December 25, rpop] THE CHICAGO BANKER 17 CHAPTEM1IC011 (Department of Chicago Banker) An Open Forum Dedicated to the American Institute of Banking in Which to Advance the Great Movement for Systematic Education and Universal Membership the next institute convention viz.: “Agriculture,” “immigration,” “the tariff,” “guaranty of deposits” and “trusts or combinations in business.” This will undoubtedly be the means of developing some good talent for the contest. The classes in commercial law and banking and finance conducted by J. I. Ennis, LL. B., and Prof. Kennedy are enthusiastically attended and a large number of “A-i.” bankers in the near future is assured. The dances given by the chapter have been well attended and greatly enjoyed and appreciated by those attending same. The next dance will be held January 6, 1910. A bowling league has been formed composed of teams from eight of our large financial institutions and great enthusiasm has been aroused to this ever enjoyable pastime. V Cincinnati Chapter The Cincinnati Chapter held its regular monthly meeting at the chapter rooms in the Atlas National Bank Building, Thursday, December 16th. Constant Southworth, one of our prominent attorneys, gave a most instructive talk on “Guaranty and Suretyship.” Mr. Southworth is thoroughly familiar with this subject, having lectured extensively on it to various law student bodies of this city. This subject, usually a dry one, was, owing to Mr. Southworth’s handling, converted into an interesting talk. John F. Speer, of Indianapolis, editor of “Bank Notes,” one of the leading financial publications, delivered a fine talk on the “Personality of Bank Advertising.” Let it be said right here that Mr. Speer is a live wire and the sparks of keen thought were frequent in his speech. It is no longer considered undignified for a bank to advertise and as Mr. Speer said, it is just as reasonable for a bank to go in the market and offer its com-(Continued on page 28) Chapter Debate St. Louis Chapter, American Institute of Banking, arranged a joint debate, intended to convey knowledge of practical value to the members, which was held at its meeting at the Central Y. M. C. A. building Tuesday evening, on the subject, “Resolved, That national banks should be permitted to issue notes based on their general assets.” H. E. Dietrich and R. R. Sleeper argued for the affirmative and Franklin L. Johnson and George Berger for the negative. ^ Chicago Chapter On December 14th, Colonel P. E. Holp, gave a lecture, with stereopticon views on the subject of “Irrigated Lands of Sacramento Valley.” Col. Holp has made a two years’ study of this subject and showed the wonderful development which has been achieved in the West through irrigation. Think of it, ordinary field crops twice a year, alfalfa cut six times a season, producing from 8 to 15 tons per acre, orange groves providing a yield as high as $1,000 per acre, and everything else in proportion. This lecture in conjunction with the national irrigation or popularly called “land show” recently held in Chicago will undoubtedly lead to an exodus of bank employees in the spring. “Back to the soil” and the “call of the West” with the prospects of freedom, health and independence are strong inducements, and it behooves the bankers of our cities to “sit up and take notice” and prepare for the future. At the quarterly meeting of the Debating Society, H. W. Bohn of the Merchants Loan & Trust Company was elected president, and W. H. Dorn of the Commercial National, secretary for the ensuing term. The subject selected for “hat talks” will be the ones selected for the prize contest instituted by Mr. Chapman to be competed for at Tacoma Chapter By far the most successful meeting of the year, both from a social as well as an educational standpoint, was held on the evening of the ninth at the Commercial Club. C. A. Brower tendered his resignation as president of the chapter. Mr. Brower has resigned as assistant cashier of the National Bank of Commerce to become vice-president of the Puget Sound Savings Bank, thus forcing the chapter to accept his resignation, much to the regret of all the members. Mr. Brower has worked hard, along broad lines, bringing the chapter through many hard struggles but always with success smiling upon his labors. Under his able leadership the chapter has become a social factor with Tacoma bank men and is starting educational work in a most promising manner, aided by many of the city’s best attorneys. The Puget Sound Savings Bank is most fortunate in securing Mr. Brower and should now take its right place amongst the savings banks of the Sound country. After finishing the business of the evening the meeting was turned over to P. C. Kauffman and Louis W. Pratt. Mr. Kauffman gave a very interesting talk on the relationship of the American Bankers Association and the institute, at the conclusion of which he took the opportunity of thanking Tacoma Chapter, on behalf of the officials of the Tacoma banks, for the manner in which the local chapter handled the debate at Seattle. Mr. Pratt, the principal speaker of the evening discussed “city development.” Proud of Tacoma’s rapid advance and many commercial achievements, yet realizing her shortcomings and their remedies, Mr. Pratt swung his audience along in a manner typical of the great booster he is. At the close of Mr. Pratt’s talk his hearers were directed to the club dining room where a very dainty repast had been prepared. 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