The Washington herald., 1913-11-25

days nnal NO one PAID any attenuon
70 II on Change.
Stock list is heavily oversold. Liquida-
tlon Is so well cleared up that the bears,
tate to go further In on the short line,
dreading q possible day OF reckoning.
Local Securities.
A distinctly better feeling was noticed
on the local exchange. The atmosphere
pes materially cleared, and better mar
ket conditions prevail.
Evidently something Is up in the local
gas situation. 1t is said that q merger
OF the two gas companies. even before
the trial Of the cause now in court for
voiding the holdings of Georgetown Gas
owned by Washington Gas Company.
There was a good demand for the stock
and rumors Of compromise where there
has been nothing even suggesting get
ting together for months past.
One gas company is just as desirable
as one railway company. and is, per
haps. more feasible. but both are possi-
bilities and probabilities.
The bid price for Washington Gas
moved up to S3&, and little stock sold
at SS7saSSK. Gas IS were also firmer,
selling at 107.
There was very little doing in other
securities, other than bonds. Potomac
Consolidated Is offered at ssk, with sSz
bid. while the first IS OF the same COM
pany sold at 1o41z$
Bids on Railway issues were reduced to
s. for both the common and preferred,
stock still offered at 80.
Bids on bank stocks were generally
slightly reduced, but with no pressure
Rnte Hearing.
The hearing on the per cent rate ad-
vance problem commenced yesterday. 1t
is one OF the most important questions
Of the day.. and one that win be far
reaching in the results. Western rail-
roads are hoping that the Eastern mag
mates will pull the chestnuts out Of the
fire for them, for a favorable decision will
bring them into court at once, seeking
the same advance.
The railroads certainly need the ad-
vance. They need II badly, and with mill
lions Of maturing obligations to meet and
decreasing earnings 1t appears much
more probable that they will win at least
some concession.
1t is a hard proposition to do business
where others make your business propo-
sitions for you.
United Cigars.
1t is understood that the United Cigar
Stores Company will show net earnings
during the present year Of close to $780,
0Oo This includes the earnings Of the
real estate companies as well as the
cigar stores. Tobacco sales for the first
ten months Of the fiscal year were $2,625.-
0o0 over the same period in 1872. and the
twelve months gain is expected to be well
over 100000.
The United Cigar Stores Company is
able to show a net on its tobacco sales
alone OF over 10 per cent Profits Of the
real estate operations for the year are
understood to be over y750,00O, all OF which
goes to the United Cigar Stores Company
of America as the holder Of all the stock
of the realty companies.
Interests close to the management of
United Cigar Stores Company will not be
surprised II the directors declare an extra
dividend on the common stock at the next
quarterly meeting. A net of $500 900 for
the year is equal to over Is per cent on
the S27. 100000 common stock after allow
ance for the regular Z per cent dividend
on the A,5OoO00 preferred stock outstand-
ing. These earnings, It is pointed out,
would warrant another extra disburse-
ment the first part Of the year.