The Washington times., 1914-03-14

Irregularity and quietness il trade are
reported today in the weekly reviews Of
business by the mercantile agencies.
"Considera BILE irregularity still char
! tistics of trade movements are con-
fiicting." according to r. g. Dun & Co.
LAS measured by bank Clcarlngs, the
volume of transactions continues smaller
than a year ago, there being a loss this
week of 1.9 per cent Current reports
from leading centers. however, are lack
ing in uniformity and indicate that the
effects of the recent storms have not
entirely disappeared. The congestion in
distribution resulting from The interrupt
ton to transportation is still factor in
the primary dry goods markets, al
though some Improvement IN retail con-
ditions is noted. An easier price ten
dency is manifest in cotton goods,
whereas wool products are firm
The expansion Of $4,000 tons in the
untitled orders Of the leading iron and
steel producer during February raised
the total above 100000 tons for The first
time since last September. this being
the second successive gain of the wear.
There has been some decrease in the vol
ume of business thus far .iuring March.
Bradstreets review says in part as
follows:
Trade is still on the quiet side. For
this the Past winters varying weather
conditions and conservatism born of re-
cent years hard-to mouth buying, arc
all varying responsible. Still, the pre-
dominant feeling is that the opening Of
spring will act as stimulus to trad.
and industry.
1T is to he noted that raw wool is
still strong and active in all MAJ kets,
and that wool manufacturers, notably
,worsted wear and dress goods. Pig
advances. Aside from the early re-
rcrts as to winter wheat and prospect
i've cotton acreage, agricultural reports
run chiefly to a large yield of truck
in Southern states despite some dam
ages to the potato and early fruit crops
The cereal markets still portray the
absence of speculative interest in very
slight changes In price. Wheat was
firm early on the Government report
advances slightly from crop damage
Sed On better weather and crop reports
leaving net changes for the week very
slight.
Cotton has shown stronger tone
much If the week. Short coverings re-
,ealed over selling on the recent decline
business failures for the week end
ing March IL were "a. which compares
with 266 last week. 2s3 in the like week
of 1913. 24l in 1872. 25l in 1911, and cos
in I9l0.''
In their weekly letter on The
Trend of the Times Lewis johnson 4
Co. private bankers of this city, have
some poned things to say about the
local investment situation today. in
part. az follows:
The inquiry for bonds has been
stimulated in this community by the
attitude of Congress toward incheased
taxation of real estate. The constant
effort to inflict upon this non-voting
and politically helpless District all the
crossroads theories of taxation and
finance, is leading investors into new
pathE and away from the dyspeptic in
fuences of paternal government.
Trust companies will be inclined to
consider bonds from now on because
owners of deed of trust notes. follow
ing the editorials in the leading news
papers, are becoming restive and in
cined to come out fiatfootedly for bond
investments. The entire country will
do well to consider the probable influ-
ences OF the radicals in Congress on
investments generally. and confne pur-
chases to well-secured and politically
exempt issues. Each week adds some
new argument in favor OF public utility
and municipal offerings.
There was little activity on the local
stock exchange today. Washington
Railway common was rather stronger.
a quotation lot selling at S7ia and an
other at IS. a full lot OF Capital Trac-
tion sold at 10 (cash).
Ten shares OF Commercial National
Bank sold at lS5. The only other sales
were Of two shares of Mergenthaler. at
cl5i.. and eight at 2l5h. and one share
n. hA