The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-02
PRICES OF STOCKS
 MOVE UPWARDS Days Movement, However, Was
 Not Uniform NO DEFINED WEAK SP0IS Revival of Confidence That the North ern Securities Decision Was lmnl- nent. But Uncertainty Is Pro
 fessed as to Character.
NO DEFINED WEAK SPOIS

New York, December 1.-Prices moved Upwards in the opening dealings in stocks today. in a fairly uniform manner But That was the last of uniformity in the days market There were many strong tpots, and they were developed in TO- katlon. spreading the effect of the strength throughout the session of the etock exchange. but the general list did hot become animated at any time, and khe days business was considerably con kracted from the recent average.
 Some of the most notable features of fecent advances were laggard, or in- elined to sag on light offerings As against the sharp gains in special stocks khere were no well defined weak spots, but only dullness and heaviness There ss still unabated confidence that the tran guilty of the money market Is not to De disturbed by the year-end requirements although It is commonly expected that rates will work somewhat closer. So long as money rates remain easy, there seems nothing that can disturD specula- five confidence in the present market.
 There was a revival of confidence that dhe Northern Securities decision was im- mediately imminent, but some uncertain 1y was professed as to what its char ncter would be. for this served to in duce some hesitation, rather than the stimulative speculation as has usually been the case The strength of St. Paul was generally attributed however, to hope of an early decision of the secur- ites case. The most notable advances were divided between stocks in many high grade classes, and those of little tried and suspected issues. This ap- parent anomaly is easier to understand when it is considered that both classes of stocks are likely to be not widely distributed, and in consequence easy to move.
 The junior vanderbilts were conspicu- pus examples of the class today. A dis tinctly detected absorption for invest ment of this group of stocks Is of great er sentimental effect on the market for securities than almost any other act which could be named in the operations of the market For this reason a con certed advance in the group of favorite device of market leaders to help along the rest of the market by sympathy The rapid manner in which these prices were advanced today was sufficient to mark the movement as suspected, the railroad investor. as has been truly observed, not following the manner of a bargain count Hr rush to secure his holdings
 The active trading at receding prices in cotton helped railroads which have a large traffic in that commodity, and Hi nois Central and the additional advantage pf a sale of $12,0OOOO of it's bonds. The rise in Amalgamated copper was based pn rumors of an intended increase in the dividend on one of its subsidiary com panies, Railroad earnings reported were generally favorable. The conclusion of the London settlement occasioned a fa- vorable influence from that source. The December first settlements here, and the payment of a s20,0OO.0OO installment on Southern Pacific preferred stock, induced frmer tone both for call and time loans. But this was not an effective in- fiuence in the stock market. The reac- tlonary tendency became fairly general however, late in the day, and the closing was weak, and generally below last nights level of prices.
 Bonds were easier. Total sales, par value, $7,S05000. United States new 4s coupon, advanced A per cent on call.