There  is  another  matter  I  wish  to  speak  of  very  briefly.  It  is
a  question  I  know  you  all  take  a  deep  interest  in.  I  refer  to  the
subject  of  Vested  Interests.  Some  strange  doctrines  have  recently
taken  possession  of  the  minds  of  many  people  on  this  subject.  It
is  a  phase  of  the  war  excitement.  I  am  enthusiastic  on  the  subject
of  fair  play  towards  Vested  Interests.  You  and  I,  gentlemen,  as
bankers,  and  Bank  shareholders,  are  the  natural  guardians  of  Vested
Interests.  We  must  argue  against  and  oppose  the  mischievous
propaganda  of  unthinking  and  illogical  people.  They  will  tell
you  that  this  is  a  socialistic  age  and  complain  that  banks  and  large
capitalists  are  banded  together  to  keep  on  amassing  wealth  to  the
detriment  of  the  conditions  of  the  general  community.  We  may
answer  this  in  saying  most  truthfully  that  Banks  themselves  are
absolutely  socialistic  in  their  inethods.  They  accept  money  from  those
who  have  it,  and  lend  it  to  those  who  need  it  and  can  use  it  safely.
