Volume 2 - ElectricCanadian.com

102 HISTORY OF THE BANKpublic career, and there is hardly any matter relating tothe development of Canada in connection with which hisadvice and assistance are not sought.These matters have a direct bearing on the history ofThe Canadian Bank of Commerce, since they have helped tocreate a new relationship between the banking profession andthe community at large. Unusually diversified interests havenot prevented Sir Edmund Walker from at all times zealouslypromoting the legitimate interests of the institution withwhich he has been connected for almost a lifetime; and thefirst years of his service as general manager were devoted inand out of season to strengthening its position. On thepersonal side of his character, to quote an old schoolmate andlifelong friend, the late Mr. Henry A. Ware 1of Pasadena, Cal.,who was at one time a fellow-officer in the bank, "SirEdmund Walker is a great leader in the financial andbusiness world whose ability and success are unquestioned,and at the same time he is so broad, sensible and fair inhis transactions and decisions, as well as being veryconsiderate of the rights and interest of all under hisauthority, that all members of the staff of his bank, as wellaft all others who have a close acquaintance with him, havenot only a sincere admiration but real affection for him.. . .Notwithstanding all his attainments, he is modest,simple, and always cordial in welcoming his old friends."The first concern of the new general manager was to makea thorough revaluation of the assets of the bank, so as to beable to present to the directors and the shareholders a trustworthyshowing of the position and value of their property.In this he was ably assisted by the assistant general manager,Mr. J. H. Plummer. In the report made to the Board after'Henry Arthur Ware (1849-1018) was bora in Hamilton, Ont. He was cashierand second vice-president of the Metropolitan National Bank of Chicago, 1884-86;cashier Union National Bank, Duluth, 1887-88; vice-president First National Bank ofI > ninth. 1880-95; vice-president Commercial National Bank of Chicago, 1896-98; andvice-president Northwestern National Bank 1898-1900; also a director of the CableCompany.