Evening star., 1938-05-22
GR|SWOLD T0HEAD
INSURANCE MEN
FOR COMING YEAR
Former Treasurer of Group
Elected to Succeed Paul
H, Primm.
O'DONNELL AND WILSON
NAMED VICE PRESIDENTS
Capital Retail Volumes Decline
Is Per Cent Below Previous
Week and Year Ago.
BY EDWARD C. STONE.


Richard w. Griswold, manager OF
the Washington Office of the Guardian
Life Insurance Co, has been elected
president of the District of Columbia
Life Underwriters Association for the
coming year, it was announced yes
terday. He succeeds Paul H. Primm,
Other officers chosen were Charles
w. ODonnell first vice president;
Graham E. Wilson, second vice presi-
dent; Theodore w. Cook. treasurer,
and A. H. Jackson, secretary. The
officers were elected by the associa-
tion's board of directors.
Mr.. Griswold. president ELECT, is q
graduate of Yale and University of
Montpelier in France and has been
in charge of the companys Office here
since 1885. Before coming to the
Capital. he was assistant superintend-
ent of agencies.
He is former treasurer of the Dis
trict association and has served on
many important committees. also a
member of the University, Yale, Eliza
bethan and Potomac Appalachian
Trail Clubs, Beta Theta Pi Fraternity
and the D. c. Chapter OF Chartered
Life Underwriters.
Charles w. ODonnell, first vice
president. is general agent of the Min
nesota Mutual Life Insurance Co. He
is former treasurer and chairman
Of the Membership Committee of the
local association and has held other
committee assignments. Mr.. O'Don-
nell was born in Washington, at
tended Central High School and
George Washington University.
Graham E. Wilson, second vice
president, is connected with the
Massachusetts, Mutual Life Insurance
Co. He has been the company's
army and navy representative for the
past 10 years and is member of the
Life Insurance Club. having been
president OF that organization during
the past year.
Theodore w, Cook, treasurer, is
general agent of the National Life In
surance Co. Of Vermont, and A. H.
jackson, now secretary, is connected
with the Northwestern Mutual Life
: Insurance Co.
ID. c. Retail Sales Slump.
Retail sales in the majority of
Washington's department stores dur
ing the past week registered decreases
Of about IS per cent from the pre-
vious week and were also Is per cent
lower than in the corresponding week
year ago, the Commerce Depart
ment noted yesterday in the weekly
review. One store reported So per
cent increase over the previous week
and business equal to the comparable
week last year. The declines were
attributed chiefly to the cold rainy
weather prevailing in most of the
period under review.
Washington bank clearings for the
week totaled $23,550,660, against the
higher figure of $4,000 ,2O3 last year.
Building permits we're better, the
total Of $368,450 being almost up to
$375,650 a year ago. There was an
increase in the number of visitors
in the Capital, according to reports
4AoAA Vic 0llllClLOO1lldll
1925. comparing with 45.721 in the
previous week and only 42,l3l in the
same week in 1887.
Rainy weather, with temperatures
well below normal for this season of
the year. retarded retail trade in the
rest Of the Fifth District. All cities
reported decreases from the previous
year and previous week, with the ex-
ception of Charleston. S. c. Balti-
more reported improvement in whole
sale trade, the Commerce statement
said.
Tribute by Stock Exchange.
Business on the Washington Stock
Exchange yesterday was confined to
American Security & Trust Co. stock
which changed hands at 247, the same
price at which several sales were made
on Friday. Quotations on other issues
were firm at the week end.
The exchange adjourned out of
respect to the memory of William W.
6paid. vice president of the organiza-
tion. who died suddenly in New York
early yesterday. He often served the
exchange as member of the Board
Of Governors. and years ago was urged
for the presidency of the organization.
For long time he was one of the
most regular attendants at the daily
sessions. His service to the exchange
will not soon be forgotten.
Bank Resolution Approved.
The Senate Banking and Currency
Committee has approved the joint
resolution making permanent the
powers Of the Federal Deposit Insur-
ance Corp. to merge banks and pur-
chase securities of banks in a program
designed to strengthen the banking
structure. Under existing law the
corporations power in this respect
expires in July.
The committee also approved the
Bankhead proposal extending for
another year the emergency 81 per
cent interest rate on Land Bank Com
missioner and Federal Land Bank
loans to farmers.
Building Association Expands.
President Robert E. Buckley, of the