The Washington herald., 1913-05-04

New oTh StocNs.
Saturdays market was more OF less
negative in character, so far as action
ar fluctuations were concerned. The
bears did not show any uneasiness save
here and there. while both declines ana
gains were limited and not worthy OF
special attention.
The Street was hopeful of more I'M
portant and satisfying foreign news Win
the advent of Monday. while the change
i'm the personnel of the Interstate COM
merce Commission, through the shil'ihs
of Commissioner Lane to the mead OF
the Department of the Interior, encouf-
ages the belief that perhaps the ran
roads NAV be successful in their thiro
attempt TO obtain per cent increase
in freight rates.
Labor Troubles.
With all their other troubles the rail-
roads are again threatened with seri-
Gus strike, vote having been ordered
because of the refusal to arbitrate. the
vote. if one may judge by all previous
votes is but a needless proceeding, be-
ing sure to result in the Affirmative
With tariff changes, disposition to
restrict business operations, labor trou-
lies that are insistent and largely In
spired by foreign elements. there Is no
favorable outlook in the situation but
the crop prospects On the government
crop report next week much depends.
II is even possible that the supreme
Court may surprise Wall Street on Mon
dav nv handing down a decision in some
hn
the Union Pacific bargain sale of South
ern Pacific stock to July ], or even max
ing II plain Just what its views are in
the DELAYED and famous Minnesota rate
case.
Without some Of these opportune
propositions and settlement OF the
troubles abroad, there would not be much
nope for the weeks market.
Loss of 3-Sa1-2 point were sustained in
most of the usually active leaders and
Is in Canadian Pacific. These were the
radical changes. Steel lost but 3-S ana
Union Pacific like fraction. Mop
was 1-2 off. Steel preferred was strong
moving up "a.
Local stocks Quiet.
The Saturday session was not attend
ed by activity in anything, 30 shares
of Union Trust stock at 135 1-2 to
1s5 rs being the most actively displayed
anywhere.
A drop of a point was made in Capital
Traction, which has been under the
hammer for a day or two, a sale being
made at 121.
Railway shares were nominal.
Steamboat stock 2o2 1-2, Mergenthaler
went at 215; Lanston, As bid.
Washington Gas unchanged, "a 3-4aS5.
Bonds steady.
The Difference.
A local publication takes the Wash
ington Utilities Commission to task for
not having taken action in the matter
of physical valuation in contrast to the
initiatory efforts of the Interstate Com
merce Commission in the same line.
The Interstate Commerce Commission
is fully organized in every branch and
department and has been a going body
for several years.
The Washington Utilities Commission,
is not even permanently organized But
one Commissioner has been appointed.
Commissioner Rudolph is simply hold
over until his successor is appointed and
Commissioner Johnston, also hold
over, is debarred from sitting as a
member Of the Utilities Commission, SO
that there are but two members and
the delay in appointing Commissioners
has been largely responsible for failure
TO get busy-every day expecting APP
pointments.
Moreover the Utilities Commission is
the act of a Congress but recently ad-
journed.
There is work ahead of the commits
sion once ii is ready for consideration
Of various subjects Physical valuation
is one, universal transfers a second, the
question Of forcing street railways to
accept the transfers of herdic COM
panies; dollar gas i'm Georgetown. and
perhaps a concession in the price of gas
as return for the union OF Washing