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THE MAN OF THE MONTH
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W. S. Dickey Clay Manufacturing Company.
Joseph C. Williams, president of the Commerce.
Others on the Board of Directors are: Gordon T. Beaham, president of the Faultless Starch Company; Cliff C. Jones, president of R. B. Jones t$ Sons, Inc.; James Ketner, chairman of the Plaza Bank of Commerce; L. L. Marcell, investor; Thomas McGee, of Thos. McGee 6? Sons; and Bryce B. Smith, a director of General Baking Company.
Jim Kemper still puts in a full working day. He gets down to the bank at nine each morning and stays till five or five-thirty. He goes to bed between 10 and 12 each night; and not, as he puts it, "with pad and pencil or book at the bedside. I go right to sleep." Part of the charm of his large and beautifully furnished office lies in the little garden plot on the roof outside his west window. Ten by twenty feet in size, it is surrounded by a brown wooden fence. The grass is glossy green turf, with some of the city's pigeons on it; and flowers around the edge. The authentic rural touch is a little bird house attached to the fence.
Indicative of Jim's even temperament as a boss is the fact that he has had only two secretaries in 35 years. His secretary briefs him on callers before they enter, and he takes a personal pride in answering his own phone. On trips to other cities, where he likes to woo new accounts for the Commerce, he is thoroughly briefed by his competent staff on the people he is to see. Notes as to their personal and business doings — their home life and children — their vacation plans and
hobbies — their civic achievements. He can visit with them as an old friend, indeed.
The Commerce Trust Company, under the vigorous leadership of Jim Kemper, has had many banking "firsts." One is the banking seminar held yearly. Executives of correspondent banks gather to discuss the problems they face, and the possible solutions. They get first hand information on the very latest banking methods. Jim feels that this makes the correspondent stronger and it gives opportunity for an illuminating exchange of ideas.
Another "first" is the Commerce Garage. In 1940, it was concluded that the bank needed a sizable garage located next door for the convenience of bank customers and Commerce Building tenants. The land offsetting the bank on Main Street was purchased, a beautiful garage and store building was built, new tenants were secured, and in June of 1941, the new garage was opened. As existing shop leases expired, the entire ground floor area was finally cleared for the in