Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-17
BULLS AND Be AIRS.
special pl.p.tch to me Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
NEW YORK, December 17.-While It is
thought that the market may recede some
what next week because Of q possible furry
In money in connection with the January 1
disbursements. some speculative interests
look for rather active trading and higher
prices this week. On further bulges in the
stocks which have had the most pro-
nounced advances Recently 1t Is, Of course.
assumed that there will be considerable
proft-taking and moderate temporary reac-
TONS 1t is thought, however, that st.
Paul VIII be a notable exceptions by reason
OF the small floating supply OF the present
outstanding issue and the expectation Of
extremely valuable rights this week or next.
It would not surprise some observers to
see this stock sell considerably higher than
the preferred is now quoted.
= 4
]. c. Stubbs the trafflc director OF the
Hartman lines. who Is in town this morn
ing. indicates that the report regarding the
coal shortage on the Hartman and other
western lines has been considerably exag-
gerated. He says that the actual shortage
Is due to the lack Of foresight on the part OF
consumers in not placing orders sufficiently
early. and also to a lack OF warehouse and
other storage facilities at the principal
terminal points. Still another cause OF the
shortage, according to Mr.. Stubs, IL the
fact that the large consumers require sew
era1 days at least for the unloading of their
consignments of coal. In this way the cars
of the railroads are tied up to an extent
that is a very important factor in the car
situation In view OF the large number OF
cars involved in the movement of coal.
Still another factor in the coal shortage Is
the inability of the railroads to get a
prompt delivery on the large number OF
cars which have been ordered from the
manufacturers. Mr.. Stubs states further
that the open winter has played an impor-
tant part in the coal shortage In the west.
Both large and small consumers. he says.
on account OF the mild weather failed to
place their orders well in advance. and.
furthermore. the mildness OF the weather
has increased the demand for the ship
ment of grain and other commodities.
Hence the shortage OF coal and the short
age OF cars.
OF course. the enormous general business
OF the railroads has been q big factor In this
situation also. From what Mr.. Stubs says,
apparently he has not discovered any signs
OF a material let up in the enormous amount
OF traffic which Is now being offered to the
railroads.
~
Some western railroad interests are Of
the opinion that If the report is true that
the Hartman interests have sold practically
all Of their Great Northern and Northern
Pacific holdings. those two stocks are likely
to have very rapid advance and in due
time sell much above recent prices No
fresh Information is obtainable as to what
the United States Steel directors propose to
do at their meeting next month on the mat
ter Of increasing the common stock divi-
dend. This morning sentiment on this ques-
ton is about equally divided.
One Of the largest Individual holders Of
Brooklyn Rapid Transit has told some OF
his friends that he believes that the direct
ors will declare a dividend within a COM
paratively short time, whether the decision
of the courts in the Coney Island 1O-cent-
fare case is in favor Of the company or not
Some interests close to the MANAGEMENT
say that they would not be surprised to
hear that the company had decided to re-
duce the fare to cents. even II the decision
is In its favor. From still other sources It
Is learned that inside interests in the Met
ropolitan-Interborough and the local gas
companies are not as apprehensive as they
were month ago as to what the new state
administration may do in the way OF In