21188. Second National Bank (Houston, TX)

Bank Information

Episode Type: Suspension → Reopening
Bank Type: national
Bank ID: 8645
Charter Number: 8645
Start Date: February 14, 1933
Location: Houston, Texas (29.763, -95.363)

Metadata

Model: gpt-5-mini
Short Digest: 5317ac51

Response Measures

None

Description

Articles include (1) a state-ordered moratorium (five-day banking holiday) effective March 3, 1933 listing the Second National among Houston banks that 'will not be open' (government-ordered suspension). Other articles (June 1933) discuss the Second National Bank of Houston as a source of large withdrawals from Detroit banks around the Feb. 14, 1933 statewide banking holiday; those are transfers/withdrawals (not a depositor run on the Houston bank). The March moratorium was temporary (state proclamation), so classification is suspension_reopening.

Events (3)

1. April 15, 1907 Chartered

Source: historical_nic

2. February 14, 1933 Other

Newspaper Excerpt: He said two such withdrawals were those of Mrs. James Couzens ... and the Second National Bank of Houston, Texas. ... $4,000,000 was removed from the two banks before the State-wide holiday was proclaimed February 14.
Source: newspapers

3. March 3, 1933 Suspension

Cause: Government Action
Cause Details: State governor proclaimed a five-day moratorium (banking holiday) effective March 3, 1933.
Newspaper Excerpt: In obedience to the proclamation of the Governor of Texas declaring five-day moratorium, effective Friday, March 3, 1933, the undersigned banks of Houston will not be open for the transaction of any kind of business prior the of March morning ... Second National
Source: newspapers

Newspaper Articles (10)

1. March 3, 1933 The Houston Chronicle Houston, TX

Article from The Houston Chronicle, March 3, 1933

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BANKS TO First National Bank State National Bank South Texas Commercial National City Bank Trust Company Bank Jacinto Trust Company In obedience to the proclamation of the Governor of Texas declaring five-day moratorium, effective Friday, March 3, 1933, the undersigned banks of Houston will not be open for the transaction of any kind of business prior the of March morning unless some change is made in the governor's proclamation meanwhile. Houston National Bank Houston Land Company Union National Bank Harrisburg National Bank Second National Citizens State Bank National Bank of Commerce Guardian Trust Company

2. June 26, 1933 The Brownsville Herald Brownsville, TX

Article from The Brownsville Herald, June 26, 1933

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WALL STREET BLAMED Withdrawals Made By Houston and Mrs. Couzens Told DETROIT June R. Wilkins, Detroit banker, told one-man grand jury the closing of two banks here today that sole reason for the closing of banks. was, in my opinion, to 'got' Henry Blames Wall Street Wilkins, former executive vice president of the Guardian Detroit Union group, Inc., holding pany for mumber of banks, declarhe the opinion that Street believed had chance, by Lying Ford's deposits banks. SO deplete his working capital he must with them broke. Ford, said, had more than on deposit Detroit banks at that time Just before he made the statement regarding Ford, had startled oper. grand jury sion by more than 000 had been cleared through the Detroit house between the time the actual declaration the state banking holiday, Tuesday, Feb. 14, and the following Thursday. he said, were made behalf of Mrs. James Couzens, wife of the Michigan senator. and the Second National bank of Houston, Tex. Account Withdrawn In discussing the check clearings Wilkins told Circuit Judge Harry Keidan, presiding at the hearing, that all the personal was withMrs. drawn day before the holiday. mentioned only two other He both by the Houston for $100,000 and the othbank. for $65,000.

3. June 26, 1933 Brooklyn Eagle Brooklyn, NY

Article from Brooklyn Eagle, June 26, 1933

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Banks Closed To His Aide Says Tells Jury Detroit Institutions Shut Up at Wall Street Behest Detroit June Wilkin, Detroit banker, grand investigating the closing national banks today that sole reason for closing banks my opinion, Henry Ford.' Wilkin declared was the opinion Street believed Ford's deposits the banks, deplete working capital that he must broke Wilkin George Davison, New York banker. was the the idea" of closing the Detroit banks. before he made the stateFord, Wilkin had startled the open grand jury session than had cleared through the Clearing House between the time of the actual declaration the State banking holiday, Tuesday, and the following Thursday. For Mrs. Couzens he said, were made behalf of James of the Michigan and the Second National Bank of Houston, He mentioned only two other withdrawals by the Houston bank, one for $100,000 and the other for $65,000. Wilkin said that Houston the home town Jesse H. Jones, director chairman the Reconstruction Finance Corporation. The Detroit News today said that Jones, reached by telephone at his Washington office, said he has connection all with the Houston bank, and declared did not get information from him garding conditions in Detroit.

