New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-01
Total ., co.'s So Sos 99e S5.5sll7i Dec. s3s7. s2j
THE WEEK IN WALL STREET.

Various factors In the week contributed to an
Improvement in sentiment in The financial COM
m,inity although bear operators on the Stock
Exchange continued in their fight against higher
values and in their efforts TO drive outside sup
mort from the market There was no marked in
crease in activity except in the BOND department,
hut prices at the end Cf the week were better than
a week ago and the majority of reputable Drok-
ers in the Street were disposed 10 believe that
broader and better market might be expected
In the near future. Such conclusions were based
upon the more encouraging reports from the
commercial agencies, which indicated gradual
Improvement in industrial activity. ana on the
actual DEVELOPMENTS OF the week as directly at
fectng certain properties. the shares OF which
are listed upon the Exchange, ana. indirectly, all
shares Of corporate enterprises The agreement
reached by the soft coal roads, the declaration
Of dividend on the common STOCK OF the chi
cago 81. Paul. Minneapolis and omaha railroad
Company, and the cOnirlnduoN DE me DOHunOlU-
ers of the Atlantic and Pacific purchase by the
Atch!son were among the favorable develop
ments tending to increase the intrinsic and mar
ket values OF the companies ahected. while
more general foreign interest in the stock mar
ket q continued demand from investors for rail-
road and Government bonds and the appoint
ment OF Lyman j. Cage as the next secretary Oh
ehe Treasury were important and highly salts
factory and pleasing incidents, al iaNorap!e 10
Increased confidence in the security market ana
in business in general. At the close OF the week,
and especially yesterday. the bond market de-
veloped an expanding tendency, due TO local ana
foreign demand, which advanced prices consider
ably and caused increased activity in stocks
Bear operators, il is fortunate 10 record. are
growing somewhat more cautious in their opera
lions, and the most intelligent ones are begin
mig TO sec the handwriting on the wall. which
while yet rather dim. viii soon be clear enough
70 foretell the doom Of those operators who per-
sist in believing that business prosperity VIII
not be an established fact.
The anthracite coal shares received consider
able attention IN the week from the bear elc-
ment. and the condition Of the anthracite coal
companies conspicuous in discussion by
reason OF the bear attention TO the shares and
the ignorant criticisms made Of the financial OPP
crations OF the Delaware and Hudson Canal
Company. At the end OF the week there
was more real Information among those
who took X upon themselves 10 question
and disagree with the intelligent men IN
charge CT the Delaware and Hudson, and
there was an appreciable change in their
edgnlent OF the wrong which their poorly ad-
vised criticisms had done the men In control ana
the market value Of the anthracite shares. The
reports OF three OF the anthracite companies
Delaware and Hudson. Delaware. Lackawanna
and Western. and IohiRh Yalley-for 1896 have
aeen made, and all agree in their exhibits or
losses sustained on account Of the depression In
the coal trade and in business in general, but o.
pecially In the case OF Delaware and Hudson
ard Iacka wanna--the record was remarkably
good considering the obstacles against them,
both showing more than per cent earned on the
stock. which was exceedingly satisfactory in
cornparigOn with The majority OF railroad COM
panies earnings in the last year. While Della
ware and Hudson lost coal sales, IL made an
exceptionally good showing in It's railroad bust
ness. and IL Is worth mentioning. that In this
particular the companys earnings have in