The evening times., 1900-02-07

Dealings in the Stock Market This morning were
characterized by some hesitation. The opening
prices were above the close OF yesterday ia SYM
pathy with London purchases Of American se-
cuHties, but somewhat heavy realizing occurred
during the first h0ur or more with the result that
declines OF from small fraction 70 q point or
more TOOK place As might have been expected
perhaps, Sugar was strong Oh covering o5 shorts.
while the remainder oi the market showed the
first signs OF rcs,..yn Tor several DAYS. Il ad-
y&nced three points OF more g. above III. Opin-
ion 20 the immediate course os the market
was yaric', but perhaps the most Conservative
idea was hat a reaction was due today and pos
,ibly tomorrow though not an Important one.
Il viii do no harm 90 have the small new people
iH The market take thlir profits from day 60 day
Before the end Of the week th, upward course
OF prices should begin again steadily and strong
ly. News oi al kinds continues eNcllIent
There is much comment smoae ths people v.ho
usually know what they are taI5iag about over
the recent activity of Mr. Whitney and his asso-
cates. It was the fashion a few weeks ago %
say that Mg. Whitney had been well nigh rulaed
by the December tumble in prices but an judi-
cations now are that instead Of that he was az
that time d buyer Of immense Hooks al the low
est prices Il Is also said that Q and his friends
vance in prices after hey had secured al The
stocks the, desired. All this harmoufzes we'll
with the most careful estimates Of Mr.. Whitney's
business ability while the alleged ruin Of two
months ago did not by any means. There seems
a very good possibility that the gentleman may
be the leader OF the present bull market. A de
tcrmincd and skilliul leader is What il has needed
for some time past.
The grsugers were again perhaps the strongest
group in the general market this meuing sugar
alone excepted u is now said thar the ST. Paul
directors have decided finally TO pay a large di-
yidend, either sn extra or a formal regular in
crease 10 per cent. This with the immense in
crease in gross earnings shown by the system in
January, and the reports Of the oficers Of the
company that grain traffic is increasing steadily
causing much enthusiastic bullishncss regard
ing the stock II sold well above l25 this morn
ing and friends Of the company state that it VIII
probably reach 100 in the next few days Bur
lngton and Rock Isllnd were not quite so buoy.
ant, but both made gains in the first half hour.
Atchison, preferred, was also strong and in the
case OF tins stock also it may be mentioned that
it is helped by excellent reports OF increasing
! traffic returns
There is also talk OF an increase in the Penn
| sylyanis dividend rate IN the near future The
increase in the soft coal rate on the lst OF April
will mean large gain in net earnings, which,
with the already immense surplus OF earnings
over dividend requirements would seem TO make
a raise in the dividend disbursements only q
matter Of fairness 10 the stockholders The stock
was opened with a good advance this morning.
but declined iIactionaHy with the remainder Of
: the market
| The New York Central gross earnings for Jsnu-
ary were A.25O.3l9, an Increase of $3.50. i59 The
increase OF earnings up to the present time this
I year has been S4, 100000 or more.
| The Union Pacific directors will meet tomor-
TOW TO take action on tie dividend question.
and it is considered probable that something will
be done for the common stock. The stock ad-
| vanced TO within a small fraction Of 80 thi.
morning.
| Sugar, which Yesterday sold as low as Jos 10
was advanced tins morning to above III on cover.
| ing Of short contracts. II impossible q
form any idea as TO what the next move Of tn,
stock would be-
]