The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-11-18

The gross railway earnings showing for
the first week of November is of gain, but
not a large one. The total earnings Of
sixty-two lines during the week was 49,
542, 1876. The gains during the week were
1919 o6S, and the decreases in the game
period were S212. 116, leaving a balance OF
Sc, 1872 increase, or only 007 per cent The
gross earnings during the last week Of DC
tober on the other hand. show very
heavy increase over the same week year
ago the largest in recent months. The
total earnings of seventy-one lines were
SIG, 492, S62, a gain of 81, 60 113, or liz per
cent When this record is considered in
connection with the fact that last years
earnings at this period were phenomenally
heavy, 1t will be seen that ii is particu
larly gratifying. The st. Paul and one or
two other systems in the wheat belt are
responsible for the greater part OF the de-
creases in earnings, and If it were not for
these lines the percentage OF increase
would be very much greater. The St Paul,
it will be remembered. can afford to show
decrease compared with last year, and
still be one of the most profitable railway
systems in the country.
One Of the deals that is likely to be an
nounced early in the future and to be fol-
lowed as well as preceded by handsome ad-
vances in prices is that among the Eastern
railway lines, which will give the Balti-
more and Ohio and the Pennsylvania con-
troll Of nearly everything. but especially of
Jersey Central and Reading, and give the
Baltimore and Ohio the Jersey Central
terminals at Jersey City. There have been
hints along this line for some months past.
and recently the talk regarding Jersey Cen
trail has begun to assume definite shape. 1t
may be announced on authority that should
ha raoardad nc irranrnachable that this
deal is well under way, and will be carried
through without doubt. 1t will be OF great
Importance to all of these companies, and
their securities. and there is little reason
to doubt that Reading first preferred and
Baltimore and Ohio will have as large ad-
vances as Jersey Central has had already.
PENNSYLVANIA is booming handsomely, but
it. too. is expected to sell twenty points
higher before many weeks have passed.
In the same way there is little reason
to doubt that the Nanderbilts Will carry
through their pet trans-continental rail-
way scheme during the coming winter.
This plan has been hobby of the family
fo- many years. At present they are buy
ing the Union Pacific securities heavily To-
control ana ing ,l iil1 already have
Secured such control. These securities
already have advanced to record breaking
prices, but people who should know ex-
press the opinion that they will sell much
higher. II is not unreasonable to look
for particular buoyancy in the common
stock, and some conservative people say
that 1t will sell above the preferred on
its earnings and dividend prospects. The
preferred is now receiving its full divi-
dend, while the common is entitled to as
much as the management can pay 1t.
-
The developments in Southern Pacific
have been important. and it Is believed
that the advance in the stock. which has
been rattle. slow up to the present, viii
he accelerated next week. Concerning
Missouri Pacific. also. there is much bull
lsh talk. based on the fine earnings OF th'
company and t;as possibility OF oiVioeho
Sugar hangs back In the advance In 3
way that IL very disappointing to the bis
public that usually specria;es In 1t when