ADDRfiSS. 



By B. F. Harris, 

 Chairman of the Agricultural Commission of the American Bankers' Association, 



Champaign, 111. 



A little less than two years ago it was my privilege to address the 

 Pennsylvania Bankers at Bedford Springs, and it is, indeed, a pleasure 

 to be with you again. While there are four states represented at this 

 conference, I presume Pennsylvania predominates. 



There has been comparatively little trouble in getting the country 

 bankers to understand the importance of this movement for a better 

 agriculture and rural life, because the country banker is in direct and 

 almost constant touch and contact with the farmers and has become 

 interested in the work. 



The city banker has shown some sympathy, not expressed in any 

 concrete way, however, until Mr. Calwell and the Corn Exchange 

 National Bank called this conference. 



Some time after I addressed the 1912 Pennsylvania Bankers' Con- 

 vention on the subject of ^'The Banker and His Relation to the Public 

 Welfare," I was pleased to see the Logan Trust Company, of this city, 

 exhibit its interest by printing a large edition of that address and spread- 

 ing it broadcast, with the hope that it might prove of some practical 

 benefit. 



Too much cannot be said of President Calwell's effort, because the 

 Corn Exchange National Bank, over which he presides, is the first bank 

 in any large reserve city which has shown any active interest in this 

 movement. 



Speaking on behalf of the Agricultural Commission of the American 

 Bankers' Association and the Conference of the Agricultural Committees 

 of the thirty-seven Bankers' State Associations, I want to express their 

 high appreciation of the impetus this conference gives this movement. 



At the conference yesterday, a representative of the Girard Trust 

 Company of Philadelphia demonstrated that his company was trying 

 to be a real trustee in spirit and in fact, and more especially as to its 

 agricultural trusteeship. Trying to properly develop their farm properties, 

 trying in their capacity as trustee to build up the farms and rural condi- 

 tions as well. It is wonderfully encouraging to see such wholesome and 

 helpful work, and I am glad that Mr. Calwell was able to bring out that 

 feature of trust company service in this program. 



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