MILLTOWN’S MODERN NEW BANK BUILDING WILL BE OPENED FOR INSPECTION TOMORROW

MILLTOWN, April 18-In recent years the growth of banking institutions in small towns has been most creditable. Tomorrow, however, Milltown opens the way for other communities when it will present the First National Bank for inspection; a structure equipped with practically all the labor-saving and protection devices of the Metropolitan bank. By these innovations, the local bank has opened up possibilities which will grow daily for the convenience of the population, and in a short while it is believed that the local institution will become an instrument of still greater service to the community. The new building is centrally located and makes a striking appearance with its front of Imitation granite. The exterior of the bank is readily understood by referring to the accompanying reproduction. Doors will be opened at 9 a.m., and will remain open until 9 p.m., for the general survey of the building, and a close Inspection of all the modern ideas which have been combined in this handsome structure.

The entire banking force of workmen will be on hand tomorrow to assist in the inspection as well as many of the directors. Souvenirs will be given away by the bank as a remembrance of the opening and it is expected that hundreds will avail themselves of the opportunity to view this magnificent new home of a fast growing organization. The bank directors make the invitation a most cordial one, and none should feel backward about making a call during the course of the day.

Wonderfully Well Arranged

Upon entering the bank, the vestibule and lobby with walls paneled off in Mycenian marble are attractive. To the right of the lobby is the president’s room, neatly decorated with walls of old ivory, making it an inviting place for business. An entrance is also made to this room from the information room which adjoins in the main banking space.

To the left of the lobby, will be found the ladies’ room, fully equipped dressed in the identical design as the president’s room.

The main banking room offers a picture of exquisite taste with plaster cornices set off with pilasters. This decoration refers to the upper part of the walls while the lower section is marked off and finished In Caen stone. The public space and the vestibule as well as the lobby carry a terrazzo flooring. To the right of the public space is the Information room, which has a flooring of natural cork, with checker board design. The floors of the president’s room, ladies’ room, and the working space provided for the employes is also laid off with cork flooring with checker board designs. Two check desks are in the public space and made of marble with heavy glass tops and pivoted windows.

Business Windows

The tellers’ windows comprise polished plate glass with wickets of solid bronze, while the counter looks handsome composed of Tavernelle and Mycenian marble. Five windows are placed in the screen to accommodate the customers, and each window carries a certain booth for the employe. The space alloted for the working force is ample and gives sufficient room for the transaction of all business. The lower banking room and public space is supplied with a wonderfully arranged lighting system, with eight large windows throwing down sunlight from the upper section, as well as several smaller windows in the lower section. Aside from this, five medium-large windows afford excellent light from over the mezzanine in the rear of the building.

The vault, built by the Herring-Hall-Marvin Safe Company of New York, is located directly to the left of the building next to the public space. Entrance to the section where the vault is located is through a bronze gate and grille. The vault carries a reinforced concrete shell. as well as a steel lining with a network of burglar alarm wires properly attached to a signal on the outside of the building. The door of the vault is a large circular one, supported on massive hinges with a combination time lock. The door is ten inches thick. Inside of the vault are several hundred steel safe deposit boxes as well as a large round magazine for the safe keeping of securities and cash. A large size mirror takes in the entire back of the vault. To the right of the larger vault, a smaller one is erected for the storage of records and books which, similar to the large one, is heavily reinforced.

Adjoining this vault, is a coupon booth of frosted glass where customers may be escorted to go over their papers, which are taken from the vault. On the extreme right of this is the men’s locker. Over the vaults is the mezzanine, which has been prepared in case of additional working space being needed. This is a very pretty part of the building, for a colonnade of heavy plaster columns, with an ornamental railing, gives an excellent set off. to the rear of the interior.

In depleting the artist’s taste In this interior decoration, one must not leave out the mahogany furniture and fixtures. The lofty celling is twenty feet high which affords an unusual chance for the light and air to come into the room. Over the front lobby and side rooms, is the board of directors department. It is a specious room in which to transact business. This room is paneled in several tones of pleasing colors with four large windows supplying light. A casement window overlooks the entire banking floor and from this position, one may get a full glance of the excellent taste of architecture used in the making of the building. In the large basement of the bank are located the boiler room, coal bunker, and two large vaults for the storage of records and the like. The bank will be heated by vacuum steam.

Directors Well Pleased

Every members of the Board of Directors of the bank is well pleased with the new home. The building should meet all requirements for years to come and has been erected at great expense.

President J. Burr Herbert and the other directors feel indebted to the architect and the contractors for the beautiful touch given the building. The architect apparently tried primarily for dignity of design and this was attained by study of the proportions of the building.

1917-1924

The First National Bank was Instituted in 1917, and with business of seven years in back of it, has advanced to the stage now where it has been able to accomplish much. The Iate J. V. L. Booream was the first president of the charter officials, and after his death J. Burr Herbert now president, was elected and has held the reign ever since. Of the original Board of Directors only the late Mr. Booream has been taken from the official body and his place has been taken by Cashier H. J. Booream. The bank has made wonderful strides in the past seven years and was compelled to Increase the capital stock from $25,000 to $50,000. The directors are a body of men with many business qualities, while the workers in the Institution are well versed in banking fundamentals. H. J. Boeream, the cashier, has been in this work for nineteen years, coming here from the First National Bank of New Jersey of New Brunswick. His interests in the local organization are keep and he devotes much time to making the bank one of the leaders in the county circles. Edwin M. Kuhlthau, assistant cashier, was also connected with the First National Bank of New Jersey of New Brunswick, and has been prominent figure in the advancement of the affairs of Milltown’s institution. Miss Helen Lindstrom and Miss Edith Lins are very capable members of the business staff and gained banking knowledge through the School of Banking in Elizabeth.

View this beautiful home tomorrow, and admire the tasty designs, Alexander Merchant of Highland Park was the architect in charge of the building, while the general construction work was under the supervision of the Milltown Realty Company, with Earl Seaman, a practical manager In charge of the work. The lighting system was Installed by Richard Perry, Plumbing work was done by L. Zach and Co., the masonry work by Robert Ferguson, heating by the Milltown Engineering Company and the painting by John Kemp.

The officers and directors of the bank are: President, J. B. Herbert: vice presidents, Christian Kuhlthau, and N. N. Forney; cashier, H. J. Booream: assistant cashier, Edwin M. Kuhlthau: directors. George Kuhlthau, Elmer E. Connolly, Spencer Ferry, C. C. Richter. and Fred W. De Voe, solicitor.