Evening star., 1898-04-23
Prices Of Stocks Were Slightly
Stronger Today.
MARKET Was PURELY PROFESSIONAL
Public is Still Keeping Hands or
Of Speculation.
GENERAL MARKET REPORTS
pecial Dispatch to The Evening Star

Special Dispatch to The Evening Star
NEW YORK, April 23.-opening prices
this morning were fractionally aboy,. th,
closing parity. and were given excellent
support throughout the day. London
bought moderately and the short interest
was disposed to curtail risks over Sundav.
The buying for foreign account. as well as
the professional demand at home. was
almost exclusively against previous sales.
lhe scarcity of stock seeking y market
was again the dormant feature of tho trad
ing. The owners Of securities see no reason
Tor sacrificing holdings AT the present Level
strong support is under the market and
the assrcsslN eress OF the depressing party
mas dwlndled TO inconseguential proper
uons. Experience has shown the fgtility of
selling stock with no more pTontabl. result
than reduction of the burrouabl.. stinnly
Liquidation has not been a factor for any
considerable period during the presrnt
Seeh' ana Is not likely to be unless sud-
Denly forced by military reVerses The net
result or the weeks trading has been frac-
uonaly unfavorahle. but considering fha
events or that period. the minimum declines
are evidences of unusual strength. Had the
Cecllne extended To or 3 per cent the
market would have been considered NOR.
natural than at present. Narrowness has
pteh d feature at all times. and no con-
tinrous movements have been recorded
Declines have been stayed, but the buy-
ing has not been voluntary in many in
stances. Arguments fer aggressive buy
iI'S are as scarce as those for active sell
if'S. tnier tn. market there are many
pusihs Cruers, Just as there have been for
weeks. but capital is not losing patience.
1here are many doubtful features i'm the
situation, and there is no rea son for advanc-
ing the limit on contemplated purchases
me pubic does well to leave Wal street
unincumbered in the settlement of lis af-
ialrs' Enthusiasm going to war has less
mercy value than enthusiasm coming
hcme. Investors are disposed to await do
Nelopments. even though they pay a pre-
mlCm Tor their prccaution.
waiting market with alternate rallies
ana declines and largely professional il
ABOUT all the immediate future holds i'm
prospect. "
The hank statement reports an Increase
OF &li?.u25 In the reserve and a decrease
of s2.3r2. 100 in deposits
Ihe specie holdings have increased 81 Sps-
~" ana the legal tenders decreased 81 .,N,
''", making a net Increase of Sa,sr -0o in
lawful money The Increase I'm the gold
supply Is especially encouraging at a tima
when gold premiums are locked unoa "a
an incident of the preparations The settle
Hleht OF the Cuban question from th,. nnan-
cidt stahdpoint has never been NOR. onr,or-
tune tnan now. but it bid fair al ono Time
to be more so In a few months
\ decrease of s.. ~, 100 in loans indicates
a further contraction Of commercial ard
speculative obligations. Money was Offer
ed IN good volume toward the end of IN,
week. but the demand was small. Pur
chases Of stocks on margin arr. small
as the decrease in loans shows What
puylirg there is, reasSuriI.g from The flo
ures OF the above statement Is of m.
strong-box character