davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-21
.STEAD|ER FEELING
 |. ON COTTON MARKET
Late Trading Wipes Out Early Advance and Mar
 ket Closed at a Loss

New Orleans, December 20.--A steadA fer feeling was in evidence here in the cotton market today, there being less pressure to sell and periods of strength were more pronounced. The reason for this, quite generally ad- vanced. was that the technical position had become stronger through recent selling. Late in the day there was a drive against the market which wiped out the net advance. which had been rather laborously piled up and clos- ing prices were at a net loss of g to l5 points Considerable liquidation of cotton bought yesterday came out on this decline.
 The census bureau report on ginning to December 13. showing I0.s45,s sss bales, or 4s6.O00 for the period, was somewhat lower than expected. but 1t caused only brief moderate buying.
 In general the early trading prices lost IS to 37 points. Some offerings accumulated overnight on expecta- tions; others were stimulated by the poor Liverpool and others came from traders who found bearish import in the census returns.
 On the decline the market behaved In an oversold manner and a quick re- action recovered all of the early loss and put the market at noon to a net gain of to points, which in the early afternoon widened to II to 20 points.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-21
WHEAT VALUES DROP .ON PEACE REPORTS
Market Nervous With No Punctuation Beyond the
 Extraordinary

Chicago. December 20.-Wheat
 values averaged somewhat lower to-
 day, mainly because of reports that new efforts for peace were to be ex- pected. The market closed heavy at
 the same as yesterdays finish to 4hc lower, with May at $1.611k01.62 and
 July at $1.S5%@1S5%. Corn showed net decline of 1Ac to 1ssd15sc, and oats of 11s@1%c
 In provisions the final range varied from setback of Dc to advance of 10c.
 Considerable nervousness was evinced in the wheat trade through out the session. but the volume of business did not exceed normal limits and there were no price fluctuations much beyond the ordinary.
 The nearest approach to excitement came in the final half hour when the bears succeeded in making a decided impression with the aid of gossip that additional diplomatic movements in the direction of a peace barley would be forthcoming if not already in progress under cover. Lowest quotations of the day resulted and there was virtually no rallying power evident in the pit as the market came to an end Some purchasing of future deliveries by foreign governments acted as a temporary stumlus for the wheat bulls about the middle of the session. Corn duplicated the action of wheat. The intermittent tendency to weak ness was emphasized by reports of in- creasing congestion of railway freight facilities. Oats followed the course of other cereals. Some of yesterdays prin- = cipal buyers were on the selling side. Only a light trade developed in pro- visions and the market held within narrow bounds. Trifling gains formed 1 the rule owing chiefly to strength in quotations on hogs.
 Future quotations were as follows:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-21
STOCK LIQUIDATION
 ACTIVE ON CHANCE
Low Levels Reached in Final Hour of Session With
 No RecOveries

New York, December 20.-Liquidation far more active and comprehensive than any previously experienced in connection with the current dealings provoked addi- tional substantial recessions today, war shares and affiliated issues registering extreme losses of 5 to 15 points Lowest levels were touched in the frenzied sell ing of the final hour with virtually no recoveries from minimum quotations.
 Pressure came from various directions, financial institutions calling loans and ex- ercisng greater discrimination against specalties, brokers calling upon custo- mers to bolster impaired speculative &C., counts and professional traders pursu- ing their recent advantage, seemingly without hindrance.
 Bethlehem Steel was the most spectac- ular feature, falling 72 points to 800 on a few sales and loss of 200 points from it's record quotation of a month ago.
 Mercantile marine preferred made a gross decline of Is points, with for the common shares, Atlantic, Gulf and West Indies, American owned, fell 15 points.
 United States Steel offered less resist ance than at any time since the down ward movement became effective, falling As to 107s. Crucible and Lackawanna Steels and all the secondary munitions and equipments suffered losses of to 6 points.
 Coppers and metals as whole were heavy to work, their reversal being ac- companied by trade reports of price con- sessions.
 Utah Copper led this group at a gross decline of 52. Central Leather, sugars and active shares of the miscellaneous division crumbled sympathetically or from sheer lack of support
 Rails stood out for their consistent strength, but reacted moderately on the weight of the last hours heavy offer ings. Total sales amounted to 1,625, ,OOo shares.
 Bonds reflected the unsettled state of the stock market, internationals display ing further heaviness. Total sales. par value, aggregated $3,S75,0O0.
 United States bonds were unchanged on call
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-21
LEGAL NOTICES Southern Railway Company
New York. October 25. 1sls.

