The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-01-08
m FINANCIAL CIRCLES
r,he Barron News service.9

New York. Jan. sThe United Cigar Scores co. is the latest addition to the ranks of probab1e melon cutters, It being reported that plans are now erably more for the common stock holders this year than the regular
 per cent. dividend and such extra dividends as earnings warrant
 It is probable that the extra dis bursement will be in some other form than cash. and when 1t will be maae has not yet been decided upon. Ofn- ciaIs of the company refuse to dis- cuse the matter, but that 3. melon
 will be distributed some time during 1914 is the Information of interests close to the management.
 The chain of Riker-Hegenan drug stores in 1913 increased their gross sales over the preceding year to the extent Of $2, BOO 900. The potential growth of the drug concern will doubt less be rapidly realized when the main feature of which consists of giving premium coupons with purchases grows
 It is learned that Attorney General McReynolds has been urged by his assistants to begin criminal action under the Sherman antitrust lew against Charles 8. Mel1en and his as- sociates in the New Haven manage mert Whether or not proceedings will be begun will not be determined until the dissolution plan is complet- ed.
 The reports of January l. 1913 show that the life insurance companies of New York state hold soc, ,56s shares of stock, carried at a book value of $56.- 159 511 The Mutual Life has the largest holdings, carried at $2S.6O0. GOO book xalue,-and the Equitable is sec ond with SIT, AT. GOO.
 Directors of the Standard Oil Co.
 - --~s~~ .l&~& to approval of the Railroad Conanis- sion of that state, the sale at par of AS, ,184 shares of treasury stock, rep ETesenting 10 per cent. of the outstand- ing stock to which each shareholder will be entitled to subscribe in pro- portion to his holdings.
 A further reduction of $1 per ton in the price of wire nails in large lots is reported. Wire products generally have been reduced $1 ton English makers have reduced the price of ferro manganese 8 a ton to $45 a ton at will meet that price. The business
 lately on the market has been taken by the Steel Corporation at $45 a ton. Creation by the Chicago, Milwau- kee St. Paul Railway of a general and refunding mortgage under which bonds can be issued up to three times the amount of the outstanding capital has raised an interesting question in regard to the convertible 1-2 per cent. debentures of the St. Paul in con nection with the savings banks laws of New York and other states. II is claimed by some bankers who have studied the matter that these con vertibles are now legal investments for New York state savings banks. An opinion from the state Attorney General, who is the final authority on such questions in this state, is being sought.
 Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad earned between Al and 42
 per cent. for it's $s0, 900 outstanding stock in the calendar year 1913. This estimate Is based on the eleven
 months income account, and an al- lowance for some shrinkage in De-
 cember earnings Tn a statement fur nished to the Stock Exchange the road was shown to have earned a
 balance for dividends in the 12 months ended October 31 of $12, 872, ,511. This
 was equal to 42.7 per cent. on the I outstanding stock, and compared with 1 3e per cent. in the calendar year, 1912, | and 39.2 per cent. in 1911.
 1 November gross earnings of the Wa