Evening star., 1937-09-23
neal ADDRESSES
RIGGS BANK STAFF
Banker and Advertising Ex.
pert Stresses Ways of
Gaining Good Will.
BY EDWARD c. STONE.

ABOUT oUU OFFICIALS ana OUfleI ein-
ployes from the main Office and the
branches of the Riggs National Bank
heard vigorous address last evening
on the value of closer public relations
by William H. Neal, vice president
of the Wachovia National Bank e.
Trust Co. of Winston-Salem. N. c.,
who has Just been elected president
of the. Financial Advertisers Asso-
ciation. The meeting was at the
Wardman Park Hotel.
George o. Vass. vice president and
cashier, called the staff gathering to
order and introduced the presiding
officer, George Dagenais, newly elect
ed chairman of the Customers Rela-
tions Council, which was organized at
the bank two or three years ago.
In addition to the guest speaker,
President Robert v. Fleming made
timely remarks in the way of greet
ings.
Mr. Neal spoke on the "Interpreta-
ton of Banking" He stressed inter-
probation Of banking to the public,
especially by banking employees. They
are in position to be of unlimited
value to their institutions partially be-
cause there are so many more gen.
eral employees than officers.
Employees should have as much in
formation as possible about every de-
partment of their banks, methods of
operation and the reasons back of
banking practices. Many employees in
bookkeeping and similar departments
have no contacts with the outside pub
lie while on duty. Outside, they have
a host of friends. These associates
look to them as bankers and as in
terpreters of banking.
If employees fail to sell their banks
to their friends. these prospective cli-
ents may feel that the banks are
only ordinary institutions. If the en-
ployes keep fully informed on bank
ing subjects and progress, they can
render wonderful service and always
be in line for steady advancement,
Mr.. Neal declared.
Cost Experts Hear Miller.
Nelson A. Miller, assistant chief of
the marketing research division, Bu-
reau of Foreign and Domestic Com
merce, at the opening Fall session of
Washington Chapter, National As
sociation of Cost Accountants, last
night at the Hamilton Hotel said
that the majority of small stores in
the country, although they have need
for the benefits of up-to-date cost
accounting control, are not in a posi-
tion to take advantage of scientific
cost-control methods.
Mr.. Miller stated that the small
retailers who can recognize the bene-
fits to be derived from proper ac-
counting control and up-to-date mer-
chandising records and methods are
exceptions, and that the small deal
ers who need most attention are often
. those who are the least likely pros
poets for the cost accountant.
He stated that the more progressive
merchants who are doing a good job
OF retailing in their respective classi-
flcations are the ones most likely to
be receptive to up-to-date methods in
not only account procedure but in
all phases of merchandising.
Mr. Miller was assisted in his dis
course by w. H Meserole of the
same division of the Department of
Commerce.
The subject developed at the meet
ing dealt with the practical appli-
cation of scientific costing methods
developed for the use of druggists in
the st. Louis Drug Survey.
Banking for Women Is Uurged.
Mrs. Stella Akin, special assistant
to the Attorney General of the United
States, lauded banking as a career
for women in an address before more
than 100 women connected with
Washington banks at the Mayflower
Hotel last night. The occasion was
the annual dinner of the Women's
Committee of Washington Chapter,
American Institute of Banking.
OF all the professions more en-
couragement is given women in
banking than in any other, said Miss
Akin. Since this is true, there are
splendid opportunities for women en-
tering the banking field, the speaker
added And those who do become
proficient in banking can do a great
deal for other women along the lines
OF financial guidance, she said
Miss Akin stated that women with
legal minds have extra good oppor-
tunities for advancement in trust
departments. Bank officials every-
where are giving them a chance and
finding their work of great value to
the banks, she continued, concluding
by calling attention to the training
courses offered by the Institute of
Banking and the Importance of tech
nical knowledge as the only road to
success.
Mrs. Myrtle P. Lewis, Liberty Ma
tional Bank, chairman of the Wom-
ems Committee of Washington Chap
ter, presided. Other speakers in
cluded Thomas j. Groom, heac of the
District Bankers Association; Dean
Raymond B. Dickey, institute faculty;
w, H. Laughlin, chapter president,
and Paul j. Seltzer, Educational Com
mittee chairman.
Heard in Financial District.
Declaration of 50-cent dividends on
both the Glass A and Glass B stocks
OF the Emerson Drug Co., just an
nounced, is of special interest to
Washington where the issues are
widely held. The Glass A stock was
formerly listed on the Washington
Exchange. The dividends will be
paid October /.
Announcement of q 75-cent divi-
dend by the directors Of the Carpel
Corp. brings the amount paid or
this stock 30 far this year up te
$2.25 a share. The company's policy
Is to make quarterly payments a.
justified by earnings, rather thar
any regular amount. The 75-cen,
dividend will be paid September 80
The Safe Deposit Section of thu
district Rankarc' Association will bo1/