New York, October 25. 1916. To the Stockholders of Southern Railway | Company:
 l Notice is hereby given that general meeting of the stockholders of Southern 1 Railway company has been called by the board of directors and will be held at the principal office of the company in the Times-Dispatch building. in the city of Richmond, Va, on Friday, the 9th day of January, 1917, at 10 o'clock in the fore noon,' for the purpose of considering and taking action concerning the creation of 1 a mortgage upon the railroads and other property, securities and franchises of the company to be designated the refunding and Improvement mortgage, and the is- sue and sale of gold bonds thereby se- cured, limited in amount to $500. .000 GOO at any time outstanding, to be issued from time to time, in lettered series, maturing on such dates not later than October |, 1929, and bearing interest at such rates. as shall be fixed by the board of directors with respect to each series; and for the purpose of considering and taking ail such other or further action in respect to the creation of said mortgage and the issue and sale of said bonds as may come before the meeting, including approving the form and provisions of said mortgage, approving a plan for the exchange of the development and general mortgage 1 per cent bonds of the company for bonds bearing higher interest secured by said refunding and improvement mortgage and approving all action taken by the board of directors in the premises and for the purpose of transacting such other business as lawfully and properly may be brought before the meeting.
 The transfer books of both preferred and common stock will be closed at 3 o'clock, D. m., on December 6, 1916, and will be reopened at 10 o'clock a. m, on January 6. 1917.
 By order of the board of directors,
 F. s. WYNN, Secretary.
 11-30 12-7-14-o1-s -s2 1-2
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-21
Hubbard Bros. & Co.'S Letter

New York. December 20.--A period of liquidation abroad and here, fol- lowed by reaction after severe fluc- tuations, closes both markets within few points of last evening and en- courages the belief that the mark ct will be higher before Christmas. On this idea the southern spinners brought and called cotton today, giving the support needed to prevent the contin- uance of the running decline. The ginners' return was about as expected, though as it indicated a crop as large. if not larger, than the government es- innate, 1t was a disappointment to many people who had bought at the extreme higher prices of last month.
 Many peace rumors were the cause of the fluctuations during the day as there seems to be a widespread propa- ganda from one side to force the oth- CT side toward a peace conference.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-21
Produce Market

New York. December 20-Butte, steady; receipts, 4o51; creamery, higher than extras. 41G42l4c; creamery extras 92 score. Ale; firsts, S71a@401ac. Eggs easier; receipts. 5s79; fresh gathered ex- tra firsts. 49G50c; firsts, 461a@4Sc; refrig- orator special marks. 331aQ34c; refrigera- tor, seconds to frsts, 31N@33c. Cheese ir- regular; receipts, 1125 state held specials 241Ac; do average fancy, 231aq24c. Live poultry firm; no prices settled Dressed firm chickens, 1s@29c; fowls, 151 O 23c; turkeys, 20@32c.
 Chicago, December 20.-Butter lower; creamery, 321s@SS1s,c. Eggs steady: re- ceipts 1918 cases: firsts. 40641c; ordinary firsts, S5Q36c; at mark, cases included 33@40c. Potatoes higher; receipts, 26 cars; Washington, Idaho. Colorado and Oregon white. sl.60ai.75; Michigan white, s1.5OG i SO; Wisconsin white. s1.40q1.50. Poultry, alive. lower: fowls, 17c; springs, 17c
 Kansas CitE.r December 20.-Butter creamery, 4Ohc; firsts, Ssc; seconds, 37c; packing, 2Sc. Eggs. firsts. 40e. Poultry. hens, 16iac; roosters, 121ac; turkeys, 24c.
 St Louis. December 20.-Poultry un- changed except hens, 13G141ac; ducks 161ac. ducks, 1614c. Butter unchanged. Eggs. S7c,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-21
AYerY's Letter

Another sinking spell on the govern ment ginning report followed by backing and filling finally winding up at a net loss of points from the previous close is the history of the cotton market for the day.
 The news of the day showed that there was the disposition to follow the de- cline much further. Liverpool cabled 1t was the opinion the market was dragging bottom. Big spot interests were put down as buyers and it was said the last of the big long lines was liquldated when Riordan sold about 25, 600 bales
 While bears may make spasmodic drives at the market on bulges, in order to hold it until they can get out my opinion is the worst is over and well margined ac- counts will show good profits on the long side from this level C. r. AVERY
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-21
COTTON MARKET
 VERY IRREGULAR
General List Closed Steady at a Net Decline of 3.
 to IA Points

