The Washington herald., 1912-03-05
WALL STREET NEWS
Troubles Elsewhere on the Globe
Show Logic in Investing Cap
ital in This Country.
BY THOMAS c. sHoTwELL,

New York. March 4-Stocks opened
firmly to-day and maintained strength
to the end Of the session. Net gains were
recorded in most issues. The advance
was based on a genuine Improvement OF
business in this country contrested with
trouble of a serious nature elsewhere
II was argued that here is the only real
ly safe place in the world for the in
yestment Of capital Stability OF the
American list In the face Of the greatest
labor disturbance ever known In England
seemed to bear out this theory.
Political developments also helped the
constructive side of the stock market.
rhe demand for an American army IN
Mexico Is strong. Financiers are paying
more attention TO Mexico just now then
10 the British coal strike. The reason
Is that the confident expressions OF gov
ernment leaders indicate determination
10 see that the struggle is stopped be-
fore there is trade paralysis. The VIC
tory already won by the British miners
points to a quick compromise in the ne
gotIations between the Pennsylvania
mine operators and the men,
May Settle stseI Trust Suit.
Reports Of a plan to settle the steel
trust dissolution suit without going to
trial persisted. although 1t was officially
denied. Such reports would naturally be
denied UP to the time that an agreement
was reached. Many bankers seem to be-
iieve there Is substantial basis for the
report OF an early settlement
They base their belief on the fact that
the trust was willing TO make \ read
sustnent even before the suit was filed.
Political exigencies make settlement
even more desirable now. It would
strengthen Taft by showing something
accomplished. Il would help the trust
by making it less conspicuous in the
campaign and thus Iessening the risk
OF drastic reform of the tariff being de-
manded by the people.
In expectation OF n decision by the Su-
preme Court forcing the Reading Com
pRny to segTegate, stock OF that COM
pany was a leader. 1t got such follow
Ing that the rise held after il became
known that no decisions would be rem
dered to-day. The British strike has re-
suited in a quickening OF all the coal
properties The soft coalers are selling
extra coal and the anthracite companies
are finding their market active as re-
suit of extra supplies being laid up in
fear of a strike.
Stronger Tone in Steel.
Pittsburg reported stronger tone In
the steel market. and some slight ad-
vances in prices are expected. Sears
Roebuck also gave evidence of the i'm
provement OF business by reporting sales
of S7.O25.37 for February, compared with
safes of S5,4SS,SiS last year.
St. Paul made a report for January
fully as bad as anybody expected. 1t is
apparent that the big people in ST. Paul
liquidated on the rise above $50 and down
to 10 so that now they are in position
TO take the stock around these levels in
anticipation of the time two or three
years hence when il will be earning its
dividends.
Much OF the Improvement in the stock
market is due TO the passing OF the
money trust investigation as a serious
proposition. 1t is finally realized that tho
movement is purely political. and tho
care being exercised to select counse
able to uncover the bad spots commends
itself to the street.