4. June 26, 1933 Brooklyn Eagle Brooklyn, NY

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Banks Closed To Tells Detroit InstiJury tutions Shut Up at Wall Street Detroit, June Wilkin, Detroit banker, told the grand jury the closing two banks today that sole reason for the closing banks was, opinion, Henry Wilkin declared was of the opinion that Street believed chance, by tying Ford's deposits in the banks, deplete capital that he must working with them Wilkin George Davison, New York the the idea" of closing the Detroit banks. the Just before he made the statement regarding Ford, Wilkin had startled the open grand jury session declaring than had been through the Detroit Clearing House between the declaration Mr. the State holiday, Tuesday, and the following Thursday Mrs. Couzens Withdrawals, he said, were made behalf Mrs. James Couzens, wife of the Michigan Senator, and the Second National Bank of HousTex. only two other withdrawals both the Houston bank, one for and the other for Wilkin said that Houston is the home town Jesse H. Jones, then managing director and now chairFinance Corporation. The Detroit News today said that Jones, reached by telephone his Washington office, said he has connection all with the Houston bank, and declared the bank did not get information from conditions in Detroit.

5. June 27, 1933 The Cincinnati Enquirer Cincinnati, OH

Article from The Cincinnati Enquirer, June 27, 1933

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Is Provided In Code Witness Sees Gotham Plot BUTTER COUNCIL To "Strangle" Henry Ford In Detroit Bank Closings To Regulate Prices Each Week Throughout Nation. Branches Of Dairy Business Also Working On Agreements-Action Under Farm Act. June AP) Representatives of the dairy indus try which about one fourth of American farm income tonight voted ask Secretary Wal lace to employ his drastic licensing powers to enforce dairy trade agree Their decision soon after representatives of butter manufacturers distributors had submit ted trade agreement calling for the fixing of minimum weekly prices of butter by dairy council of 10 in the major The favoring licensing was taken at the general dairy conference called by administrators of the farm act More than 200 rep. resentatives of processore and distributors, including of ficers of both cooperative and pri vate concerns, were present Under licensing powers provided Wallace he can refuse operating permits to which fail to trade now observe ing for phase of the including butter cheese fluid milk evaporated and dry milk and Ice cream manufac turing with out license is subject to daily fine of $1,000 Licenses Are Favored the group that Wallace was to use the licensing but that Adminis trators first give minori ties chance to play fair The dairy representatives took the that licensing should be into effect trade agree ments were The group selected committee to each phase of the industry in correlating agreements which each will present in an ef fort to increase the return to producers. N. L. Clark, of Swift & Co., Chi cago, presented the butter agreeset up code of sales practices in to creat ing committee of 10 fix weekly at the Chicago and New and at one on the Pacific Coast either San Los Angeles The committee be made up of five members to be appointed the American Association of Cream ery Butter Manufacturers and five by the Cooperative Milk Producers' Federation com mittee. to be known as the Butter Council, be upon to fix the weekly base after the "market movement, visible supply subcommittees would be established one on the procurement of butter fat from farmers and dealers, and the second on the marketing of butter Clark said butter prices were now approximately 15 per cent below the pre-war which is the goal of farm act administrators He said butter nually for pounds butter with an tion of from $400,000,000 to The butter contains no relating to or minimum hours of labor Two courses open to the industry either the setting up of separate code these features be submitted to administrators of the National Act. obtaining the consent of Secretary Wallace approve an the agreement covering wages and hours Wage Held Out Wallace taken the position that wages and should be by Johnson Ad of the Recov ery Act and that the Admin not deal with that said that the butter to have all in one ment subject to Wallace's adminis tration Clark said the butter industry was not sharp fluctuations in daily butter quota tions the New York and Chicago butter and believed cre ation of the committee sta bilize and what he described disturbing influ ence the industry butter proposed code governing butter which would outlaw the paying of secret rebates by giving any except the of the purchaser for cost of tising the seller's of butter the use of articles sold by retailers loss and the of prices to customers regardless of decline Detroit, June ness charge that long-standing Wall Street "strangle" Henry Ford lay directly behind the closing of two national banks in Detroit tonight rested in the records of jury investigating the city's banking affairs The charge the two of testimony in was made by Herbert R. Wilkin Detroit detailing his of leading up to of the Guardian Na the closing tional Bank of which with the National Bank Detroit, did not reopen after the Michigan "Wall Street believed it had chance tying MD deposits the Michigan declared his working Wilkin to with capital that they them go realized that was finish they had started But they very his the witness had his hearers with the $4,000,000 from the banks before the holiday was proclaimed February 14. He said two withdrawals were Mrs James Couzens wife of the Michigan Senator the Second National Bank of Houston, Texas. He that had through the after the bank holiday had been de Houston was the home Jesse H. Jones Chairman of the Reconstruction Cor poration. He in testimony to link the failure of the Guardian National Bank from which he said the money was with to obtain an R. loan with the Houston withdrawals say ing when the withdrawals were got the impression weren't going the In Wilkin said he with the Houston bank but while he was testifying word was re himself Ington, and from officials of the Houston bank that the with Chairman no the Texas institution Firmly and with curt answers Wilkin his story what he termed Wall Street plot," questioning by Prosecutor Harry before Judge Harry Keidan jury which the is on the that the of undervalued by Federal Examiners, and charged was for the purpose who cooperating wanted the bank back at price which was not equitable Most the Saginaw was held by Guardian The bank finally purchased Perry the new Bank of and of the pric He said ing first and the into the offer to held and nally accepted Wilkin testi- which he then the Wilkin Awalt told We've been too easy on you birds all over the country going to be tough they get any place except Michigan asked Judge can't find any other place,' he But they plenty said in Mayor Frank of Senator said this "Mr Wilkin's testimony if has reported to me reveals that he in only part of the Senator Couzens in Lon don as delegate the World Economic and Mrs Couzens with "Certainly Mayor Couzens con tinued funds transferred from the National Bank of Combank with any banking holiday would tak three year program, since we shall ask for reduced acreage on the 1934 and 1935 crops However, if the London World Economic) Conference should develop means by which wheat could move freely and the price should rise and at the pre-war parity, it might not be to impose the tax and pay the benefit after this year

6. June 27, 1933 The Springfield Daily Republican Springfield, MA

Article from The Springfield Daily Republican, June 27, 1933

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WALL-STREET PLOT TO STRANGLE FORD SEEN BY BANKER R. Wilkin Says New York Bankers Thought They Could Force Ford to Trade With Them or Go Broke June witness charged today that long-standing Wall street plot Henry Ford lay directly behind the closing national banks Detroit. The before grand jury investigating the man banking affairs. The charge, the sensational in was made by Wilkin, Detroit banker, his affairs up the closing the Bank of ComFirst did reopen after the Michigan holiday They Sadly Fooled street had chance, by up Wilthe his capital that he them broke. think realized that was the time what they But they were sadly Previously in his testimony the withad his with the that moved from banks before statewide February such drawals Mrs James Couzens, the Michigan senator. the Second bank of Houston, He asserted that many checks had been cleared through Detroit Clearing house after the bank holihad Houston, said, was the home Jesse H. the corporalink the of the Guardian tional bank, from which he said the withdrawn, an R. with the withthe withdrawals were made, got impreswe going the loan.' sion Connection Denied In testimony, Wilkin said he understood Jones with the bank, but while was testireceived from Jones fying himself and from ofof the Houston bank, that the ficials chairman had no connections the Texas WilFirmly and his story what he kin street plot,' Prosecutor Harry Toy, fore Harry Keidan, sitting the jury, which holding public sessions. who remained on the stand day, charged that the assets Second National bank of were by aminers, charged "fellows who the bank price Most the stock was held by the "Going to Be Tough" The finally by director of the bank Detroit, and group associates, the price He said their first offer was after group went they reduced the offer The bank held finally accepted trip Washington, which he Awalt, of the Wilthen Awalt him: been kin birds all the too country. Now, going they get tough in any place except Michigan," asked Judge Keican't find any other place," he they were tough here?" sir, plenty tough," said Wilkin.

