The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-03-25
FINANCE AND COMMERC E.
CURRENT NEWS AND GOSSIP
OF INTEREST TO INVESTORS

There is a great deal of bullish sen
timent on Brooklyn Rapid Transit
voiced by brokerage houses Just now. but
they do not reveal the secret OF their
optimism. Some give facts and figures
and so forth, but they seem to reserve
for their own special comfort the main
inspiration Of their bulIish enthusiasm.
Others who are asked why they are en-
thusiastic say their sentiments merely
reflect possibilities. II is known that
the insiders in Brooklyn Rapid Transit
are aware of certain definite plans that
have been worked out with the primary
purpose OF adding materially TO the
revenues Of the company. and these
plans, being entirely feasible and likely
to be put into effect within a compare
lively short time. are construed as
prime bull argument on the securities.
One Of these insiders said today that
Interesting developments" were i'm
minent.
Gossip is busy with the possibility
of dividends in Colorado Fuel and Iron,
and 1t is suggested that dividends will
be resumed In a short time. This Ques-
! ton of dividends was the original bone
of contention which precipitated the
war on Osgood by the Gates contingent
| The Gates party was bulIing the stock
when the Osgood directors calmly pass
ed the dividend The result is ancient
history, and when anyone undertakes
TO stir the matter up now ne takes
long stick. There is a great deal OF
money still needed TO complete improve
ments. but in their wisdom the direc-
tors Will determine whether or not
there is enough available for dividends.
Nothing has been heard for some
/ time OF those two belated suits. one
| against the Alton and the other against
/ the Rock Island. which were begun
some time since. That against the Al
ton was several years behind hand. The
/ Rock Island suit was begun in some
/ what better time and excited interest
/ until some one published the title of
| the suit giving the names OF the liu
/ giants and some inside facts. No one
has paid any attention to It since. and
/ 1t is doubtful II the trial OF the suit
/ will attract any attention Governor
| Cummins. of Iowa, had the legality OF
]
| thoroughly tested when II was first
put into effect. and the attorney gen
eraI Of the State declared there was
absolutely nothing on which suit could
be based as the plan violated no law.
| Evidence accumulates that there Is a
plethora OF bull pools and other artif-
ciaI stimuIators OF prices in the street.
their activity being curtailed by ad-
verse conditions in the money market
and the discouraging influences exercised
by the banks. That their intentions are
in accord with the purpose for which
they were organized is obvious enough
and they have tested the market at
various times. II all the rumors be true,
there must be a pool somewhere for
every security listed and for some OF
them there must be two or three. The
tendency to exaggeration. however. IL a
natural result OF the existence OF few
pools. Why, IL is even rumored that q
pool has been formed in international
| Power with the ayowed purpose OF re-
peating history. blooming out a few
pages, OF course. and taking care that no
mischievous small boy is around with
a pin when the balloon is ready TO
ascend. Those who ought TO know deny
this and are virtuously indignant at
! such rumors II is too absurd. they say,
and then the street has a long memory.