The evening times., 1899-02-10

ing this morning was generally of a more
hopeful character. Talk OF the good re-
cession that had already occurred, ana
of the fact that the market is now IN
stronger hands was heard. The fact that
general conditions are constantly improv-
ing, and that there is little chance lot
tight money was commented on in various
ways The balance Of opinion seemed TO
be that the low price in the decline has
been reached or nearly so. and that the
trend of the market from now on Will De
upward 1t was suggested, however, that
for several days fluctuations are likely to
occur until the public has again become
convinced that the boom is on. The early
movement of the market seemed to bear
out these ideas we'll. After two days OF
advancing prices the undertone was strong
and fractional advances were made In
many stocks There was no rapid move
ment except in one or two instances, but
the gradual marking up of higher quota
tions with few periods OF weakness was
most gratifying. The afternoon, it was
thought, might see some realizing on long
contracts by people unwilling to risk the
chance of bad news during the three days
holiday, but no recessions of Importance
were anticipated.
The grangers wore the leaders of the up
ward movement wi Burlington especial
ly strong. This stock advanced two points
in the first hour and was bought heavily
all the way up, which seemed TO indicate
that it might go higher before the close
of the session. A bull clique is operating
in the stock, and there is much surmise
as to its intentions. The stock sells lex"
on Tuesday and shares bought today re-
ceive the dividend of IL per cent on that
day There is renewed talk of the re-
funding plan for Burlington, but nothing
definite or seemingly authoritative is
heard.
The st. Paul statement for the first week
Of February shows, usual, large gain
in earnings, though it is not such a tre-
mendous advance as those in recent weeks.
The gross for the week increased $59 700
The cold weather has restricted traffic
somewhat. Rock Island was more active
than for several days past and an advance
of point was made in the first hour.
Pacific Mail hesitsted this morning and
it seemed likely that there would be some
realizing in the stock on the strength of
the opposition of Mr.. Cannon to the sub
sidy bill, alluded 10 in this column this
morning. The friends of the company,
however, are confident in their predictions
of higher prices before the end of next
week
There is good buying of Federal Steel
preferred. The dividend Oh the stock is
to be 6 per cent annually, and the first
installment is to be paid in a short time.
The present price of the stock seems very
small, under the circumstances.
The trade war in Tobacco seems Ger
tain to force the price of tobacco stock
ultimately much lower. Conservative
spectators, however, do not care to ven
ture much on tobacco. The manipulation
of the insiders is almost as fine as that
in Sugar.
Mr.. Keene is said 10 be buying stocks
Mr.. Flower also is known to have bought
some Atchison preferred and Federal
Steel.
There is still much bull talk Of Metro
politan Traction, despite the fact that 237
the price reached by il yesterday is the
highest in its history. The Wormsers are
buying the stock.
1t is believed by conservative people
that Southern Railway preferred and Mis-
souri, Pacific. will be among the the first
and most steady stocks in the advance.