On the other hand, consider a few of the many risks the bank is constantly taking. Every loan it makes is a risk. A few bad loans, made through dishonest or visionary representations of its customers, may blot out the bank's profits for a year or more. Every check or draft cashed is a risk. Every check, draft, or note it takes for collection is a risk. In fact, every transaction the bank undertakes is more than ordinarily hazardous. Moreover the profits of the average city bank are not large. Considering their responsibilities and the innumerable ways by which they may involve the bank, the salaries paid the employes, from the President to the messengers, are small. Also remember there is no "water" in the stock of banks. The capital of every National Bank must be fully paid in, before it is allowed to open for business; and in most of the States, the banks, other than National, must have their entire capital paid up within a year from their beginning. The net profits of successful banks, located in cities with a population of one hundred thousand or over, average about six to ten per cent. The business man, when considering an investment in a mercantile or manufacturing enterprise, generally counts on double that amount of dividends. If, as the politicians state, the banks enjoy so many "special privileges"; it is strange that the people of every section of the country do not rush in to organize and take stock in banks. * * * * * * Transcriber's note: Minor typographical errors have been corrected without note. Irregularities and inconsistencies in the text have been retained as printed.