The age-herald., 1899-05-04
STOCK MARKET
 WAS UNCERTAIN
Weakness of CoaIers Was on
 Heavy Sales of Holders.
STEEL AND WIRE STOCKS
Displayed Firmness on Belief of Con- solidation of Interests-Gene RailwaysList Was Fraction-
 ally Lower.

New York, May 3.-The stock market moved in an uncertain manner and left off generally lower today, with declines most accentuated in the coalers, Consolidated Gas, Sugar and American Spirits. Commits sion house business was small and London and number of professionals realized profits stocks bought at the low figure yesterday.
 Much of the buying appeared to. beA cov- ering of shorts. The early trading contin- ued the strength of yesterdays closing, but realizing and sales on the the theory that the rise had been too rapid took the snap out of the market. The weakness of coalers was on heavy sales by prominent holder, who had been carrying long line of these properties. Disappointment was expressed in some quarters that no an- nouncement was forthcoming concerning a coal deal, now that the New Jersey legis- lature has been adjourned for some time The steel and wire stocks displayed firm ness on the belief that negotiations were pending to consolidate number of these properties. Although .ia a.llng pgfssitiISGe as as % the details could be learned it is said that a capitalization of over half billion dollars contemplated. The application of American Steel and Wire to be listed by the stock exchange together with dividend gossip was an aid to that stock. Brooklyn Rapid Transit fuctuated wildly and closed with over a point advance. Peoples Gas and Pacific Mail were also strong.
 The general railway list was fraetionally lower. Consolidated Gas recovered some what, but on the increase of gas prices it again broke several points and closed nearly off on the day. The arrangement to retire the first preferred stock of Min neapoliS and St. Louis caused rise Of over 4 points in the second preferred. The clos ing of pool accounts in American Spirits 5 and Sugar was said to account for the weakness in these properties. The market closed weak. Most of the prominent bonds issues scored Improvements today with the advance quite marked in some cases. Total sales, $2,150,000.
 United States s's coupon and the new advanced 1s in the bid price.
 The total sales of stocks today were 53S, ,75O shares, including American Spirits, $500; American Steel Hoop, 7,500; do pre- ferred, 3,60O; American Steel and Wire, 62,- 6e0; American Sugar, $500; American Tin Plate, 3,400 Atchison $500; do preferred, 10,2O0; Brooklyn Transit, 65,2O0; Burlington, F, 700; Chicago Consolidated Traction, 6,7OO; Chicago Great Western, 4,30O; Consolidated Gas, 9,1OO; Continental Tobacco, 21000;
  Louisville and Nashville, 1000; Manhattan, 22 700; Metropolitan, $500; Missouri Pacific, 5,2OO; New York Central, 3,200; Northern, 7,- 500; Peoples Gas 3S,500; Reading, 6,2OO; do first. preferred, H200; Rock Island, 3,70O; St. Paul, 72,6Go; Southern Railway prefer red, 3,3OO Tennessee Coal and Iron, 4,0Oo; Union Pacific i, ,000.
 Money on call 4q5 per cent; last loan, per cent.
 Prime mercantile paper, 31a@4A per cent.
 Sterling exchange, easier, with actual business in bankers bills at $4S1124ShSIA for demand and at $4.S5l2@S4.S5A for sixty days.
 Posted rates, s4.S61s and $4.S74.
 Commercial bills, s4.S41a@$4S5. ..
 Silver certificates, 621sQ6SA. ,t.
 Mexican dollars, 4S12. ttf
 Bar silver. slZs. ...uo,,.. 4ziEeia
 State bonds inactive. i!'st 4 t'i
 Railroad bonds strong.
 (By Private Wire to Paine, Murphy 6 Co.l