The Washington times., 1901-12-22


from different sources.
The talk of the typesetting machines be-
ing put into the Government Printing Of
fee is also heard in connection with
Lanston. 1t is argued by the friends OF
the company that its machine is now
perfected and that the company itself ia
in financial shape to do business in a
businesslike way FOR the first time. The
First National Bank interests that re-
Gently bought into the company are
among the most important in the finan-
cial world, and ii seems entirely prob
able that If the experiment of using ma
chimes were made by the Government the
new Lanston people would have sufllci' Mt
influence TO obtain q trial of their Ia. :
chine.
Hank Dividend RumorS.
The bank and trust company stocks are
the subject of much interesting gossip Re :
Gently. Rumors of larger dividends are
heard with regard to at least three of tue
financial institutions, the Metropolitan
and Columbia National Banks and the
American Security and Trust Company.
The reports made during the past week
to the Comptroller of the Currency were
especially favorable in nearly all in
stances. and bank people generally say
that the business is more prosperous than
ever before.
II is understood that Mr.. Staples, the
largest holder of Columbia Bank stock.
has been in favor of an increase In the
dividend for some months, and that II
would have been made at the last quar-
torly dividend period except for the OPP
position of one or two of the directors.
II is said that these gentlemen have now
been won over TO the increase plan.
The dividend paid by the Metropolitan
Bank people is now 32 per cent, the rate
having been increased from IL per cent in
the last few years since the present man
agement obtained control The statement
is made by a prominent holder of the
stock that the rate next year will be 10
per cent.
Several members of the American Sc
curity and Trust Company have been in
favor Of an increase in the dividend rate
as soon as the surplus and undivided
profits should reach a certain figure. 1t
Is said that the last report 20 the Comp
troller of the Currency showed that this
figure has now been passed.
director OF the Washington Loan and
Trust Company is authority for the state
ment that the annual report of the COM
pany viii show earnings of nearly, If not
quite. II per cent The business OF the
Ing the past two years.
Title Insurance Stocks Strong.
sharp advance in the price OF Dis
trict Title Insurance stock to "a bid and
asked has been one OF the features OF
the recent market The other title in
surance stocks have also been firm. Three
reasons are given for the increased de-
mand for the stocks. II is said that the
business of the companies has increased
wonderfully recently. owing to the re-
vival in the real estate market. and that
some OF the companies, at least. are un-
able TO keep up with their orders on ac-
count of the rush. II is also said that the
attempt TO form a combination of the
title companies has been received. and
that II now seems likely TO be consum-
mated. On the other hand. there is
story that failing TO make this combina-
tion, the District company has decided to
branch out in a number OF ways for new