Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-11
TWO LOCAL COMPANIES
Some Of the Current Gossip in Regard to
Them.
Continuance of the Prices for Capital
Traction and Gas stock
Excite Comment.

The daily sessions of the Washington
stock exchange are now attended by a
handful Of members only and the transac-
lions are down to about the minimum The
absence Of the investing public. of course.
makes business slack, and so the members
very largely are enjoying, away from the
city, season of rest and change. The
prices maintained both for gas and Capt.
tai Traction stock are the features of
slim market, and are looked upon as re-
markedly stiff. considering the time Of the
year.
1t is thought that both of these stocks
are influenced by current but vague rumors
that an effort is to be made to purchase
them. In the case of the Capital Traction
Company it is claimed by some that the
| interests which bought the other street
railroads in the District are also willing
to pay good price for that companys
stock, and they even go so far as to as
sert that offer of this character was re-
Gently made
On the other hand. those who are sup
posed to know something of the inten-
tons of those controlling the new system
OF roads express the emphatic opinion that
no offer has been made for the road, and
that none will be made. 1t is admitted that
If the stock could be obtained at a figure
which is far beneath the present market
price proposition to purchase might be
made by those who are operating the other
roads.
Looking After Earnings.
1t is said that those in charge of the af-
fairs of the new company are addressing
their attention just now to getting the
properties in shape so that the earning
capacity will be properly developed, rather
than looking out for additional roads. On
the other hand, it is claimed for the Capital
Traction Company that ii is doing a rush
ing business, and that its earnings now
amount to what would be equal to a divi-
dend of per cent, which fact is thought
ought to account for the present market
price. Inquiring stockholders are advised
by those inside not to sell at present, and
they are assured that no proposition for
the purchase of the road will be accepted
that will not give every stakeholder an
opportunity to sell at the best price Of
fered. In brief, the above seems to be
about all the Information that is on the
street in regard to this stock.
Gas Company Affairs.
AS to the gas company. while the contin-
uance of the present price is attributed to
an alleged purpose on the part of some par
ties to again attempt the purchase of the
stock, on the contrary there is little that
is definite-in fact nothing except mere
| rumor-to depend on. For that reason there
is not much credence placed on the reported
revival of the recent syndicate scheme. 1t
is thought that maintenance of the present
prices may be due TO the fact that some
new and rather heavy buyers have come in
to the market recently and owing to their
purchases, most Of what is known as float
ing stock has been absorbed so that there
is but little on the market. 1t is thought
that good share of the money received in
the sale of the Metropolitan railroad has
been reinvested in gas stock.