Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-13
PAYS THE USUAL DIVIDEND
NO INCREASE YET By WASH
INGToN GAS LIGHT co.

Usually the most common and matter
of-fact announcements made at meetings
of the stock exchange are those which re-
late to the payments of the regular divi-
dends by the corporations whose securi-
ties are listed on the exchange. The pur-
pose is, of course. to give information t.
brokers when the books for the transfer
of stock are opened and closed. and also
to furnish an Official proclamation when
e. change is made in the quarterly or
semi-annual payments.
However. when the announcement OF
the payment Of the quarterly dividend OF
80 cents of the gas company was read
today by the secretary of the exchange
1t seemed to create stir among the men,
bers One of the brokers who appeared
to be likely to know was made the target
for inquiries.
The brokers. among other things. want
ed to know II nothing was TO be done
about the dividend. and had their visit
proved of no avail.
Obscure to the Layman.
All of which. rather unintelligible and
obscure to one unfamiliar with the cur
rent gossip, had reference to an inter
view or conference which. according to
the understanding very general among
brokers, took place yesterday at the ONCE
of the Washington Gas Light Company
between members of the board of direct
ors and several stockholders.
The same authority attributed to the
visitors to the gas company officials two
large proportion of the earnings of the
company be distributed among the stock
holders, either i'm the form of an addition
to the regular dividend or as an extra
dividend. and that a change in the repre-
sentation of the stockholders be made OF
the board Of directors.
The meeting was not public. and no re-
port was made OF what was said. mol
were the names Of those present given
However. the prevailing gossip OF the
street had what was stated in the fore
going as the objects of the visit. and also
that all the members of the board were
present with the exception Of Milton r.
Allies, the attendance including John II
Mclean. Howard s. Reside. Richard II
Mr.. Chapman Explains.
The same authority gave as the stock
holders present Ord Preston. James F.
Barbour and G. Bowie Chapman. There
may have been others present, but if so
their names are not known TO those who
discussed the matter In financial circles.
One Of those reported present admitted
that he was there he being Mr. Chip
man. When asked today what had hap
pened Mr.. Chapman replied:
Il. in company with several other stock
holders. had conference yesterday with
the board Of directors Of the Washington
Gasfight Company. We requested that an
increase be made in the dividend and also
a better representation given to the stock
holders on the board Of directors.
"Our views were given full considera-
ton. and we left with the understanding
that the matters discussed would be con-
sidered by the board. The conference
was entirely harmonious in trying to
reach a settlement of these matters.
''Today's announcement Of the payment
of the regular dividend on the stock of
the company has nothing to do with the
which was promised to be
given by the board of making an increase
in the dividend or paying an extra divi-
dend."