7. June 27, 1933 The Courier-Journal Louisville, KY

Article from The Courier-Journal, June 27, 1933

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BANK CLOSING BLAME PUT ON WALL STREET (Continued from First Page.) tal that he must deal with them or go broke Previously in his testimony the witness had startled his hearers with the declaration that $4,000,000 was Architect's on Fifteenth removed from the two banks before the State-wide holiday was proclaimed February 14, stating two such the Houston withdrawals were those of Mrs. James Jones himself in Couzens. wife of the Michigan Senator, and the Second National Bank of Texas He also asserted that many checks had been cleared through the Detrait Clearing House the bank holiday had been declared by Prosecutor Harry town of Jesse chairman of one-man which the Reconstructic Finance Corporalic sessit tion. He proceeded in testimony to link the Houston withdrawais with the failure of the Guardian National Bank. which he said the money withdrawn to obtain a R. F. When the withdrawals were made got the impression we weren't going to get the loan In testim Wilkin said he un-

8. June 27, 1933 Marysville Journal-Tribune Marysville, OH

Article from Marysville Journal-Tribune, June 27, 1933

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BANK INQUIRY WALL STREET PULATED DETROIT BANKS TO GET CONTROL OF FORD COMPANY. DETROIT, June Wall Street manipulated the Detroit banking situation in vain attempts to gain control of the Ford Motor Company and allegathat withdrawals by the ond National Bank of Houston, and Mrs. James Couzens represented "smart money" today interest the public grand jury hearing into the collapse of cities leading banks. Herbert Wilkin, general managroup, holding company of the closed Guardian National Bank, testified yesterday that the eve of the banking holiday the Texas bank, located in the home city of Jesse Jones of the R. made heavy withdrawals On Feb. the day after Clifford Longley, president of the Union Guardian Trust Company arrived Washington to negotiate loan from the Wilkin testified, the Texas bank made withdrawal Later another $40,000 withdrawn. Charges Plot. Street believed had chance by tying up Ford's deposits the Michigan banks," declared Wilkin, so deplete his working capital that must deal with them broke. think they realized that here was the time to finish what they had started. But they very sadly fooled." Firmly, and with curt answers, Wilkin gave his story of what he termed Wall Street plot," in Prosecutor Harry Toy, before Judge Harry Keidan, sitting as the one-man jury, which holding public sessions, Wilkin, who remained on the stand all day, charged that the the Second National Bank assets of of Saginaw were under-valued federal bank examiners, and ged was for the purpose of with "fellows who operating wanted the bank back at price which was not equitable." Most of the Saginaw bank's stock was held by the Guardian group. The bank finally was purchased Shorts, director of the by Perry National Bank of Detroit, and of associates, Wilkins saygroup was $400,000. said ing the price their. offer and, went into receivergroup ship, they reduced offer $54,000. The bank's receiver, howheld out for $500,000 and fin$400,000, Wilkin testially accepted fied. Discussing trip to Washington, in which he conferred with Awalt, then comptroller of the Wilkin said Awalt told him: rency, been too easy on you birds all over the country. Now, we're going to be tough." Loan. Houston, he said, the home town of Jesse H. Jones, chairman the Reconstruction Finance Corp. in testimony to link He proceeded the failure the Guardian National Bank, from which the money with withdrawn, to obtain R. loan with the Houston saying "when the withdrawals, withdrawals made, got the impression we weren't going to get the loan." testified that the HousWilkin Properties Corp. whose prospeche said, signed by Jesse Jones, applied to the Michigan commission sell Securities $1,000,000 worth of securities in understand,' he said, Michigan. worth were sold." Asked by Prosecutor Harry what those securities were Toy he replied, last worth today, was at the rate of quotation $10 $100. It was bid, for every

