Eulogium

Each year as the earth completes its circuit around the sun a group of Manhattan bankers, mighty gods of finance, assemble for the annual dinner of Group Eight of the New York State Bankers.

Number 27 of these dinners was held during the past week. The guest of honor was George Fisher Baker, Chairman of the Board of the First National Bank, doyen of U. S. bankers, hale and hearty, just on the short side of his 85th birthday and the 61st anniversary of his Wall Street career.

Present were John P. Morgan, Andrew W. Mellon and many another. Rarely does Banker Morgan speak in public, put on this special occasion he was eager to do honor to Mr. Baker.

Excerpts from Mr. Morgan's eulogium:

Father. "For a great part of my father's life he and Mr. Baker were close friends and associates in many matters. Father's experience with Mr. Baker was that of all of us, an experience of unfailing friendship and co-operation in many different ways."

Panic. "I well remember, after the panic of 1907, when my father was telling me the story of those anxious and agitated days, during which I had been absent, that he said, by way of summing up what he had been telling me:

" 'Of course, you see, it could not have been done without Mr. Baker; he is always ready to do his part--and more.' "

Helper. "And when, after my father's death and just before the war, very heavy responsibilities were thrown on me and there were many puzzling questions to be dealt with, not my father himself could have been kinder or more considerately helpful than was Mr. Baker. But here I am touching on too intimate personal feelings, and will pass on."

Profession. "Considering business as a profession, where will you find a better professor to teach that profession than Mr. Baker?

"In the first place, he knows more about it, from experience over a longer time, than any of us, and he has besides, to a degree unique in my experience, that invaluable quality of vitality, of youthful-mindedness, which enables him, while still keeping to the old fundamental principles with which he started his business life, and which he has carried all through it, to appreciate and make good use of the changes of method which are necessary in business, as in any other profession."