THE CHICAGO BANKER
( Department of Chicago Banker )
August I, 1908]
An Open Forum Dedicated to the Associated Chapters A. I. of B. in Which to Advance the Great Movement for Independent Action and Universal Membership
Associated Chapters Hear Secretary Farnsworth
the solution of the problems in your own hands. If you will take advantage of your opportunities in this institute work you will have the necessary qualifications to rise in your chosen profession. Be alert, be mindful always of the wishes and desires of your superior officers and the interests of the bank you represent. Spend your time as carefully as you do your money, for a young man’s capital is his time. Don’t be too modest, be aggressive. Don’t wait for opportunities, make them.
I quote from the immortal Lincoln, a letter written by him in 1848:
“'As to the young men—you must not wait to be brought forward by the other men. For instance, do you suppose that I should ever have got into notice if I had waited to be hunted up and pushed forward by other men? You young men get together, form a 'Rough and Ready,’ club and have regular meetings and speeches.”
While in common with the bankers of the country I had a general knowledge of the work of the Institute, it was not until last August, when I attended the annual meeting of the chapters, held in Detroit, that I fully realized your importance.
As a member of the executive council of the American Bankers Association, having a vote in the annual appropriation, I felt it my duty to attend the sessions in Detroit. I never saw a finer body of young men than those who were in evidence on that occasion, young men of ability, young men who seemed to understand what they were there for, most gentlemanly and courteous in their demeanor, and the social sessions marked by behavior beyond reproach. This of course is as it should be, and yet, conventions are not always marked by these characteristics.
The business sessions were handled with the precision and exactness of veterans, and I am firmly of the opinion that some of our older organizations might profit by the interest and enthusiasm shown at these sessions of the juniors.
As a marked example of the earnestness of the boys I might cite the incident of the midnight session, familiar to many of you, when, after the boat ride, which lasted till half past eleven o’clock at night, you returned to the hotel and at half an hour after midnight held a business session, and discussed your new constitution. I do not know of a parallel case.
Much has been said since the Detroit convention regarding politics. W ithout politics you would be a dead organization. If your offices go begging, and there is no competition for them, your chapters would soon deteriorate. Eliminate “pin-head" politics and combinations, but good healthy rivalry for office will keep up your enthusiasm and bind you closer together.
To those of you who have graduated and form the “Old Guard” I do not believe it is necessary for me to say “stand by the boys.” You are in evidence. As you grow older, and acquire increased dignity by your exalted position. do not forget that the boys are always glad to see you. That you will always be welcome and that your presence is an incentive
The ¿enial A. B. A. official tells the Juniors at Providence how ¿reat they have ¿rown
school and other features which go to make up the whole.
I congratulate you to-day on the gratifying results of your eight short years, and predict for your future continued success and prosperity along every line of your important work.
The bank clerk of to-day, the one that will take advantage of the Institute, is fortunate
D. C. Wills, Cashier Diamond National, Pittsburgh, elected at Providence convention to the Executive Council of the A. I. B.
in having the opportunities offered by your broad and comprehensive plan.
In the natural course of events the bank clerk of the present will be the banker of the future, and the training he is getting in your conventions, in your chapter meetings, your debates, your reading circles, your correspondence school, and even in your entertainments, is fitting him for a position, that for usefulness and for equipment will far exceed those who have passed before him. He will make a man among men. He will be broad, courteous, agreeable, all important qualifications of the present modern bank official.
You have already made a record, many of your early members have graduated, and^ are holding positions of trust, eminently qualified for the confidence reposed in them, and this list comprises all grades, from assistant cashiers to presidents.
As to your future success individually, much depends on your own efforts. You hold
The American Bankers Association extends most hearty greetings to its lusty, energetic, and progressive progeny, The American Institute of Banking, and it gives me very much pleasure to attend this, your sixth convention, in an official capacity, bringing with me the best wishes of the parent organization, and its membership of ten thousand.
I look uoon your Institute, and its associate chapters, as one of the most valuable and important adjuncts of our association. Your growth and progress has been marvelous. We can scarcely realize that less than eight years ago the initial movement found its inception in Richmond, in the recommendation of the committee on education of the American Bankers Association.
Up to that time a few of the larger banks of the metropolitan cities had formulated a plan for the education of its bank clerks within its own range. A series of practical questions were propounded, and study of technical bank terms, customs, and subjects was encouraged, and on the proficiency shown at examinations in these matters, promotions were made.
The pioneer, however, in a bank clerks association, for mutual benefit in the study of banks and banking and methods, was Minneapolis, where, a year prior to the action in Richmond, a movement was inaugurated to that end, with our friend and co-worker, and able banker, Joseph Chapman, as its first president.
The committee on education of the American Bankers Association, of which W. C. Cornwell, then of Buffalo, was its able chaii-man, received manv requests and petitions from all parts of the country, to establish an Institute, along the lines of the Bankers Institute of England.
The following extract from the report was the most convincing argument in favor of the movement :
“As never before there is required in every branch of business the most thorough training, scientific and technical, for the attainment of success under the intense competition that prevails.
“In no business is this truer, perhaps, than in the business of banking in this country, a country which is reaching out through its tremendous export increase for the business of the world.
“There is abundant evidence that the young men who are doing the clerical work in banks in the United States are anxious to avail themselves of any and all knowledge and training which will help them to do their work better and more intelligently.”
The report of the committee and also the report of A. O. Kittridge of New York, both outlining a plan for the Institute, were adopted by the Richmond convention, and it is a noticeable fact that the action and recommendations of eight years ago have been carried out very fully in your present organization.
The most sanguine expectations of the founders have been more than realized in your magnificent association with its Q,ooo members, 43 chapters, Bulletin, correspondence