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STATE BANJLa 60 STATES-GENERAL but this limitation was later removed. Banks in rural communities were re- quired to keep on reserve funds equal to 15 per cent, of their outstanding notes and deposits, of which three- fifths might be re-deposited with other National banks in 17 specified large cities, known as reserve cities. Banks in these reserve cities must maintain reserves equal to 25 per cent, of their deposits and outstanding notes, but half of these reserves might be deposited in the National banks in New York City, the central reserve city. Later Chicago and St. Louis were also ranked as cen- tral reserve cities. The rural banks were compelled to provide for redemp- tion of their notes at par by National banks in reserve cities. These latter must make similar arrangements with National banks in the central reserve cities. Added to these various restric- tions was the semi-annual inspection of the books of all National banks by in- spectors representing the Comptroller of the Currency, which was supposed to protect depositors against dishonesty or bad business judgment on the part of the bank officials. It is on more or less the same prin- ciples as the above system that the State banking systems are founded. Some slight differences and modifications there are. As an instance, Massachusetts has no State banks of discount and deposit. New York, California and Texas and several other States authorize corpora- tions to transact discount and deposit banking, savings bank and trust com- pany business under one charter. This kind of banking, known as "department store banking," is now also largely per- mitted the National banks under the Federal Reserve Law of 1913, making it difficult for the State banks in those States which have not made similar provisions to compete with the National banks. State banks, on the other hand, are more likely to be closely adapted to the needs of the local communities, espe- cially in the agricultural districts, where rural credit is a problem that a Na- tional bank cannot so easily solve. State banks outnumber National banks 2 to 1. In the beginning of 1920 there were 17,225 commercial State banks, representing an increase of 637 over the year before. The total resources of all the State banks in the country amounted to over $11,500,000,- 000. Individual deposits amounted to $8,999,000,000. Loans, discounts and in- vestments in bonds and securities to- talled $8,983,000,000. STATE, DEPARTMENT OF, an execu- tive department of the United States Government, established by Act of Con- gress, July 27, 1789. At its head is the Secretary of State, who is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Sen- ate and who is a member of the Cabinet. Through him communication is made be- tween the United States Government and any of the States or any foreign country. He has charge of the great seal of the United States; of all am- bassadors and consuls, and in his cus- tody are all engrossed copies of the laws of the United States and all treaties. STATEN ISLAND, an island compris- ing Richmond co., N. Y. ; bounded on the N. by the Kill von KuU, on the E. by New York Bay and the Narrows, on the S. S. E. by Raritan Bay and the Lower Bay, and on the W. by Staten Island Bay; is about 13 miles long with an ex- treme width of 8 miles; area, 58% square miles. It is generally very hilly. It contains the towns of Castleton, Middle- town, Northfield, Southfield, and West- field, in which are the villages of Totten- ville. Port Richmond, Linoleumville, Edgewater, Stapleton, Tompkinsville, and New Brighton. At the Narrows on the E. shore are Fort Wadsworth and a line of water batteries; on the Lower Bay are Midland Beach and South Beach, summer resorts; and on the N. shore is the Sailors' Snug Harbor, a home for infirm and aged seamen. There are excellent ferry and railroad facilities. Pop. (1910) 85,969; (1920) 116,531.. STATEN ISLAND, an island off the S. E. coast of Tierra del Fuego, sepa- rated from the mainland by the Strait of Le Maire. STATE MILITIA. See MILITARY OR- GANIZATION, United States; Militia, State. STATER, in numismatics, the name of certain coins current in ancient Greece and Macedonia. The gold stater of Athens was worth about $3.89; the silver stater about 86 cents, and the Macedo- nian gold stater $5.11. STATES-GENERAL, so called in con- tradistinction to the local etats provin- ciaux, the only representative assembly of France up to the Revolution. Under the Karolings there was an annual as- sembly of clergy and nobles, called either the Champ de Mars or the Champ de Mai, according to the time of meeting, but it had little of a repre- sentative character. The States-General properly so called was first assembled by Philippe le Bel in 1302, on the occasion of his disagreements with the Pope. It