The Bank Shrinkage

The national bank statements Jiwt publlshed in Detroit furnlsb a good indication of the shrinkage that lias taken place during fonr years uf Democratie demonstration. When the published statements were made Marcli 6, 1803, there were eight national banks iu Detroit, with capital stock of $4.400,000. Now there are six. with capital of $3,300,000. a falling off oí 25 per cent. The total assets at the close of business Marcli (i. 1893, were $25,579,853. At the close of business Marcli '), 1897. they were .S-2:,.TS4.::::7. a decrease of $1,795,516. The deposita werp about the same tben as now. somethum over $18,000,000. In the loans and discimnts, which are the best barometer of business activity, the falliuR off is the most markeö. In March, 1893, these amounted to $17,621,433. March 9. 1897, they were only $13,589,037, a falling off of $4,031.795, or about 23 per cent. Instead of being actively employed in business over $.",000,000 of the funds belonsing to Detroit banks is lying. comparatively idle, in the vaults of other national banks. To get these funds into active business use is one of the most important purposes of congressional legislation.