Evening star., 1902-05-27
FINANCE AND TRADE
Coal Strike Discourages Much
Buying.
WESTERN STOCKS DULL
APPREHENSION AS TO THIS
YEARS CEREALS.
Money at ga Per Cent and in Good
Supply-Genersl Con-
ditions.
WESTERN STOCKS DULL
Special pispai,h to The Evening star.

Special Dispatch 20 The Evening star.
NEW YORK. May 27.-Prouounced dull-
ness prevailed in all a, ,partmcnis OF io-
days stock market. There were no new
developments to stimulate trading. and
prices simply driftcd irresularly about the
point OF support
The news from the coal strike continued
to inspire caution. since 1t Is generally rec
ogniZed that crisis will probably be
reached next week
Operators are preparing to protect the
mines should the pumpmcn obey the strike
order, and the employment Of new men may
not be an entirely pe1ceable operation. The
coal shares reflect no significant liquida-
tion. and there IS splendid inside support
whenever needed
Reading issues were inclined 70 heavin,ss
but the selling was not significant in
volume
The higher priced coal shares were too
dull to attract attention and made no ma
terial price changes in consequence. There
was fair market for Penusylv vania around
1i'i2. in which an investment inquiry WAS
reported.
The west appeared to be willing to have
the granger shares sell off and there was
no aggressive buying I'M that group.
I Hion Pacific and ST. Paul sold Off dur
ing the morning. reIapscd Into dullness and
became stationary at the decline. Atchi-
son was dull. but well sustained. an in
crease in current earnings helping the
price Missouri Pacific moved idly around
par, selling a fraction below or a fraction
above. according to the direction OF the
general market
Crop rews was favorable but owing TO
the weight of responsibility resting upon
this years corn harvest. the buying of
stocks proceeds cautiously. The crops are
being anNiously watched now. although
the hot winds of midsummer are most 10
be feared.
The elements Of time and chance are un-
usually potent forces in this years market.
The coal strike emphasizes the influence
of the crop prospects. since tho coal stocks
might otheTwis" lead the market while crop
uncertainty was being reduced To "A known
quantity.
As ii il there is no particular group SO
favored as To rise above tho unsetuinG in
fiuonCes which hang over tn. entire market.
Commission business has fallen OF and
there remains manipulation and pool ma
neuNeTing AS th" only prey entiy~s of stag
nation. There is no inducem"ut to under
take new risks and no knowledge sufii-
GENTLY accurate 10 warrant the hasty
abandonment of long accounts
The market holds because disaster alone
can overthrow the remarkable prosperity
of the country, and investors refuse L. con-
Cede that the many annONarC's in he prs
ent situation lead toward such an end.
| The dullnesS Is accepted as a conservative
method of keeping. near shore. which may
ward off any Necessity for abandoning the
craft. Liquidation being kept hin mini
mum bounds hlsures narrow fluctuations
about equally divided between advances
and declines
The Steel stocks were heavy throughout
the day and the advances recorded yester-
day III car and Foundry and Pressed SteI
Car gave way under profit taking during
The first hour.
Rumors OF consultations between the
railway equipment companies We're AKA n
heard. but lack continuation. American
Sugar was steady. but inside s,iiine in
Amalgamated Copper was reported. Amer
lean Locomotive WAS strong GnGer an in
side demand. in which there was no pub
lie following.
The traction stocks We're given good sup-
port but there WAS little business in them.
he bond market was irregular, but re-
tected fair iuvestmerI inquiry
Money loaned al -, pr cent and was In
good supply q shade ehove that level. The
holidays at the end of the week had a
tendency to check trading, since from
Thursday to Monday many important de-
velopments may take place.