New York, December 2o.-While the
 cotton market showed subsiding activity
 today, there was continued nervousness
 and fluctuations were very irregular.
 March contracts, for instance, sold up from 17c to 17.S6c right after the call. then broke to 1zo6c, rallied 10 1745c early in the afternoon, sold off again to 17.10c, and | closed at 17.24c. The general list closed steady at a net decline Of to IA points. There were a lot of overnight selling orders around the ring at the start, hay ing been brought in by the break of yes- terday. There were also selling on the weakness of Liverpool and the opening was 4 to 42 points net lower, with active positions generally 12 to 25 points under last nights closing figures. This estab- ! llished new low ground for the movement, with January selling at 1674c and May at 1724c, or 43O to 445 points below the high records of November 27. After two or three weeks. of heavy liquidation and | the decline of about $22 per bale in prices, the selling movement appeared to slacKen and the market developed decidedly | steadier tone as offerings tapered off. Naturally there was covering by recent sellers, while there was also buying for a reaction, and some fresh demand from 1 outside sources which was supposed to | reflect confidence in the stability of southern holders. Trading did not broad en out very much on the rally, but the support was sufficient to send January 1 up to 1725c and May to 17.72c during the early afternoon, or about 15 to p points net higher Increased offerings were en- | countered around this level, partly from Wall street sources accompanying the I break in stocks and a good part of the I improvement was lost with the market closing steady on final spurt of covering
 on peace rumors. Spinners were reported to be calling cotton and there was Liv- erpool buying here during the morning. The census report showing 10,S45,9s bales | ginned to December 13. was slightly below expectations, but seemed to attract little attention.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-21
Flour and Feedstuff

Michigan patent flour. s1o,sO; Idaho patent flour, S950; Tennessee patent flour. ss.l0; high grade self-risng flour, *s.oo; medium grade self-rising flour
 $40; hard winter wheat flour. sa so. spring wheat flour, s9.90; corn meal, $2. 30; per s6-lbs- sack; hen feed. s2.65 sack; mixed horse and mule feed. S2S to $44
 I3a per cent c. S. meal. $40: Creamo feed meal. $50; prime c. $. hulls, sa: .intless hulls, $l7; gray shorts. s44; brown shorts
 SAP; wheat bran. s3S: velvet bean meal
 s32; corn, per bushel. N.23 corn chops, $2.35; No. ? white oats per bushel, 7ac: wheat. per 1O0-lb. sack, $3N; Kaffir corn and Milo maize per 100 lb. sack, s275;i choice fancy pea green alfalfa. per ton. $31; southern alfalfa. per ton, $25; mixed alfalfa and Johnson grass, per ton, $21; choice fancy timothy hay, per ton, S26; No. 1 timothy hay, per ton. s22; light clover mixed hay. Der ton, $2l; No. Johnson grass. per ton, SIS.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-21
Equalization Boards May Sit Beyond Aug. l
 Is Decision of Court

Montgomery. December 20.--(Special } County boards of equalization may sit beyond August for the purpose of hear ing objections to assessments already made when ordered to do so by the state board of equalization, and each member of a county board who attends such sit- ting may collect his per diem from the county treasury under an opinion of the court Of appeals Tuesday afternoon in the case or Joseph Espalla, Jr., chair man of the board of equalization of Mo bile county. vs. the county of Mobile MT. Espalla lost in the lower court. but the court of appeals returned the case for further consideration.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-21
New York Futures
Port Cotton Market

New Orleans: Middling, 1725c; receipts, 7l63; sales, BOO; stock, 4s0,221 Galveston Middling, 1760c: receipts S790; exports, 7190; sales, 300; stock, S9S, 321 Mobile Middling, 17.5oc; receipts. 17s stock, 17,072
 Savannah: Middling, 1s.25c; receipts 2939; stock, 200, 462. Charleston: Receipts, 523; stock, 72,417. Wilmington: Receipts, 2sS; stock, 9,l44 Texas City: Receipts, 7462. Norfolk: Middling, 16,75c; receipts, 2278; sales. 66: stock, 112,370. Baltimore: Stock, 6076. Boston: Middling, 17.S0c; receipts, 1889;
 exports, 3112; stock, s600. Philadelphia: Mddling, 1740c; stock, s3S New York. Middling. 1715c; receipts, 1858; exports. 100; sales, 300; stock, 147,847. Minor ports: Stock. 4e,356. Total today: Receipts. 32.164; exports 10 402; stock, 1,5S9,S25. Total for week; Receipts, 12o, 422 ex- ports, 127,711.
 Total for season: Receipts. As7s,ess: ex- ports, 2,921, ,737.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-21

