The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1890-03-30

The broker who has been most active in his
attempts to manipulate the market on Graphic
phone during the past fortnight and who was
successful in forcing it down from SIG to $13,
was facetiously dubbed by the financial writer
in last Sundays issue OF the Post as the ''Na-
poleon of F street, and the statement made
that his valor was much more admired than
his discretion. The writer also went further
and ventured some timely advice calculated to
stop the aforesaid Napoleon in his mad career.
Notwithstanding this wel-meant caution, the
process of hammering the stock was begun
again Monday and continued on Tuesday, with
the effect of causing it to drop to 13. AT this
point it was seen that the friends of the stock
had determined upon a rally, and on We'd
nesday the pressure was withdrawn and the
natural reaction set in, the broker alluded to
changing front and assisting the rise-in fact
out-Heroding Herod by paying the highest
prices for the stock, much to the surprise of his
whilom adversarles. The reasons therefor
were not fully understood, it being generally
stated that he was running to cover his ''short'
interest, and wanted to ''catch on' before those
''dear, delightful old-time figures of year
ago should be reached again, which, Of course,
the friends of the stock confidently predict,
and which certain holders at those figures are
patiently, even anxiously, awaiting. But the
reaction was not excessively violent, the high
est price touching 15s, at which the boom had
evidently spent itself. The sales aggregated
635 shares, ranging from l3 to 155.
Insurance stocks were in good demand &C.
lumbia and Riggs both showing unusual
strength, 300 of the former bringing 172 and
100 SIS, with continuing bid of the latter
price for more and no disposition to sell, it be-
ing confidently asserted that this stock will soon
reach $50. For Riggs, 50 was paid for $50
shares, 81 for 200 more, and 81 for 100 more.
and an offer made to take an additional 500 at
the same price, with none in sight under $40.
AS this chronicler has several times stated, this
stock had not participated in any Of the
s'booms'' attached to other insurance stocks
lately, and its turn was soon to come. The
time appears to have arrived when the value of
this stock is appreciated, and any reasonable
demand will carry it up still further 1t may
be stated that the company is doing well and
making money for its stockholders.
Bank stocks generally were in good request,
Columbia naturally being the favorte, 10 shares
selling at $50 and so at 17S, with an offer to
take 50 more at the same price. For Is Second
National 1S5 was paid, and West End brought
SO. Traders showed up weak, with sales of 10
at 80 and 16 at 81, which represents premium
of $40 and $11, respectively, and marking
drop of So from last previous sale. Ten Capt.
tai brought III, with an offer to take 10 more
at same price. The first sale OF Lincoln was
made yesterday, when shares secured 57!, or
$50 premium, with a bid for 20 more at same
price and none Offering.
Railroad stocks commanded fair share of
attention, 4S ''Belt" bringing 6S and so more
67l, eX-dividend of IS cents, which is due April
!. For 30 Columbia 73 was paid, and large
sales around same figures are reported as hay
ing been made privately outside the board.
The first sale of Brightwood, 10 shares, at 35
is recorded, and daily advancing bid made on
it. AS it is learned that very nearly all of this
stock is "pooled,' the bid is purely a perfume
tory one and does not express public demand
for the stock.
How the financial writer Of the Post will revel
in the unusual activity enjoyed by his standard
favorite, the Electric Light stock. 1t is, indeed,
an off-day with that excellent purveyor OF news,
coupled with an occasional fact, when this stock
is not given little boom, either by the promise
of an extra dividend or something equally as
good that would carry it up to his prediction of
100 by April l. Only two days left and there
is still wide margin to overcome. The sales
represent 80 shares at 115, 20 at 115!, and 10 at
1l6, with one little stray share at 1l65, the pur-
chaser of the 80 shares being broker generally
considered as inimical to the stock, but who is
evidently converted by the general good report
The stock Of the American Security and Trust
was fairly active, with sales of 175 shares in
various lots at A. which is an advance of So
over the amount paid in. Singularly, not sale
of the Washington Loan and Trust was noted
during the week.
The interest in Great Falls Ice stock increases
with the good news heard about it, and 2 shares
sold at 1877, with 5 more at 200, marking the
highest price yet reached, though enthusiastic
holders predict much greater figure before
the end of the year.
Telephone was dull, with but one sale of 20
shares at S5. Gas stock received no attention
at ALL An unusual sale was 13 Bull Run Pano-
rama at 25S. Some trading was done in Pneu-
matte Gun Carriage, 400 shares changing hands
at Z, (S74c.) Columbia Title Insurance Com
pany showed an Improvement on sales of 10
shares at 65.
Bonds were almost entirely neglected, s., 900
ID. G.. 6's of; 1902 at 1881 and $3.50 Light In
fantry at 105 representing the total transac-
tions.
Money continues easy at sac per cent. on
good collateral, and the outlook seems favor
able for good times during tie coming month.
Notes and Comments.
A general expression of regret has been heard
following the announcement that Col. A. T.
Brtton has found it impossible to accept the
presidency of the Columbia Bank, to which he
was recently elected. Fortunately for this bank,
they are rich in material to make good presi
dents of, and the names of several gentlemen
connected with the board of directors have been
mentioned, and their claims duly canYassed.
The name which is most frequently mentioned,
and which appears to give the fullest satisfae-
tton, is that of the Hon. Hugh McCulloeh who