Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-14
HEARD ON CHANGE

been done recently is not as large as the
brokers are accustomed to when the market
| is active still the attendance at the daily
meetings has not fallen off and general
good nature prevails. It is difficult to I'M
derstand why men who are supposed to be
busy are able to find time to take an hour
in the middle of the day, when they cannot
expect to be rewarded for its loss in money,
at least by the commissions they earn at
the daily sessions of the stock board.
At the same time it is good thing they
do, for it must be a relief from the strain
that all men in active affairs are under, and
they get a little recreation in the midst OF
a business day.
The form of doing business is always re-
spected and the call is made, although in
the latter opera ton the presiding officer has
to resort to various tactics to secure
hearing for even a portion Of the time.
Mr.. HibbS has been occupying the chair
of the presiding officer for SO long period
now that ii is evident some of the members
don't realize the yeXation that he almost
daily endures in calling vainly for bids
which do not come, because the brokers are
thinking about other things or engaged in
conversation. In the meantime the presi-
dent Is wearing out his voice in the at
tempt to make himself heard while COM
pleting the call.
The other day Mr.. Bell took the chair in
the absence of Mp. Hlbhs, and when the
latter came in he asked Mr.. Bell to go on
The board pursued its usual way. and IN
the babel of voices Mr.. Bell was heard to
say, after a while. in tones of despair:
Il can sympathiZe with you, Mr. Hibbs, in
your efforts TO get attention"
The above is a reasonably accurate report
of what MIR. Bell said, only he said Billy
as it seems to be one of the unwritten laws
in regard TO the meetings that Christian
names should be used exclusively between
members. SO 1t is that one hears Charley
and Billy and TON" and through
the list. 1t is little startling at first to
one that is not used to Washington ways,
but like everything else, one can get used
to it. and, after all, 1t saves time and
words.
1t is likely things will begin to move on
the stock exchange after awhile, but exact
ly what form or direction that move Will
take is one of those things which every
body likes to know but which no one knows
with any accuracy. 1t does not seem that
there is very much that can happen in the
way of radical changes in the relations Of
corporations and companies whose securi-
ties are represented the list or in the
scope of the business done by them.
The changes in the national banks seem
to have been about concluded for the pres
ent, although some of the plans that have
already been discussed first in the. privacy
of some back Office and then from one office
10 the other, forming what is known as the
out presumably when the time seems to be
ripe.
It is not probable that any additions will
be made to the number of national banks
for some time to come and 1t is likely that
all that is TO be done In the way of adding
to the number of savings banks has been
accomplished, for the present at least
1t may be that trust company will be
organized soon, but otherwise the horoscope
of the local banking world does not seem
to contain much for the immediate future.
The impression seems to be that some
thing may be expected in the streeta rail-
road situation, but 1t does not appear that
anything will materialize until the COM
panies get through Congress what they
want in the way of extensions.
One trouble a a time probably expresses
the philosophy of these corporations on this
/ subject. AT the same time 1t is interestinA
to those who are on the outside of the cor
poration fence, and naturally they want to
get as early an mixing as possible of what
is proposed to be done.
Everything in that line, or, In fact most
any other line. by the corporations has an
influence on the stock market, and there
are, of course, people who carry securities
on margins and endeavor In this way to
learn an honest dollar and inside irlfor-
nation is what they want and must have
| in their business.
Then there Is the gas company. which Is
| liable most any time to furnish materfa,
for market activity, and 1t may be that
something may be expected from that
source during the coming months that will
contribute to the gayety of conditions
Perhaps the telephone company will
awaken from the iethargy which the ex-
tenstye improvements has thrown over any
/ activity in its securities. and may again
figure as, one of the active factors In the
local market.
Of course Lanston and Mergenthaier are