been throwing over their stocks and the selling has extended slightly to the rail- road list Even with the declines they have had, they stand up marvelously against the big wave of industrial liqui- dation This group of stocks are not in the hands of the public, and with their past record of stable trading on the stock exchange are acceptable collateral to the money lenders. There is the strongest discrimination against the newcomers in the industrial list and the old ones who have been pyramided. A day like today always brings in a certain amount of what is called "good buying" These stocks are for sale on the first rally. As we have repeatedly said, the backbone of the industrial market Is broken and we think for sometime to come that this class of stocks can be sold on all the strong days. HUTTON & Co.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-21
Bank of Germany Statement

Berlin. December 2O.-(Via London) The statement of the Imperial Bank of Germany issued December 15 shows the following changes: Total coin and bull lion increased 30S,000 marks, Gold in creased 114000 marks. Treasury notes de- creased 35,975, 900 marks. Notes of other banks increased 2,502, 900 marks. Bills dis counted decreased 63.121. 900 marks. Ad- vances increased 1,328 ,000 marks. Invest ments decreased 2,120,OOO marks. Other securities increased S2, 2,4S1, ,o00 marks. Notes in circulation increased 69, 639, 900 marks. Other liabilities increased A. 453,- 900 marks. Total gold holdings 2,51S, ,S72,- 900 marks
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-21
Liyerpool Cotton

Liverpool, December 2O-Cotton. spot weak; good middling, 1039d; middling, 1O.29d; low mddling. 1013d; good ordi- nary, 9T7d; ordinary, 9,47d; sales, TOGO; TOO for speculation and export; receipts, 24,000; futures unsettled December, 1O13d; December and January, 1012d; January and February, 1o13d; February and March, 101Sd; March and April, 10.2td; April and May, 1o29d; May and June, 10S4d; June and July, 1O.S4d; July and August, 1034d August and Septem- ber. 10.06d; September and October, 96Sd october and November, a5sd November and December, 95ld; December and Janu- ary a. lid
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-21

banks, s4.71A commercial. 6O-day bills, A.71; demand, s4751z; cables, S476 7-16. Francs: Demand, $5s41a; cables s5.s312. Marks: Demand. 72c; cables, 72Ac. Kro- nen Demand, Pc; cables, 12Ac. Gull ders: Demand. 40szc; cables. 407sc. Lires: Demand s6.s2; cables, $6.91. Rubles: De- mand, soc; cables, 304c. Bar silver, 765sc Mexican dollars, 59kc Govern ment bonds steady. Railroad bonds heavy Time loans firm; 50 days and 90 days, 44Q415 per cent; six months, 4d4h per cent. Call money firm; high, Az per cent; low. per cent; ruling rate, A per cent; last loan, 44 per cent; closing bid, per cent; offered at A per cent.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-21
LeRal Notice

Notice is hereby given by the commits sion of the city of Birmingham, as pro- vided in section 14l0 of the code of Ala bama that 1t Is their intention to redeem city public improvement bond No. IS os Series of January l. 1912, bond Nos l and ? of Series 79s, bond No. l of Series s3s. at the January 1, 1917, interest period by paying off the same at the Hanover National bank in New York and by pay ing as a bonus to the holders thereof a sum equal to one-half of the annual in- terest thereon for one year
 By order of the commission of the city of Birmingham, at its meeting of Decem- Der 5, 1916. c. B. LLOYD,
 City Clerk Birmingham Age-Herald, December [ 14 and 2l,, i9ls.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-21
Interior Movement

Houston: Middling, 16.90c; receipts 465S shipments, sTs; sales 525; stock. 27,- 9O7.
 shipments 5e27 stock. 308,008.
 Augusta: Middling, 17,50c: receipts, 7Sl shipments, 3S4; sales. 2S9 stock, 147.731.
 St. Louis: Receipts, 2s76; shipments, 24S3; stock, 32,729.
 Cincinnati: Receipts, 1120; shipments, 925; stock, 23935. Little Rock: Middling. 1sc; receipts, 1110 shipments, 1l5; sales, 1131; stock, 54.255.
 Total today: Receipts, 17,045; shipments, 1923; stock, S44S55.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-21
Chicago Grain

