The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-04-04
FINANCIAL NEWS
AND COMMENT
Strong and Active stock Mar
kct at the Close Of the
Week.
OLDER ISSUES LEADERS

Despite weather conditions which IN.
ttrfered with wire communicate and
despite a good deal Of abscnteeism for
other reasons, business in the stock
market yesterday WAS brisk. and cx-
cept for some uncertainty in the fr~t
half hour the tone of prices was one
of hrmness, increasing with the prog
ress of the session. The close was gem
orally steady, and In many rcspects
strong. Tho features OF tho market
were more or less of a surprise. for
there had been much expectation OF n
comparatively dull and undressing
session because OF the recess interrupt
tion on Friday.
The scale Of trading was very nearly
equal to the extreme of Wednesdays
activity, when the largest volume ON the
spring rise was attained. The older
and more seasoned stocks came to the
front. especially rails. standard indus
trials and the local public utility ISSUES.
This gave somewhat more convincing
character to the market than some II
the spectacular performances in uhe
early part of the week but while the
newer Industrial issues and speCalties
of various descriptions were less promi-
nent than they had been they wcro
nrm.
Dealings as whole, taken in con-
ncction with the course OF quoted values
rather pointed To further persistence Of
the upward movement. Certainly the
list by it's display of week end strength
and activity, after undergoing in re-
cent sessions such tests OF heavy SELL
Ing and extravaganza VI bullish specu-
lation. showed much enduring vitality
There was no sign whatever that the
forward ip1ncttiS v-hich on ri.I 4,
20 far last month had been lost to any
degree.
A loan expansion " somewhat more
than $4,000 600 was The chief feature
Of the bank statement In other re-
epccts the items made no significant
revelation. The only other important
news of consequence published during
the session was the list of candidates for
directors chosen by the Rock Island rail.
road proxy committee which is under
stood TO have the backing OF large stock
holding and financial interests II was
agreed that the committee had made Sc.
1ections OF strong men, who would COM
mand confidence and enlist financial
support for the property to wh2tevcr
extent IL may be needed. The Rock
Island shares after an early exhibit .on
of further weakness. turned stronger in
the last hour
The emphasis which the stock mar
ket gave to the Stock Exchange de-
velopments OF the last few DAYS merely
emphasized what must seem 10 reflective
observers the principal financial event
o. the week. The further manifestation
of speculative confidence was re-
Spouse to an increasing appreciation OF
the various constructive considerations
furnished by the foreign exchange mar
ket. the country's foreign trade move
ment. the process Of supplying capital
and credit OF foreign borrowers, the lack
OF any pressure Of foreign liquidation
of our securities and the like. all OF
which testified to the sound basis Of
values and business generally in this
country.
Facts of the week which attracted
particular attention were such matters
as the increasing activity at steel mills.
the rising strength OF copper metal, the
sustained iirmness of cotton and grains.
. the railroad returns Of earnings for Feb
ruary, showing better gross revenues
than for months past; striking uni
farmity OF substantial gains In net and
the satisfactory subs 'riptiou accorded 10
the $50 .00O, 900 French Government loan
here When on the last day Of March
the governors Of the Stock Exchange
voted to abolish minimum prices and all
other restrictions on dealings In bonds
and stocks the action was an illuminat-
ing summary of the confidence making
events since the turn of tho year.