The times., 1899-03-25

Mr.. Flowers personal statements that he
believes in immediate higher prices were a
somewhat unexpected matter to the street.
II has been thought that this astute gem
tieman was waiting until April. The
street was none the less pleased because of
It's surprise, however. 1t seems probable
that Mr.. Flower has seen the eagerpess of
the public to buy stocks. and the conf
dence so evident, and that he has drawn
the conclusion that he needs to wait no
longer to secure sufficient backing for his
campaign. To several people he is re-
ported to have stated his bullish views.
His action on these views was evident all
day in the rapidity of the advance of his
stocks. Mr.. Flower alone exerts more in
nuence with the public than any group of
other men. He was the spirit of the bull
campaign of last winter, and the man who
kept the public on the bull side when the
professionals were all advising 10 sell.
Brooklyn Rapid Transit was the fea-
ture of the day again. Despite the rapid
advance of the stock from 90 within the
last three weeks and the consequent fears
of many pessimists, 1t showed no weakness
at any time, but continued to advance,
until the closing quotation OF the day.
The total of the movement was more than
five points, to 113 3-S. Wall Streets has row
become convinced that the stock is des-
tined to go much higher and during the
spurts yesterday ii seemed almost to be
the general belief that there will be no
recessions. The public is getting into the
stock and buying more and more heavily.
Mr.. Flower bought above 112 yesterday
and advised his friends to buy anywhere
below l20 for big profits. More -umors
were floating in the street as to further
acquisitions of franchises by the company.
The other Flower stocks were all active
but the public was most attracted by the
moves in Rock Island, Chicago Gas. and
Atchison. 1t cannot be said that any one of
these was more prominent than the others
Rock Island reached a higher price than
any since the highest of the January BOOM
and although sold during the afternoon
at times, closed strong with full point
net gain for the day. The advance begun
so picturesquely by Peoples Gas on Thurs
day was continued yesterday TO a new high
record for the stock, above 122 The talk of
the Street was that 100 will be reached
within two weeks. Mr.. Flower bought Gas
heavily.
Atchison preferred was strong and buoy
ant ell day. After it struck 81 many ex-
pected TO see ii gravitate back to 80 again
as 1t has done nine times in the last three
weeks. Instead. under heavy buying by
London, and with the aid of Mr. Flower
it was put up TO 81 rs and closed at 81 3-4
Atchison has been a fayorte with careful
observers of the market and with financial
people for several months. 1t is realized
that its intrinsic value is much higher than
the present price, and. in addition to this
fact, the stock has many influential friends
who will not let il lack support at the on
perfume times. st. Paul was very strong
perhaps in sympathy with Rock Island.
n l..
very nearly 130, with the dividend added.
This makes almost the top price for the
stock. The gross earnings of St Paul for
the third week of March were announced
yesterday. They show the same large in
crease as heretofore. The stock on ac-
count of its comparatively low price, con-
sidering the earnings of the company is
a fayorite with a large section of the pub
lie. Ii is not to be doubted that much
higher price will be attained by it this
summer. Burlington was strong, but ad-
vanced none from the high level OF Thurs
day. Chicago Great Western the little
granger has been active for several days.
and although it had no large advance yes
terday. was bought by the public quite
heavily on the prospects of a much higher
level of price.
The anthracite coalers were all strong
yesterday at the high prices reached ON
Thursday. No new developments were an
nounced. The New Jersey Legislature ad-
journed last night and 1t is probable that
Reading first preferred will advance to-
day and next week.
Louisville and Nashville was one of the
features OF the last hour. The stock has
been weak and inactive for weeks past,
and many holders have become disgusted
and sold out. Yesterday. with almost no
warning in the way OF preliminary activity,
it spurted from 64 to 66 SIS in a few min
utes. The close was at 66. Louisville has
been recognized as one OF the stocks GER