Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-12-22
FINANCE AND TRADE
Higher Prices Predicted for the
Close of the Holidays.
BUSINESS CONDITIONS ARE IMPROVED
Reports From Many Sections Of
the County.
GENERAL MARKET REPORTS

Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.
NEW YORK. December 22-Openina
prices this morning were about on a parity
with last nights finals, and were not ma
terially altered by the subsequent narrow
trading. The railroad list, particularly, was
neglected by the trading element, prices
yielding fractionally under the evening-up
process. Operators have given up all idea
of stimulating any activity during the few
remaining days of this year, but predict a
higher and broader market market at the
close of the holiday season. Improvement
in general business conditions is reported
in many sections of the country, and Wall
street. after it's usual custom, must soon
begin to discount era of prosperity
which, though long delayed is now believed
to be assured. If investors can be induced
to support the market value of their Sc
Curities, or can be made to realize the ex-
cellent opportunity for making low-priced
additions to their present holdings trading
in the long account will show speedy and
profitable returns.
Financial legislation is essentially neces-
sary to a period of substantial activity,
and some sound business measure, looking
to the removal Of many patent evils is
hoped for in the immediate future The
pooling bill will have a beneficial effect on
the securities of all the western roads to
which the measure is directly applicable,
anu IL Is now DelfeNeu IL Will pass the Sem
ate substantially in its present form. II
amendments are made, they are likely to
be such as will add to the practical opera
ton of the bill, and will not detract in any
way from the real object of its mission.
The domination of the volatile industrials
will be .ess pronounced should the relief
now expected from the above sources ma
teriaiize. The manipulation in the latter
group has stood out prominently during
the week ending today by reason of the
stagnation and disinterestedness In other
departments.
Fluctuations have been based on nothing
more substantial than the passing whims
of the manipulating interest The course Of
prices in stocks dependent on such condi-
lions cannot be reduced to anything more
certain than surmise or a suspicion.
Later developments in Chicago Gas would
| indicate that the rumors circulated early in
| the week to the effect that the usual divt-
| dend was in jeopardy were a device to ac-
| quire stock for a sharp advance, which has
| long been in contemplation by certain large
| interests. All the conditions precedent hav-
| ing been fulfilled, the street is full of
| points to buy the stock.
The hank statement reflects a loss Of
| s., 100000 in lawful money, all in legal
tenders. The large reduction In loans ID
| due in a great measure to the closing up
of part of the government bond transac-
| ton. This reduction is directly responsible
| for the decrease in deposits, and also fol
| the increase in surplus reserve.
The statement in detail follows: Reserve,
increased, 1854 $50; loans, decreased, $685..
| 100; specie, increased, 1851, 100; legals de.
creased, $500, 800; deposits. decreased, SlO..
| 90. 200, and circulation, increased, $36.2N