The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-19

The Revival OF Business Shown by Omcinl
Statistics OF Corporations

HARRISBURG. Dec. 1s.-There has been Q
great increase in the volume of business trans-
acted by the corporations of Pennsylvania since
the election of President William Mckinley.
Every feature or branch of corporation business
shows q steady growth in its operations this
year as compared with 1896, according to the
reports of the State Department 1t is doubt
full whether there has ever been a time in the
history of the State when q similar comparison
would have shown the same results. The
figures were prepared by Corpora ion Clerk
William G. F~arnsworth of the State Depart
ment. This department Of the Government of
Pennsylvania has exclusive jurisdiction over
the issuance of charters, the increase or de-
crease of corporate stock or Indebtedness, tho
extension of railways. the dissolution of cor
porations, and the registration Of foreign cor
porations seeking to do business in this Com
monwealth.
The most interesting feature Of the subject 70
perhaps tho business of railroad companies.
These corporations reflect every iuctuation in
the business OF the State. During the months
of March. April, May. June. and July, 1896.
when the free silver heresy was at its ioodtide,
and before the business men of the country had
settled down to the belief that the sober sense Of
the American people was bound to triumph. there
was an almost complete stoppage Of railroad
business in the office Of the Secretary of the Com
monwealth. During these five months not a sin
gle paper was filed in this Office for the increase
of the capital stock or Indebtedness OF a railroad
company. On the other hand. during the same
period OF 1897. following cKinkley's %inaugura-
tion, tho department authorized the increase Of
railroad stock and indebtedness TO the amount Of
$50. 900, 900. In 1896 there we're only Ave street
railway companies chartered with an aggregate
capital of $4,000 while in 1897 there were
nineteen companies chartered with an aggregate
capital of 1888, 900. or an %incrcas" OF about
l,40O per cent. In 1895 the total capital rcpre.
sented by all the corporation transactions OF the
department amounted to $73. 600, 900, and in
1897 to 1888, 00O. 600. IN increase of IDS per cent.
During the month or October. 1896. there were
twenty-eight miscellaneous manufacturing
companies chartered. with an aggregate capital
of $942. 900. During the same period of 1897
there were forty similar corporations chartered.
with an aggregate capital OF So. 800. 900, an in
crease in capitalization of So. AGO. 900, or nearly
800 per cent.
During the month of November, 1895. there
were twenty-five manufacturing companies
chartered. with an aggregate capital of $685.
600. During the same month in 1897 forty
three such companies were incorporated, with
an aggregate capital OF S3, $50 900. This shows
an increase in capitalization Of over SO. 200. 900.
or about 500 per cent.
During the month of November, 1896. existing
corporations increased their capital stock and
indebtedness TO the amount of S723.000. while
for the same month in 1897 these increases
amounted 70 BIO zoe, 900. an increase in cap.
cent. The business for the frat ten days In De.
cember OF this year shows "a corresponding in.
crease over the transactions OF the same period
in December. 1896.