The evening times., 1899-04-13
LARGE SUNS TIED UP
IN THE BANK VAULTS
Money for Which Investments
Cannot Be Found.
Remarkable Increase in the Amount
Of Deposits.
Suburban Property as Field for In
vestment-Enterpri in
the Colonies.

| A remarkable increase in the amount oi
| deposits is shown by the national bank
| statements Just issued The increase
OF the country, and there is scarcely an
exception.
The increase in Washington in several
instances approximates so per cent above
the amount six months ago. In Baltimore
material increase in deposits is shown by
nearly all Of the banks. One Of the New
York banks reports an aggregate of de-
posits footing up the colossal sum Of $751;
100000. Several others in the same city
report deposits running from ten to thir-
ty millions and more. In Chicago there is
the same relative increase.
so per cent increase is also apparent
in the statements Of such of the deposit
and trust companies as are made public.
The difficulty in securing satisfactory in
vestments is recognized as the main cause
why the money of the people has piled
up in such surprising and almost incred-
ible quantities. There are probably Just
as many opportunities TO put out money
as ever, but many are not of the Kind
which are attractive TO persons desirous
of safe and reliable security and content
with moderate rate Of interest. 1t is
the belief of some that bottom rates Of
interest have not yet been touched.
Two or three of the large real estate
concerns of Washington have a million
dollars at their disposal, which the owners
would be glad for them TO loan on first
class mortgages at 4 1-2 per cent, and
in many instances at per cent. The
stagnation of money at financial centres
and III % ,ita cut
let has doubtless assisted materially in the
development Of so many new trust COM
panies, as investors become impatient OF
their money lying idle. 1t has also been
spur TO speculation. as in the boom and
decline Of stocks on the various exchanges
of late the figures of numerous newcomers
have been apparent.
natural thought is that abundance of
money means prosperity. but. as an emf
nent financier said yesterday, il is active
money. not inactive. that gives impetus
to industry and enterprise. Some months
back il was anticipated that Americas new
colonial connections and possessions would
present such a tempting field for Tro-
spective gain that a considerable propor-
tion OF the surplus capital OF the country
would flow in that direction. This view
SO far has been realized only 10 an ex-
tremely limited degree.
In the meantime those Of experience are
puzzled over the question OF what is TO be
done with the steady accumulations OF that
class not inclined TO stock and grain spec
ulation and averse to merely speculative
ventures OF any character. Take suburban
investments for instance. Beginning with
Washington. with the barely possible ex-
ception of New York. there is scarcely
large city in the East or West where su-
burban improvement and development have
not been pushed beyond the demands OF
population. Great fortunes have been
made in this line. On the other hand.
much money has been lost. 1t is probable
that no further large developments in
Washington suburbs will be attempted in
the near future. II seems certain, how
ever that much money will be invested
cOnservatively in real estate.