The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-07-12
WASHINGTON SHARES
FIRM AND INACTIVE
Public Utility Corporation
Earnings Thought to Show
Gratifying Increase.

The local stock market does not pre-
sent much on which TO hang interest
ing comment at the end OF the week
The Washington exchange was closed
yesterday, pursuant 70 the midsummer
holiday on Saturdays. At the meeting
Of the exchange on Friday business
was largely OF fragmentary character.
composed Of a bunch OF little trades 70
close small orders that had been hang
ing fire FOR several days.
The prices of local stocks and bonds
have changed but little during the week.
traction shares. gas. the banks, and
insurance shares remaining steady and
firm. Sales. for the reason that hold
ers Of stock are unwilling 10 sell at
prevailing prices, have been limited Ii
volume, and the market has been prac-
tically at 4 deadlock on that account.
The earnings Of the railway and light
ing companies are believed to be show
ing 4 favorable increase ov-r last year.
The railways have about Al. he busi-
ness the present equipment can accom-
modate- The usual amount Of complaint
about the crowded condition Of the
suburban aud some Of the city lines is
alike have faith in the supervisory pow
ers to be exercised BY the Interstate
Commerce Commission, through its spe-
cial 'railway board" Il is assumed
that when the recommendations of the
board begin to maJerialize they viii be
just 20 corporations, as well as salts
flying 10 the public.
Thinks DiYiderds Are Safe.
As a consequence of the situation. the
prospect is that the earning power Of
the railroads viii not be impaired. The
feeling IS that DIVIDENDS viii DC earned
and paid promptly, as in the past, and
that the railways will have money left
for the necessary changes Of equipment
that may be required by the commits
sion
The banks and financial institutions
are sOlidity itself. and there IS nothing,
prospective or otherwise. to arouse the
slightest anxiety regarding bank shares,
even of the younger institutions
A small element of uncertainty exists
IN the insurance field over the disagree
mentS that have existed Tor a long
while among the agents, aid which
have affected TO some extent the de-
liberations of the board Of underwriters
AS yet, however. this has not affected
the value of the local insurance shares.
II is understood that the affairs OF the
Columbia Company viii soon be ad-
justed in a manner to satisfy the stock
holders and all concerned
Outlook Is Good.
AS a result the local stock market
has everything IN it's favor as 20 the
stability of prices. and the activity Of
business may be expected 10 take care
Of itself as time advances. The situa-
ton is sggravating enough 20 brokers
who are endeavOrins 10 buy stocks 20
I'LL their orders, but unless they are
willing 70 move their Bids up u the
value put upon the securities by the
holders there is not much hope OF ac-
tive business
The investment in the bonds Of the
local public utility corporations goes on
apace-
The outlook for the market for this
week is not specially encouraging as
regards the activity OF trading. but
there seems not the slightest likelihood
OF any fall In prices On the contrary.
the expectation IS that they will graiu-
ally go higher.