Evening star., 1897-02-08
The Nsquieting Political News From
the East.
EFFECT OF TRUST INVESTIGATION
Washington Advices as to the New
Tariff Bill.
GENERAL MARKET REPORTS

Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.
NEW YORK. February Slower prices
in the London market and the position of
the trusts now under rigid examination
had 4 depressing influence on values this
morning. The apprehension manifested in
the foreign market was ascribed to dis
quieting political news from the east. De-
yond the customary sentimental influence
of varying political conditions. there would
seem to be no occasion for alarm in the
European markets.
The czar's illness Is seriously considered
in some quarters. but can scarcely be ac
cepted as an excuse for liquidation. Money
continues abundant at the principal for
eign money centers. but rates are reported
to be shade above last weeks level.
The arbitrary business methods disclosed
In the examination Of Sugar officials and
their principal rivals have. not unnaturally.
failed to attract popular approval. There
Is no precedent warranting the belief that
the present investigation viii detract per
manently from the value Of shares COM
monty 1rcwn as representing an equity in
a trust There is however. well de-
fined fear that having escaped the letter of
the law in the past the spirit Of antitrust
legislation may now be applied with un-
usual vigor.
The per cent decline in Sugar certffi-
Gates may be credited to local conditions
ard to Washington advices reaffrming all
that has been previously said as to thc
probable provisions Of the new tariff bill.
A rumor that the particular schedule had
been reached at today's session of the COM
mittee resulted In a sharp attack which
established the lowest price Of the day The
subsequent denial of the rumor attracted
some covering. but buying Of a more sig
ntficant character was nOticeihlv lacking
The decline in Sugar cause1 a sympathetic
decline In all parts of the list. but in most
instances the concessions were only fIac-
tional. The volume of business was small
and reflected no increase in the outside
demand.
The sentiment of the street is more opti-
mistic than otherwise. but confidence is
only expressed and not applied practically
The money saved from the hazardous ex-
Periences Of last year cannot be lured into
similar risks by the mere removal of the
original fears. Something more positive
must be offered as an inducement.
Better times are believed to be ahead
but knowledge and not belief is to be the
Incentive to the next really important
movement Tariff revision will help the
advance. but only after the revision and
Its results are assured.
Ihe declines meanwhile should be neither
frequent nor material. Inaction would
seem 10 be natural, and. therefore, likely
The present Congress cannot he looked tn
for relief in any form; it's final adjourn
ment may consequently attract demon
stration ref1ec ting the prospects under its
successor.
The several properties in which spectal
forces are operative were neglected. owing
to the unsympathetic condition of the gen
eral market. The Northern Pacific issues
We're given good support, however. from
time TO time. and are looked upon as rro-
resenting class of securities likely to he
come conspicuous in the next active move
ment on an ascending scale