New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-26

Thursday, March 2o-p. m.

The course OF prices In to-day's stock market
appeared to indicate that the operators for lower
values OF the last few days were not overconA.
dent OF their position. and that further heavy de-
clines were not. in their opinion. within the
bounds of safety, especially none OF the re.
Gently accumulated stock Of important interests
showed any tendency TO participate in the liqu.
dation caused by the Transmissouri decision Of
Tuesday. AT times to-day there were decided
efforts TO cover, and although speculative senti-
ment continued unsettled. there was no indication
OF vigorous attempts among the operators for
decline TO put the market lower. Early weak
ness was followed by rally which carried prices
in many stocks above yesterdays closing. but
slight recessions at the end left prices generally
fractionally lower than last nights final figures.
Spectators who have predicted general demon.
azation in traffic rates beginning TO re-
member that general conditions are not favorable
TO a continued decline in values despite the IN.
certainty concerning the future of traffic organi.
cations. and perhaps they realize that the great
railway lines Of the country will find It 10
their interests to enter into condition Of hope
less ruin. and that they will do everything within
human power to avert the chaotic condition
which some people seem to fear is impending.
Railroad men will hold together and il existing
traffic associations are declared Illegal measures
Will be devised and successfully carried into ef.
feet by which the transportation business VIII
continue to be handled in a manner best suited
to serve the interests OF the owners and the Gus
toners OF the properties.
There was less activity In to-day's market. and
no disposition among commission house clients
and investors 10 part with their holdings. Out
size OF Sugar Refining. Jersey Central Omaha,
Chicago Gas, Burlington. ST. Paul and Reading
comparative dulness ruled. and throughout me
DAY there was no important movement In prices
fluctuations generally being within fractional
limits Burlington the only stock in the ac-
tive list which lost more than | per cent. Tne
strong features In the situation are too powerful
to be offset for any length Of time By five 10 fou!
majority opinion OF the Supreme Court. ara
opinion among investors and business men IN
POI 10 NJ lien m hali tl,ot shn
est court In this country and legislative bodies
OF States and the Nation Will destroy legtimatey
invested capital deprive thousands OF men
OF the enjoyment OF the rewards Of honest labor.
A view OF the situation leaves no room for
doubt or pessimism, and the stock market ten'
dency to-day reflected a better and broader IN
depreciation OF actual prevailing conditions
Railroad gross earnings received to-day for NV
third week In March gave many encouraging
gains, with the exception OF 81. Paul. Northern
Pacific and Missouri Kansas and Texas. nc
for the third week. compared with the same
week last year. but gained slightly over the same
week OF 1890 or seventeen companies reporting
10 day (St Paul not included ten showed ga!nsW
Slo3 ti?6 and seven losses of SJ2g.N Missouri
Pacific gained So. 900. making an increase from
January | OF sol. 900 Industrial conditions 10
the South and Southwest are improving as re-
hected In better earnings among the Southern
roads The Southern Railway FOR February
showed net gain OF SO 40 over the correspond
ing month In 1896 and the Central Of Georgia
for the third week In March gam IN gfo''
earnings OF IS.
Prices for last sales OF the principal act's
stocks compared with the final figures or yes
terday, were as follows: