Evening star., 1940-12-30

James A. Messer. eriCk D. Watson
as president
Nr. Messer. who is vice president
and A director Of the Columbia Ma
tional Bank, will continue his con-
nection with the bank At ore
time he was president of the Co.
lumbia National, resigning the posi-
ton on account of pressure of other
business affairs. Later elected vice
president, Mr.. MeSser has always
maintained a very lively and valued
interest in the banks progress. The
present head OF the bank is Frank
J. STRIKER.
Mr.. MeSser, who is now 68 years
of age and feels that he is entitled
to A rest from business responsible
itv. has had a brilliant and fascinat-
ing career. Born in 1872 III a little
village in Scotland, his parents
moved TO Canada when he was 4
years old. He obtained his early
education in Toronto.
First JOB Paid 50 a Week.
At the age of "A he left school
and went into the Office Of the
Toronto Mail a. the weekly wage OF
So. He spent his spare time study
ing bookkeeping and in the fall OF
1893 came to Washington, his FIST
position being with a plumbing firm.
Mitchell & Reed. In 1917 Mr.. Messcr
bought out the business and es-
tabHshed Ii under his own name
Mr.. MoSSer is a member of the
Washington Board Of Trade United
States Chamber of Commerce. fOc-
mer president Of the Eastern Supply
Association and has served on sFv-
eral Commerce Department COM
mittces interested in the heating
industry.
Mr.. Messer is a thirty-second de-
gree Mason. member OF Temple
Moves Lodge, Almas Temple and
other orders, as well as of the Royal
Order Of Scotland For several
years he was an elder and trustee
in the lexington Presbyterian
Church and for years was vice
president of the Board of Deacols
Of the Central Presbyterian Church,
which was attended by the late
President Wilson. His friends in
the financial district Will be pleased
that he is to remain in close touch
with banking.
Baltz Made Vice Chairman.
The Federal Home Loan Bank
Board announced today that Ec-
ward c. Baltz. secretary OF tie
Perpetual Building Association, WHO
is q director in Federal Home Loan
Bank of winston Salem. has been
appointed vice chairman for the
year 1941. The chairman will be
named shortly.
The designation of Chairmen ard
vice chairmen and the appointment
OF number of public interest di-
rectors Of the various Federal Home
loan Banks were announced today
by officials of the Federal Home
Loan Bank Board. Terms of the
chairmen and vice Chairmen are
for the calendar year 1871 or until
their successors are designated and
qualified
Each of the 12 Federal Home Loan
Banks has u directors, eight select
ed by vote of the member institu-
tons and four named by the board
here TO represent the public interest.
Rising Stock Trend Forecast
The annual review of the National
Securities & Research Corp, be-
ing distributed in the financial dis
trict by SiauSon, White & Rove,
says Of the stock market outlook:
The extreme uncertainties that
prevail are inimical to the develop
ment Of powerful bull market and
SetbackS TO the British in the war
or entry into war by the United
States could produce sharp reac-
tions. The present apparently con-
servative level of prices should be
a supporting factor. The most
probable course of stock prices for
194l appears to be an irregular but
mildly rising trend, with hesitancy
and setbaCkS-SOme possibly severe.
The trend of commodity prices
Is up. but no more than a moderate
rise is in prospect, as controls will
undoubtedly be invoked if the ad-
vance becomes to steep. There is
little probability that infationary
forces will get out of hand within
a year, though they may do so
eventually. No change in the gold
value of the dollar is likely"
Nolan Leaves Brokerage Firm.
NJ. Parker Nolan. who has been
connected with the Washington
office of MaCkubin, Legg & Co. New
York Stock Exchange firm in the
Woodward Building, for the past
five years, gives up his position
tomorrow to become vice president
of the Ralph j. Moore Coal Co.
which was established in 1923. it
was learned in the financial district
today.
Mr.. Nolan has been active in the
investment business since 1926 and
was formerly connected with the
investing banking firm Of f. H Rol-
Inns & Sons. He is a lifelong resi-
dent of Washington, member of the
Congressional Country Club and the
Washington Bond Club.
Heard in Financial District.
President Roosevelt'S speech fur
nished the chief topic of conversa-
ton in Washington brokerage of
fees today Market followers were
much pleased with the favorable
reaction shown by the New York
Stock Exchange at the opening
Little or no attention was paid today
to tax selling
President P. d, Houston of the
American Bankers Association has
added Harris c. Kirk and George
S. Eccles, Utah bankers, to the
National Defense Loans Committee,
making II members.
Five shares Of Washington Loan
& Trust Co. stock sold at 233 on the
Washington Exchange today, un-
changed. Capital Traction IS opened
with 81 900 and $4,000 sales at 104l2
up half point from the last trans