Evening star., 1902-03-25
Weakness in Coalers Due to
Threatened Strike.
BUYING OF ST. PAUL
GOOD BUYING OF TRACTION
SHARES ON CONCESSIONS,
The Market as q Whole Was Dull and
Reactionary Within Named
Limits. .-r.
special Dispatch to The Evening Star.

Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.
NEW YORK. March 25.-Todays market
was IN the main heavy and reactionary
within narrow fractional limits. There was
no new business. and the room was not in
clined TO buy stocks in view OF the Easter
holiday period. The London market was
also apathetic for similar reasons.
The buying which served to hold prices
In yesterdays market was less aggressive
today and prices were permitted to recede
without evidence OF either concern or inter
est on the part OF the larger holdings. This
condition was especially noticeable in the
coal shares, in which there was little sup
port from insiders In spite of realizing sales
by the room.
The strike situation was thought to be
running into complications In view Of the
reference of the disputed points to COM
mittees. This action at least makes for
delay. and the uncertain outcome makes
would-be buyers cautious.
The steel stocks lack snap and seem 70
nieet long stock on every rally. In the
United States Steel Corporation the selling
Is traceable to the new bond issue
In some quarters there Is an effort being
made to explain this heaviness on the
ground that inside interests are buying the
cheap stock, especially the preferred. In orr
der to insure the success OF the bond plan
During the afternoon there was a revival
of the demand for Rock Island, which
seemed to strengthen prices FOR the higher
priced granger shares St. Paul sold down
during the morning under sales by traders
who had bought simply for the dividend.
Later In the day the buying was good in
character coming from sources which have
been noted among the largest buyers earlier
In the year The selling in Onion and
southern Pacifc was regarded as being en-
tirely professional and suggestive Of no
new conditions. Commission houses have
perhaps more inquiries for the two stocks
last named than for any other issues In tho
active list. Earnings are good, and crop
prospects are suggestive Of continued pros
perity.
The manipulation which has been a part
or the daily trading for several weeks was
In evidence today in North American. an
advance to 12J being recorded during the
late afternoon. Several smaller properties
were kept strong through the medium OF
similar methods. Manhattan was strong
as the result Of a mixed demand, ascribed
to the success Of the trial Of the new mo-
tive power.
All OF the Traction shares, but especially
Brooklyn Rapid Transit. are In good de-
mand on all concessions. Money ruled
around AZ per cent, and was In only moder-
ate demand.
Bankers predict stiff rates for the pres
ent, but are not discouraging trading on
that account.
The leading financial interests behind the
railroads themselves are responsible for de-
laying activity until conditions become
more definite. The activity of government
officials in the matter OF all forms of de-
helps to arrest business The lack OF a
quorum at the Anaconda Copper Company
meeting was the only development In tho
copper situation.