The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-12-13
MONEY AND INVESTMENTS.
Doings Of O Day With Wall Street
Operators.
STOCKS ARE PIIENOMENALLY DULL.
Ina ,tiOn Due in n Measure 10 the
Uncertainty ms 10 what Com
grcs VIII Do-BOnd Market

New York December 12--Today's STOCK
market was phe pomenally dull. Some hes
itancy was discernible even on the part
OF the professional dealers. and values
sagged slightly on very moderate pres
sure. The arbtrage operations were re-
str.cted to few hundred shares. The
limited dealings were confined to the act
i've list and the fluctuations lacked I'M
portance except in Manhattan. Rock
Island and Reading. the last being sold
on complications which arc said to be
likely to arise in defining the legaAty OF
the reorganization. AT the low points
supporting orders ard covering Influence
again caused a recovery In which the spe-
cialties were the most prominent. The
closing was firm at slight net changes
either way.
Railroad bonds were quiet but firm, Gales
s5722,000
The market for the week has at fire.
auent lfltervals been characterized by
spells of dullness taxing the power of de-
scriphon. The disposition OF important
interests toward a temporary policy OF
inaction has been more clearly manifested
as the week progressed. but, while prices
have moved irregularly within q narrow
range, any serious break has been avert
Investors. believing in an eventual de-
cided clearing up OF the general business
and financial outlook. have displayed an
Increasing interes; in the railroad bond
market but the heavy spectators ana
their following are waiting Until more
definite understanding has been shown as
10 the IUsS. bilitieS lt ACTON at w i9l.nH-
ton on the Cuban question. tho .nGehted-
hess OF the Pacific railway to tho gov
erinl. mt and other important topics. lNs-
.tt- Ia tnt Ia agaa a
nations of aggressive steps regarding the
50 called trusts tend to check activ " IN
general trade as well as In NdH street.
At the same time the plethora of lohr-
able funds. favorable cotton and winter
wheat est mates and the expectation of
encouraging comparisons In railroad trat-
lie rotur1s before many weeks account for
the lack of pre- Ssure Of long stocks in the
face OF bear raids. The result OF this
condition has been a sluggish market. re
loved at times ny spasmod'c bursts of
comparative activity due to drives at tho
high priced stocks ana speoalties and sub
seuucnt covering purchases.
London operations were moderate In eX-
tent and on both sides of the market,
with "A slight preponderance in selling or
ders. There has been 10 abatement how
ever, Of the fore gn demand for tlvcst-
ment bonds. The market was relieved
from absolute stagnation by the tinnness
succeeding the declaration of the regular
/ on and Manhattan, win the bears
made IA bold play against the gas shares
based on the popular agitation Tor lower
prices for tho product
CousoAsiatei Gas was one of the few
stocks hat moved with spirit, and coy
cred an extremely wide range, closing at
"A net loss of rs per cent
Some of the spe'caltics were affected
hy the actual or expected dissolutbons of
trade pools including the steel billet trust.
whVh has virtually been disbanded. Real
Ing was prominent in the trading IN the
last half Of the week and sacgc1 sharp
ly on the unexpected issue raisel as to
the legality of certain steps in the re-
an.zation proceei ings Long Island
dropped per cent on unfavorah,e rumors
rT,aarling the III ancial and physical con
alton Of the property. 4 rally followed
nm official den al Of the reports 10y the
president Of the crmpany. Sugar was de-
pressed by the dullress In the trade and
Hllepui forecasts Of adverse legislation.
Steadlucss ruled In the final dealings.
which wore almost entirely due TO the
covering of shorts. The net changes were
d"rli-cs of lu2 per cent IN the principal
shares Aggregate sales 81 sharcs.
The bond market during the week dis
played considerable firmncss and broader
inquiry. Investment orders for forCdgn
and local account resulted I'm material
gains in y number OF issues but sharp
losses also occurred in some instances.
Sales aggregated s.. 2lG. 00O The most note
worthy lecl'~Cts were In Atchison and COL
orn'o and Pacific frsts 10. and Northern
Pacific consolS SKIES per cont.
Notal sales OF stocks today were S6a11
shares. including Reading TO- 200, Sugar
800. Manhattan 5000