Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-02-20
Mexican dollars 471kc.
State bonds inactive.
Railroad bonds irregular.
Government bonds strong.


Stocks. - The oueside public still
refused to manifest any in
terest in the stock market to-
day and operations continued wholly
in the hands of professional traders.
This element made an attempt to force
q continuance of last weeks reaction,
using as their main argument the
drain being made upon the cash. re-
sources of the banks. To-day's state
ment of s~ub-treasury operations show
ed a loss already since Friday to that
institution of $1,421,00 This showing
helped the bears in an early raid on
the market which wiped out the open
ing gains and carried prices generally
below Saturdays closing level. One
or two stocks suffered from individual
causes and helped on the reaction.
Pacific Mail, Peoples Gas and Third
Avenue showed continued weakness
and Pennsylvania was depressed on re-
ports OF a new car trust involving
many million dollars. The bears did
not succeed in bringing out any large
offerings and were driven to cover on
the development of aggressive strength
in several stocks including Sugar,
Rubber, Chicago, Indianapolis & Louis
vile, Tobacco, General Electric, Lack
awanna and Third Avenue. The most
potent factor in the rally was the
very large increase in earnings for the
second week in February shown by a
number of railroads.. Norfolk & West
ern made the most striking exhibit
with an increase over the corresponds
ing period over last year of $133,85S
which is very nearly SO per cent. This
resulted in very large absorption of
~ and had a sympathetic effect on all
the bituminous coal carrying roads
contributing to the rally in Pennsyl-
wanna and Baltimore & Ohio. Toledo
& Ohio Central showed an increase in
earnings of rs per cent for the second
week in February. These evidences Of
the large demand for bituminous coal
were coupled with increase in use of
anthracite in steam production be-
of the difficulty of obtaining soft
coal. The anthracite group showed the
effect of this influence and of publish
ed forecasts of the annual statement of
Lackawanna, which is to be published
tomorrow, intimating a high percent
age Of earnings for the year. In addi-
ton Ontario & Western showed an in
crease Of A per cent in earnings for
the week. In the Southern group,
louisville & Nashville made a show
ing for the week, which was 81 per
cent better than that of last year, the
increase in gross amounting to $780,
1854. All the returns received show
very striking gains though those num-
Grated are the largest. The cotton car
rying roads, especially, showed recov-
cry from the recent low level of earn
ings and were advanced in price in
consequence. The tonic effect Of these
extraordinary earnings proved too
much for the bears and they were fore
ed to over. The continued ease of
call money ranged from 2 to 21h per
cent ~neutralized the alarmistview of
the money market outlook. Some slight
effect was produced also by the reports
of further British successes in South
Africa. Erie Telephone rose buoyant-
ly some s points. Dealings were not
on a large scale and the market fell
very dull before the close but held
quite firm near the close.
Business in bonds showed some fall
ing off in volume and price changes
were miyed. Total sales par value
s1,9s5. 0oO.
United States old As and IS advanced
" and the rs a half in the bid price.
Quotations closed bid: