
Many other guests were also intro
duced, including Commissioner Melvin
c. Hazen and H. H. Mckee, chairman
of the Washington Clearing House
Association and president of the Ma
tional Capital Bank Among others
were James B. Alley, general counsel,
r. F. c.; Judge L. E. Birdzell, general
counsel, F. D. I. c.; Aubrey Carter
national bank examiner in charge OF
trust examinations; I. I. Chorpening,
chief national bank examiner in the
fifth reserve district; Lawrence Clay
ton. assistant to Reserve Board chair
man: Leo T Crowley, chairman of the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corp, and
William P. Folger, chief national bank
examiner.
William H. Donavan, assistant
counsel of the District Bankers As
ISOLATION, was also among the guests
others including E. H. Cough, deputy
controller, Treasury Department;
Gibbs Lyon, deputyc ontroller. Treasury
Department; w. H. Moran, chief,
United States Secret Service; John K.
Mckee, Reserve Board governor;
Chester Morrill,, Reserve Board secre-
tary; Edgar E. Mountjoy, secretary,
National Bank Division, A. B. A; D.
j. Needham, general counsel, A B A:
Carl E Parry, chief, division of security
loans, Federal Reserve Board; Leo H
Paulger, chief, division of examina-
tons, Federal Reserve Board; Arthur
B. Shelton, clerk, United States Court
Customs and Patent Appeals; M. S.
Szymczak, Reserve Board governor;
Elliott Thurston, Reserve Board assist
ant, and Walter w. Wyatt, Federal
Reserve Board counsel.
Eccles Praises A. B. A. Chief.
During his brief remarks Chairman
Eccles of the Federal Reserve Board
paid a glowing tribute to Robert V.
Fleming and the work he is doing as
head of the American Bankers As
ISOLATION. He is rendering brilliant
Service to the bankers of Washington
and all the rest of the country and
has displayed rare spirit OF help
fulness in his relations with the Fed
eral Reserve Board. Keen, broad
minded and alert, he has accom-
plished a great deal for banking in
these difficult times, said Chairman
Eccles.
The speaker added that the Fed
eral Reserve Board is always ready
to listen to the views of bankers on
their problems. The members are
men of very wide business experience
and knowledge of banking. While
the board does not always agree with
the bankers, the bankers do not al
ways agree among themselves as to
the best methods of solving some of
the new and difficult issues confront
ing the Nation. The boards first
duty is to serve the public. Gov. Ec-
Giles said.
Fleming Lauds U. S. Agencies.
In replying to Chairman Eccles'
complimentary remarks, Mr.. Fleming
said he believed there had ever been
a time when there had been such a
cordial and workable relationship be-
tween the bankers of the country and
the Government agencies in charge
of financial matters. He said as head
of the A. B. A., it had been his aim
and that of the association not to
criticize and tear down, but to offer
the soundest and most practical sug-
gestions that men actually engaged in
the banking business can work out.
They have tried in every way to be
helpful and the present improved
banking situation shows what has been
accomplished. He sees better and bet
ter days for banking as recovery pro-
crosses.
MIR. Fleming summed up briefly the
efforts of the A. B. A. to bring bank
ing closer to the public, reported on
the success of the recent conferences
and said his administration had in
sisted on keeping out of politics
Banking Is matter OF business and
economics and should be considered
as SUCH" he asserted.
Controller O'Connor made q very
witty speech and closed by referring
to the suggested rules for better bank
ing which emanated from his Office
The rules contained the views Of
many of the best banking minds in
the country. he said. In substance
they call for more intelligent bankers
and better bark management.
Former Presidents Attend.
James B. Edmonds, c. & o. pas
senger agent; r. H. Dalgleish, presi-
den OF the Columbia Country Club,
and j. Earle McGeary, president of
Washington Chapter, American Insti-
tute of Banking, were also present by
invitation. Thomas w. Brahany,
manager of the Washington office OF
E. A. Pierce & Co., took charge OF the
entertainment program.
Ten former presidents of the District
Bankers Association were present as
was an unusually large number OF
bank directors. Much credit for the
success of the dinner was given to
Hilleary G. Hoskinson, chairman OF
the Committee of Arrangements.
G. Stanley Holland, sports chair
man, announced that Osmund l..
Varella, National Savings & Trust Co.,
won the Robert v. Fleming Cup in
the afternoon tournament. Other
prize winners were L. p, McLachlen,