Evening star., 1915-03-22
RATHER F|RMER TONE
TO RAILWAY PREFERRED
Washington Stock Market Slow. But
With Strong Undertone
in the List.
Another New High, 70 7-S, for
Bethlehem Steel Common.
Many Rumors Ahoat.
BY I. A. FLEMING.

Washington Railway preferred after
holding for many days at 81 on the
local stock exchange has moved up Il
fraction. not important by any means.
save as showing ability of the buying
movement TO acquire all offerings at
that figure One hundred shares were
sold TO-DAY ~ s4A and more could have
been sold at the same figure. Wash
ingt"n Railway common was also
strong. small lots. twenty-five shares.
in all changing hands at SS.
Washington Gas displayed good
strength around 70. official closing
quotations beint. 12is bid and 1914 ask
ell. Other stocks were entirely nomi-
nal but strongly held.
There was little or no demand for
bonds and the only transactions were
two small bonds of the Capital Trac
ton Company. which sold at 1861.
Government Deposits.
Notice has been given by the secre-
tary of the Treasury to number of
national banks carrying large govern
lent deposits to pay into the Treasury
department.. in the aggregate, $1,000
30. by March 25 This is the first of
'osits. but whether for Treasury re
tuirements or for deposit in regional
';lnks was not indicated.
Bankers Association Meeting.
The examination committee of the
District Bankers Association will meet
ut the Union Trust Company Tuesday
afternoon at SIS o'clock
Just what action will be taken by the
committee in the matter of arranging
tor examinations of banks in the Dis
trict Is question In of the fact
that the clearing house association has
anlining committee authority to ex-
tmine any bank or trust company in
the District
The executive council Of the associa-
ton VIII meet Friday evening.
Bank Dividend.
The Riggs National Bank has de-
clared regular semi annual dividend
of SIC a share, payable April Is to
shareholders of record March 81
Bethlehem Steel Common.
\ new high price was scored on the
New York exchange this morning for
the common stock of the Bethlehem
Steel Company, when it sold to 705a.
Manipulation is believed to be play
ing high game in this speculative
movement which has been especially
marked curing the last few DAYS, but
which has been going on for weeks.
and which may or r,av not be nearing
IT'S end. Manipulation is made easy,
comparatively. by the fact that there
are but 100000 shares of common stock.
and as much of this is held perma-
nently by officials of the corporation
II Is even less of a task to work the
price of IL up or down.
Charles NJ Schwab, president Of the
corporation. has disavowed all connec-
ton with the speculative movement.
and furthermore declared that the
common stock will not receive a diyi-
dend for two or three years, the en-
largement of the plant as planned.
calling for the use of the earnings,
ana also OF the proceeds of a proposed
bond issue.
lne annual report of the corpora ton
VIII be given out within the NEXT
week. and reports indicate that 1914
earnings were from 81 to 81 per cent
on the common stock, while, with the
activity In munitions and other prod
ucts OF the company greatly increased,
tne earnings at the present time are
estimated as about so per cent on the
common stock. There is, however. NO
sembiance of official authorization to
these rumors.
saturdays high was Gs on the COM
mon stock. today's. up to noon. 7O.s
when II went back to 69n
sales OF the common stock IN 70 tho
close OF business Saturday, during the
current year, totaled 463,O50 shares as
compared with total of 25S 36o shares
ior the entire year 1914.