9. June 27, 1933 The Baltimore Sun Baltimore, MD

Article from The Baltimore Sun, June 27, 1933

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LAYS BANK CLOSING TO ANTI-FORD PLOT Witness Charges Wall Street Tried To Strangle Detroit Automobile Magnate then Comptroller of the Currency, Wilkin said Awalt told him: been too easy on you birds all over the country. Now, go. ing to be tough.' "Did he get tough in any place except Michigan. asked Judge Keidan can't find any other place.' he said. "But were they tough here?" "Yes. sir, plenty tough said Wilkin Mayor Couzens Explains Mayor Frank Couzens, son of Sen ator and Mrs. Couzens. said this aftSADLY FOOLED. HE SAYS ernoon that "Mr. Wilkin's testimony if it has been reported to me cor. Wilkin Also Tells Of $4,000,000 rectly. reveals that he is in of only part of the facts. Senator Withdrawal, Naming Mrs. James Couzens in London as delegate to the World Economic Conference Couzens and Mrs. with him. "Certainly Mayor Couzens con- (Continued from Page D ator and the Second National Bank of Houston. Texas. He also asserted that many checks had been cleared through the Detroit Clearing House after the bank holiday had been declared. Houston. he said, was the home town of Jesse H. Jones, chairman of the Reconstruction Finance Corporation. He procedeed in testimony to link the failure of the Guardian National, from which he said the money was withdrawn. to obtain a R. C. loan with the Houston withdrawals saying "when the withdrawals were made got the impression we weren't going to get the loan. Jones' Connection Denied In testimony, Wilkin said he understood Jones was connected with the Houston bank, but while he was testifying word was received from Jones himself. in Washington and from officials of the Houston bank. that the R. F. C. chairman had no connections with the Texas institution Firmly, and with curt answers Wil. kin gave his story of what he termed "the Wall Street plot' in questioning by Prosecutor Harry S. Toy before Judge Harry B. Keidan. sitting as the one-man jury, which is holding public sessions. Accuses U.S. Examiners Wilkin. who remained on the stand all day charged that the assets of the Second National Bank of Saginaw were undervalued by Federal bank examiners and charged it was for the purpose of cooperating with "fellows who wanted the bank back at price which was not equitable. Most of the Saginaw bank's stock was held by the Guardian group. The bank finally was purchased by R. Perry Shorts. director of the New National Bank of Detroit, and group of associates, Wilkin saying the price was $400,000. He said their first offer was $140,000. and, after the group went into receivership. they reduced the offer to $54,000. The bank's receiver however. held out for $500,000 and finally accepted $400,000, Wilkin testified. Discussing trip to Washington. in which he conferred with F. G. Awalt. tinued. "no funds were transferred to testify before the jury concerning om the National Banl. of Commerce the banking holiday and events following it. or any other bank with any knowledge that banking holiday would take place He said that while his father's family was living in Washington, "the Detroit Trust Company was used to collect monies from coupons and each month the collected funds were transterred through the National Bank of Commerce to the Riggs National Bank in Washington. This had been the custom over period of several years. During today's Judge Keidan signed formal order directed to William H. Woodin. Secretary of the Treasury, requesting the appearance here of more than dozen Federal -including Secretary Woodin and former Secretary Ogden L. Mills

10. June 27, 1933 Richmond Times-Dispatch Richmond, VA

Article from Richmond Times-Dispatch, June 27, 1933

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or go broke. "I think they realized that here was the time to finish what they had started. But they were very sadly fooled. Previously in his testimony the witness had startled his hearers with the declaration that $4,000,000 was removed from the two banks before the State-wide holiday was proclaimed February 14. He said two such withdrawals were those of Mrs James Couzens. wife of the Michigan senator, and the Second National Bank of Houston, Texas. He also asserted that many checks had been cleared through the Detroit Clearing House after the bank holiday had been declared. Wilkin, who remained on the stand all day charged that the assets of the Second National Bank of Saginaw were under-valued by Federal bank examiners, and charged was for the purpose of co-operating with 'fellows who wanted the bank back at price which was not equitable Most of the Saginaw bank's stock was held by the Guardian group. The bank finally was purchased by R. Perry Shorts, director of the new National Bank of Detroit, and group of associates. Wilkins saying the price was $400,000. He said their first offer was $140,000, and, after the group went into receivership, they reduced the offer to $54.000. The bank's receiver. however, held out for $500,000 and finally accepted $400,000. Wilkin testified.