The times., 1900-12-23

| mon and the preferred, have been decIn-
| ing in price very steadily for several
years, and especially during the past six
months has their tumble been rapid. This
has given rise to various surmises. and
| 1t has given stockholders an especial de-
| sire to learn accurately the condition of
| the company's business. With the final
| tumble of the preferred stock TO par this
week this desire became more than
| usually eager.
| The annual meeting OF the stockholders
was held in New York on Thursday. A
number of Washington stockholders at
tended the meeting and the report was
J current that they were attending in a
! body as a committee from the local in
J yestors. This was denied by some Of
| them at least, including Mr.. Bell, of the
| American Security AMI Trust Company
Two or three different stories are told
! as to what these stockholders found. They
are reticent. 1t is understood that the
dividends are to be paid as usual during
the coming year. One statement made is
| that money will be borrowed for this pur-
pose. Another statement is that the divi-
dends have been earned but not much
more. On the other hand a semi-oflicial
statement was put out by the company
few weeks ago that its affairs are in
more prosperous condition than ever be-
fore.
One complaint against the company
heard frequently. Is that its operating ex-
penses are at entirely too high ratio
to its gross receipts. The annual reports
Of the company in the past have shed
very little light on this subject, and they
have been criticised severely for their
vagueness. What information the public
has secured regarding the gross and net
earnings and operating expenses has been
obtained through other than official
sources. 1t is hope expressed by many
stockholders that the full annual report,
when published. will be fuller and more
explicit on these points.
There was sudden burst of activity
in Lanston Monotype on Friday on the
local stock exchange that attracted some
attention. More than $500 shares were
traded in, but the price was not much af
feeted either way. 1t Is of somewhat
from the price of a week ago, however,
What the buying and selling meant even
the brokers who executed the orders do
not know, or. at least, do not seem in
clined to tell.
More interesting rumors are afoat re-
garding the affairs OF the Washington
Traction and Electric Company. officers
OF the company decline absolutely 10 talk.
One story is to the effect that the Boston
has obtained control of the company. An
other story locates the new syndicate in
New York There Is no especial reason
for crediting these rumors except that
they are SO persistent. Other whispers
in f Street are of contemplated changes
among the officials OF the company due to
friction regarding negotiations for the
transfer of the control Regarding these
rumors the officers also refuse to make
any statement.
The negotiations looking to a consoli-
dation Of the local title insurance COM
panies have not made much progress dur
ing the past week. 1t is said, however,
that the outlook for the success of the |
plan is good. Il has been evident to peo-
pie familiar with the title insurance field
for some time that a combination was
the proper course. None of the compa-
nies is understood to be earning any
money separately With one office force
instead OF four il is evident that the
situation would be much more promising |