Evening star., 1908-01-17
LOCAL FINANCIAL NEWS.

An unusual number of the members OF
the stock exchange attended the meeting
today but judging from the amount OF
business done they were not brought
there to execute orders. Exactly what
the business was that occupied their at
tention for the greater portion OF the
hour is not shown on the official records
of the days trading, nor, in fact, In the
unofficial records.
There was no question of the fact that
the meeting from social point OF view
was highly successful. Owing, no DOUBT
in part, to the bright and inspiring
weather as we'll, also, to the rapid I'M
provement In the financial market ana
the brighter outlook, the general tone OF
those engaged in that line of business Is
much more cheerful than has been the
case. and it is not as hard to smile ana
joke it once was
Smiling faces were the rule and the
interchange of talk and chaff was all
tinctured with good nature. Even the
lend men," as Mr.. Glover termed TWO
of the brokers who occupy seats at the
extreme of the room and indulge in more
or less of what might be termed repartee,
were pleasant and agreeable. SO that
there was nothing to interfere with the
prevailing current of good humor.
Mr. Williams, who is always In good
lumOT, ndQ dQQltlOnaI reason lOudy III
good cheer. as tomorrow he will Gel hrate
his birthday anniversary. and. as usuai.
his friends, without asking any questions
as to the exact number of such annlver-
saries he has celebrated, will help him
to make the occasion an agreeable one.
No doubt the unanimity OF sentiment
that is said to exist among the stockhold-
ers of the Washington Railway Company
in regard to the personnel of the board OF
directors which is to be chosen at the an
had Influence
in bringing about the general good feeling
for this interest is recognized as one of the
most important Of local enterprises, and
the change that is to be made by bring
ing it into the control of local stockhold-
ers is looked upon most promising for
its future.
The committee of stockholders who
asked for proxies. 1t is reported. has
more than enough to elect the ticket. In
fact, it is stated there is no opposition
1t Is thought by some that in the neigh
borhood of one hundred thousand votes
will be cast for the ticket as published.
The prevailing opinion in regard to the
result of the election was again reflected
in the stronger position of the securities
of the company on the market, and while
today the advance was not large one, 1t
was progressive. and adds to the sum Of
the gain already made. which now
low levels in the case of the preferred
stock. and good gain in the case of the
bonds.
The Improvement in the local market is.
of course, but the counterpart of what
is going on in the general market, where
the rates for call money varied yesterday
from 21a to 4 per cent. and for time
money, 5h per cent. and for commercial
paper from 611 to per cent.
The Bank Of England for the second
time since the first of the year has re-
duced its discount rate and it is now back
to per cent. while at the opening Of the
present month it was per cent.
Government Receipts.
National bank notes received today for
redemption, 1858, 500. Government re-