The age-herald., 1899-08-01
PRICES OPENED
 LOWER IN STOCKS Number of Depressing Influences Were Brought to Bear. THE GROUP OF RAILROADS Iron and Steel Market Was Prosperous Bonds Unchanged or Higher,
 But Did Not Go Lower
 tai Sales $2,474, 900
THE GROUP OF RAILROADS

New York, July 31.-There were number of depressing influences brought to bear on the stock market today and prices opened lower but later there was rally and the close was strong. Most conspicuous of the depressing influences was the report of yellow fever at Hampton, Va Soldiers home. The group of railroads liable to suf- fer from yellow fever epidemic and the re- sulting quarantines have been favorites in the recent speculation, especially on the part of London. A set back to them there- fore, was calculated to have far reaching influence in the general list. L. & N. did, in fact, open down 1A, and the Norfolk & Western stock, Southern Railroad and Chesapeake and Ohio were also depressed and ruled below Saturdays level all day, only fully recovering in the late dealings.
 The exhibit of the associated banks in Saturdays statement also had some unfa- vorable influence in the early dealings. A decrease of nearly 12,0O0 tons in the west bound shipments of freight from Chicago as compared with last weeks movement had rather halting effect on railroads. The ef- feet of these combined influences was to turn the tide of speculation at first from the railroads into the Industrials. The
 
 quite largely bought, but the earliest strength was confined to few of them, Federal Steel, Tennessee Coal, Iron and Steel Wire & American Smelling being the exceptions to the early strength Later the entire group was affected, gains ranging from to 31s, the latter pressed Steel Car. American Tin Plate, American Hoop, Amer ican Car and Foundry and American Smet- ing all shared in the movement. The To- bacco stocks were strong. and Peoples Gas moved upward on the declaration of the quarterly dividend.
 There was early depression in Sugar on a report of additional competition in pros pect, and when this stock rallied strongly 2ss from the low point the last evidence of weakness was dssipated. The strength of railroad stock was much augmented in the late dealings, very heavy blocks being ab- sorbed There was continued buying of Southern Pacific and Central Pacifics, which gained about 3 points each. North ern Pacific, Union Pacific, Athison prefer red, and St. Louis and San Francisco first preferred from 1 to points The coalers were strong throughout and Lackawanna was conspicuous for an upward movement to 6ha points. Pittsburg c. c. & St. L. rose points. Sterling exchange was notably weak actual rates dropping Hc and the posted rates kc. There was an abundance of commercial bills in the market for fu- ture delivery against exports, and the bankers sold short bills against these.
 There was considerable selling of the bonds of the Southwestern Railroad which lost something in prices. Otherwise bond prices were unchanged, or higher Total sales, par value. $2,374 GOO. United States 2's and ss. coupon, advanced < in the bid price.
 New York. July 31-Money on call steady, 3tsGper cent; last loan, ah; prime mercantile paper, 3N@45 per cent; sterling exchange weak. with actual business in bankers bills at s4.S61a@4 S6% for demand and at $4.9314 d4. S31a for sixty days; posted rates, $4S46D4-S5 and S4.S71sGl4.SS; commer- cial bills, $4.S213@4S3; silver certificates, 60k@61; bar silver, 60ss; Mexican dollars 4S.
 Government bonds strong.
 State bonds inactive
 Railroad bonds irregular.
 By Private Wire to Talbott & Palmer