Evening star., 1905-10-23
LOCAL FINANCIAL NEWS.

Some interest has been aroused by the
Increase in the bid for the stock OF the
Washington Safe Deposit Company. OF
which Mr.. w A. Gordon il the president
and Mr.. Samuel Cross the secretary. Dur
ing the past few weeks there has been an
advance of sixteen points in the bio. as IN
the latter part of last month the bid was
60, and now 1t Is rs. There have been no
transactions on the local board. but 1t Is
stated that recently a small block changed
hands at IS.
The rather sudden rise has given ground
for more or less talk and It has been 1nti-
mated that the better prices were due TO
the efforts that are being made to get con-
troll of the company in behalf OF one OF the
existing trust companies. This view is not
held by those who have an opportunity OF
knowing the facts. and while they do not
speak with positiveness. yet 1t Is their
opinion that the better business OF the
company and its Increased earnings are
responsible for this advance.
The stock now pays per cent on 100 and
1t Is thought that under the circumstances
it ought to be quoted at better prices. and
hence it Is believed thta this Is the reason
why 1t has recently been bid up.
Considerable progress was made at the
meeting today Of the stock exchange In
the upward course which was begun several
days ago by the preferred stock of the
Washington Railway and Electric Com
pany. The stock today sold for e3A and
9Sh and an option for 9SA.
On Saturday the highest price paid was
90, while at the close the best bid was
92A and 93N was asked. Today the bid was
93 and the asking price was half point
in advance. The sales amounted TO only
about 200 shares.
The advance movement was also shared
In by the common stock and there was q
good deal more activity In 1t, especially was
the demand good for options, one OF Soo
shares being taken at 43h
The range of prices for the stock was
from 43 to 43M, while on Saturday it was
AZ and 42h Today the closing bid was
43x and "A was asked. while on Saturday
the best bid at the close was 421s. with 42ss
asked. Altogether counting options the
trading aggregated over one thousand
shares.
Gas stock proved to be again an interest
ing factor in the trading. Some three
hundred and fifty shares were traded IN and
with the exception of one lot Of twenty-five
shares, the prices paid were 60 and 6O1s. For
this one lot an eighth of a point in advance
was paid over the last named price. Most
of the stock went for 6O1s, but the selling
was pretty evenly divided between the two
classes.
At one time one hundred shares were Of
fered at COS, but without result. and COS
was bid for options. The bid for fifty
shares was 60. and at the close the bid for
twenty-five shares was 601s and 60A was
asked. The latter was Withdrawn and Co.'s
was substituted.
Mergenthaler to the extent Of about one
hundred shares sold on range of 1870 to
200, the latter notch having been reached
on sale Of ten shares. The advance over
the prices obtained on Saturday was nearly
a point.
Lanston sold from 15h to 1914, with op-
tions at 151s. and Graphophone preferred
from 8 to 91s.
There was some trading in the stock Of
the Union Trust Company-nearly one hun
dred shares. The prices ranged from 144h
ord reached in that security.
Today's Government Receipts.
National bank notes received today for
redemption, 81. 064 sS5; government receipts
from internal revenue, 81 s1,0sO.35S: customs,
$796 $50; miscellaneous, $63, ,2SS; expendi-