Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-24
The World Of
Finance and Trade
LOCAL FINANCIAL NEWS.

After holiday of two days the daily
sessions of the stock exchange were re-
sumed today. but the rest did not seem
to have the effect of invigorating the
trading. In fact the lack of orders
seemed to be quite general, and while.
during the early part of the CALL it APP
peared as If the prices could be made to
suit the fancy of any one who wanted to.
yet there were some surprises in store
for all hands
The two most active stocks on the entire
list, the preferred and the common of the
Washington Railway and Electric Com
pany. went in opposite directions, the pre-
ferred going off from the figures last
reached and the common maintaining its
ground.
The only other two similar securities on
the list that cut any figure at all in the
trading were American Security and Trust
Company and Lanston.
The former caused a surprising amount
Of fuss and for time scene somewhat
resembling the one when there are eager
buyers for common for Lanston.
In the case of American Security and
Trust Company stock all the hubbub was
created by two brokers, who suddenly took
notion to give four points above their
bid price and take the stock that had been
offered al $50.
After affairs had quieted down some
what 1t was found. to the surprise of near
ly every one, that only thirty-five shares
had been traded in. 1t was supposed from
the commotion that was kicked up that
heavy trading was going
However, the bid was maintained in the
same level and the stock at the above was
offered for sale at 254. After call some
sixty shares were sold at go.
There was some lively trading done in
Lanston, and the aggregate of the sales
reached 400 shares. About one-half of
the total sold fors 147s and the balance for
to be had at e147s and FAX was bid. On
Thursday the bid was 15h and 15A was
asked.
except the sale of five shares at 1876. After
that the stock waste be had at 1854. and
l94 was bid. On Thursday the bid was
1925 and the asking price 1877.
Since that date the announcement has
been made of the purchase of the Monoline
company by the Mergenthaler A cash con-
sideration. 1t IS stated, was agreed upon
instead Of arranging to pay in Mergen-
the case
The authority recently given to increase
the capital stock was generally supposed
to be required in order to provide the
iHedilS iof buying the MOnOline ana pos
sbly other interests. The new stock is in
the treasury ~and undoubtedly there will be
some inquiry made by stockholders as to
what uses the company intends to put it to.
If the directors need suggestions they can
get them. some of the shareholders think
that 1t would be a good thing to pay a
stock dividend. sa.
There are also those who are of the opin-
ion that 1t would be possible to buy up the
Lanston This latter possibility may now
take the place of the hoped-for announce
ment of a Lanston dividend, which seems
to be disposed of until next year.
There was good deal of trading in Trac-
ton stock; that is, In comparison with what
Is usually done, and the result was that
while odd lots were taken at 1425s and 143
the figures paid for quotation lots were lab
and 1925. The aggregate OF the sales was
about sixty shares.
An offer was made to buy or sell the
stock at 1929. but without result. At the
close 143 was bid and 1872 was asked.