New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-05-07
BRIEF NOTES OF FINANCE
Paragraphs of Current Interest
for the Investor.

Inc outlook for an increase in divi-
bends among the railroads is not encour-
aging in the near future The rumors
that were circulated in Wall Street last
fall regarding dividend increases are not
heard now, and even the restoration OF
the common dividend OF the Chicago.
Milwaukee & St Paul to per cent
basis is not expected az the meeting Of
the board OF directors In July. During
the month OF February st. Paul did not
earn its per cent preferred dividend. but
the volume OF business In March was
heavier; the road earned a balance avail
able for common dividends at the rate OF
S per cent. For the nine months period
to the end of March surplus earnings
were equal 20 over per cent per annum
on the common. and with good crops and
no mlsfortunes ST. Paul should show sat
isfactory business during the remainder
OF the year.
Prairie Acquisitions.
The Prairie oil and Gas Company con-
tlrues TO add TO its holdings of produc-
Ing properties and during the last two
months the company has expended prac-
tically $1,000, 900 in securing desirable prop
critics. in addition to which ii is reported
that $4,000 has been laid out for the ex-
tension of its pipe line system and other
improvements According to The Fuel
oil Journal" the Prairie has acquired
the h. b. q NJ Jones production in the
adjacent field. the Northwestern Oh Com
pany's holdings in Osage County, the
Wichita Oil Company's outflow. and the
Renfrow OH and Gas Company's produc-
ton in the Cherokee deep sand district.
Good Assay Office Business.
During the month OF April the United
States Assay once reported the best
months business since october. 1912 The
total value Of gold bars exchanged for
coin and the quantity Of gold paid de-
positors was s2.9s7.3Ol. The portion OF
this amount paid in exchange In coin was
s. 573 6l5. and the balance went direct 10
depositors These figures do not include
exports totalling t2s2. rs. OF which $500 100
went 10 Europe The April sales were
about 1851 900 more than for the month
Of April 1912. and practically 10000 in
excess OF April. 1911. SO far, during 1913
the sales have exceeded those for the
same period Of any preceding year
Many Small Holdings.
The stock Of the Boston & Maine Rail
road is distributed almost entirely among
small stockholders Altogether there are
1906 holders OF common stock and 655 of
preferred stock. The division OF the com
mon stock ranges from one TO ten shares
for each stakeholder and 60 per cent OF
the total holdings are divided IN this
ratio Only Si7 per cent Of the holdings
amount to 100 shares each. OF the pre-
ferred shareholders 81 per cent own not
10 exceed ten shares each. and less than
per cent hold more than 100 shares.
During 1911 the total number OF common
stockholders WAS 1856. but in 1912 they had
increased TO 1906.
Market for American Flour.
A market for American -four Is open In
Turkey owing to the fact that there Is a
scarcity OF wheat In Adana and several OF
the mills have been forced TO shut down.
The -four produced in Turkey is coarser
than that usually made in the United
States and the quality known as round
Is the sort desired In that country. ana
there all the mills are equipped with ma
chinery capable OF producing the coarse