The Washington times., 1913-09-14

The beginning of the fall activity on
the local stock exchange became notlce-
able on the floor during the latter part
of the week, not at all in the volume
OF trading though this increased ma
,erialIy. but in the renewed interest and
the better attendance. In few more
weeks now the Saturday sessions OF the
exchange will begin, and then the sea-
son is regarded as being really open.
Sales for the week. however, amounted
to only 30e shares of stock, at $22.7OO par
of bonds, though the average for the
last few days has been higher.
One of the strongest features OF the
local market for the last ten Gays mas
been the absence of any concern over
ment to interfere with all of the local
public utility companies. Within tnat
time an effort has been made by tne
Government to force the separation OF
the Washington Gas Light COMPANY
from the Georgetown Gas Company by
Compelling the former to sell the STOCK
in the Georgetown company which II
owns, while there has been talk In Con-
gress of municipality owned traction
service in this city, as an example TO
the rest of the country.
Local holders of both securities, nat
will be done will affect them. Holders
of the gas securities saw that even II
consolidation IL arranged, and the price
ordered reduced to 20 cents Cthey re1uSe
to even speculate on lawer price, de-
claring that it would be confiscatlon),
the stock of the companies would be
benefited, due to the increased con-
sumption. They point out that Balti-
more's experience in this direction
shows just what would happen here.
In that city, after reductions in the
price of gas, the consumption increased
so that the company made more money
than ever
Holders of the street railway stocks
are particularly camplaisant with re-
gard to the purchase Of their lines by
the Government. AS one Of them put II :
There is no one to whom / would
sooner sell a large block of my stock,
or all of it, than to the Government
The selling of it all would not depress
the price. and / would be sure of getting
my money"
AS to the price the Government would
be willing to pay. should the municipal
ownership plan be tried, that Is not
worrying the holders in the slightest
degree. They declare that the stocks Of
both companies leach talking for his
own, of course, )are worth considerably
more money than they are bringing on
the Stock Exchange at the present
time. and that there is no doubt bet
ter price would be paid by the Govern
ment than the present quotations
The younger set" OF the local bank
ers. and manv of the more experienced
men as well. are looking forward eager
" to the entertainment here Of the dele
gates to the annual convention OF the
American Institute of Banking from
the North and West who will pass
through Washington on their wav to
Richmond. Va. where the convention
will omen Wednesday.
An elaborate scheme of entertainment
has heen mapped out by the local bank
ers for their visitors Early Tuesday
morning thew will be placed aboard cars
| for Fort Myer, Alexandria, and Mt.
Vernon. returning at 40 in the after
noon for luncheon at the Raleigh after
which A long sightseeing automobile
| trip about the citv and suburbs will be
| enjoyed. Then dinner will be had. after
which a special train will he boarded
| for Richmond. Due to the INABILITY of
the committe on arrangements which.
under Chairman w. W. Spaid. has dOr e
such yoeman work. to arrange with the
railroads for diners to be placed on the
special all those going to the Virginia