Click image to open full size in new tab
Article Text
Hundreds in Kansas Hold Responsible Positions.
Wrecking of Abilene Institution Has Brought Attention.
# MISS SPECK HAS SAY.
Declares Defalcations of Her Sex Are Unknown.
Avers They Not Only Are Careful, But Conservative.
Since the wrecking of the Abilene State bank by Cashier Flack, attention has been called to the fact that if women had had anything to do with its accounting and management it would have been impossible for any man to cloud and cover up the records and "get away" with it. That is the opinion of Miss Anna Speck of the state bank commissioner's office, whose work is to inspect the reports of the bank examiners and tell the bankers what ails their institutions. Miss Speck probably knows more about the condition of the banks of Kansas than any other person in the state, and she does not hesitate to say that where women are employed in banks there is little danger of a bank wrecking by a designing cashier.
The truth is that no woman connected with a bank or an office where public money is handled has ever been known to go wrong. That is the record in this state, and Miss Speck says it speaks volumes for the honesty and integrity of women. "The advance made by women in the banking business, especially in the last five years, is remarkable," she said.
"They are now filling positions of responsibility and their keen insight into things, their ability to read people and their absolute honesty have made them invaluable in banking circles. Reports which reach my desk show that any bank whose affairs are managed by a woman is in splendid condition. The banking room, the desk and the entire surroundings of one of these institutions where a woman works always present a neat appearance. The books are in balance, the legal reserve is intact, overdrafts are few, the paper is clean and well secured and the general affairs of the bank are in every way above criticism.
Careful and Conservative.
"The women connected with Kansas banks are careful and conservative and possess rare judgment, especially as to loans. They bring good returns to their stockholders. Never in the state's history has a woman banker betrayed her trust, nor has a depositor ever lost a penny through any dishonesty or mismanagement on her part. I think this is the greatest tribute I can pay to the women connected with the financial institutions of Kansas."
One of the strongest banks in Kansas is conducted by a woman. Five years ago Mrs. S. Alice Halderman inherited a private bank at Girard on the death of her husband. She immediately incorporated it and became its president. She has managed it ever since, and it is making a handsome return for its stockholders
Mrs. Margaret Kane of Bucklin, as cashier and active manager of her bank, was able last year to pay her stockholders a dividend of 90 per cent. Mrs. Kane is one of the active business women of southwestern Kansas.
At the little town of Pretty Prairie, in Reno county, Mrs. Ella Demoret ran a bank for many years and paid big dividends. She now draws a good salary simply for passing on farm loans. Mrs. Demoret is employed by her brothers, who own the bank in which she works.
If you step into the State bank of Langford, in Geary county, you wiil find Miss Isabella Marty in charge. Some years ago her father, who owned the bank, died. Miss Marty, who had been connected with the institution as a helper, took up the thread of the work and is regarded as one of the most efficient bankers of that section of the state. She knows all about loans and discounts, and is watchful as to the interest account.
Mrs. Mary E. Cotton is president of a bank at Sabetha, and while she permits subordinates to run it, she keeps in close touch and scrutinizes the loans frequently. Miss Clara M. Hullett is the active manager of a bank at Rusin Center. Scores of women in Kansas are members of bank directories, and the reports filed with Miss Speck in the department here show that they are always present at the meetings of the directors.
Hundreds of Women Employed.
The list of women who are employed in Kansas banks is large, probably reaching into the hundreds. These young women are trained in this finan-c'al school for the practical business affairs of life, and as wives they find the knowledge gained very useful. Among the active women bankers, including cashiers, assistants, accountants and clerks, are the following:
Miss Emma Courtney, assistant cashier Grinnell State bank: Mrs. J. W. Chenoweth. assistant cashier Bank of McCracken; Miss Nannie Goyette, cashier Bank of Elsmore; Miss Myrle Eastwood, assistant cashier Gas City State pank; Miss Lois Wilson, assistant cash-tar LaHarpe State bank: Miss Grace McKitrick, cashier Colony State bank; Mrs. Esther Huffman, cashier Hepler State bank; Miss Anna L. Baty, assistant cashier Condon bank, Oswego; Miss Nan Trinder, cashier Peoples' bank. Cherryvale; Miss Mary E. Cotton, president Citizens' bank. Sabetha; Miss Nora Kreamer, assistant cashier Colony State bank: Mrs. Esther M. Chatterton, assistant cashier State Bank of Admire; Pearl Mathews, assistant cashier First National bank. Logan; Irene Walker, assistant cashier First National bank. Moline: Myrtle Chaffins, assistant cashier Moline bank; Cora Gardner, assistant cashier Citizens' National bank, Ness City; Bessie V. Webb, assistant cashier, First National bank. Nortonville Mrs. F. P. Acten, assistant cashier First National bank. Wetmore; Miss Edna Withrow, assistant cashier First National bank, Conway Springs; Mrs. Mary Sample, cashier Savings bank of Wichita; Miss Jessie Hinds, cashier Turon bank: Miss Anna G. Goodrich. assistant cashier Valley Falls bank; Mrs. A. M. Tomlinson president Brookville State bank; Miss Talmadge; Mrs. C. E. Rhodes, assist-Halmadge; Mrs. C. E. Rhodes, assistant cashier Elmo State bank; Mrs. Grace Taft, cashier Taft State bank. Hanover; Nellie Reimers, cashier Thomas County bank, Colby: Margaret