Chicago December 2o.-Wheat: No. red nominal; No. red nominal No. hard nominal; No. hard, s1647s. Corn; No. yellow. 91Ac; No. yellow nominal; No. 4 white nominal Oats: No. white, 5o1%a51Ac; standard, 51@5115c. Rye: No 2 nominal Barley, s5c9sl.20 Timothy, $3. .5o05.50. Clover $12917, Pork $27.50. Lard, s1650G1e,55. Ribs, sl3.17a13.37.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-21
Mobile Employees Get Raise

Mobile. December 2O,-(Special) Em- ployes of the street department of Mobile were given an increase of 25 cents a day, beginning January l. by the city commission yesterday. Under the new scale garbagemen and stable men will receive s2.25 per day, and street sweepers. ditch men and drivers of little carts viii get g per day
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-21
New Orleans Futures
New Orleans Cotton

New Orleans, December 2o.-Spot cotton quiet 25 points off. Sales or the spot 3300 bales to arrive 9200 Good ordinary. 5.75c; strict ordinary 16. 25c; low middlig. 16.75c; strict low middling. Tie; middling, 17.25c; strie' middling. F 44c; good middling, 17.6zc strict good middling, 17.97c. Receipts 7163; stock, 4S0,221.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-21
Charles Fairchild & Co.'s Letter

New York, December ao.-The cotton market today opened lower, advanced sharply. declined almost to the opening figures rallied about 50 points from the mornings lows and then broke 40 points in the space of a few minutes time. A rally of 20 points then followed. While we are likely to have continuation of recent cratic movements we are inclined to believe that the worst of the liquida- ton is over and think higher markets will prevail before Saturday. We favor purchases of any decline that may occur tomorrow.
 Cotton oil Is still neglected. We expect a very narrow market in that commodity until after the holidays.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-21
E. F. Hutton's Stock Letter

Furnished by c. F. Avery's private
 wire)
 New York, December 20-A year ot buying industrials cannot be liquidated In two or three days. This has been ap- parent, for on every rally this group has been for sale. The rumor that Washington would send out a peace statement this afternoon or tomorrow brought on another wave of selling and the market closes at the bottom. Many who would not listen to caution have
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-21
Kansas City Grain

Kansas City, December 2o-Cash wheat: No. hard, s1.64611.72; No 2 red, $1. .64@1.7o. Corn: No. mixed, S9@9oc; No. white, SS69oc No. yellow, S9a90c. Oats: No. ? white, 54Q64hc; No. mixed, 53@531sc.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-21
Sugar Market

New York, December 2O-The market for raw sugar was firmer today at bc advance. There were sales of 5000 tons of Cubas afloat to local refiner at 4Ac cost and freight equal to 5.27c for centri- fugal, duty paid. Additional sales in- cluded 5000 bags of Porto Rico sugars due early ill January to a Boston refiner at 614c for centrifugal and 2OOO tons of Philippine sugars due January at 4.10c, e. l. f The close was steady at 414c for Cnbas, cost and freight. equal to 5.27c for centrifugal and 4.40c for molasses.
 The firmer feeling in raws had no in- fluence in refined sugar, which remained dull and unchanged at 7c to 7O5c for fine granulated, with some refiners accepting orders at 6.95c in an effort to do business.
 Futures were firm early on scattered covering and little demand from trade sources, prompted by the steadiness of the spot market, but after prices ad- vanced some to 12 points realizing it in and practically all the gain was lost with closing prices ? points to 1 net higher. December sold from 43oc to 415c, closing 4.l7c; January. 4.15c to 4.12c, closing 412c; March, 3.92c to 3S9c closing 3.8Sc; May, S.9Sc to S.94c, closing S,95c; July closed 4c.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-21
lture quotations were as follows:
St. Louis Grain

St. Louis, December 2o.--Wheat: No. ? l red, $1.75G11 80; No. hard, s171@1.771A;
 | December s. 6Sta Corn: No. 2, 92c; No 3 l white 9ac; December 911ac Oats: No. nominal: No 2 white nominal; Decem- 1 ber 50Ac
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-21
Metal Market

New York, December 20.--Copper unset tied: electrolytic, first, second and third quarters. $31p3250. Iron steady and un- changed. Metal exchange quotes tin easy spot, $4l. 75Q42.25. At London, spot copper. e142 los; futures, s136 los; cleo trolytic G160 spot tin, G1S1; futures, s1SS The metal exchange quotes lead S.671S@7.75. Spelter quiet; spot East St. Louis delivery s10@1O1A. At London: Lead, G3O los. Spelter. a54 5s
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-21
Drv Goods Market

New York. December 20.-Gray cotton goods were irregular and weak today. Yarns were easier. Worsted yarns vera quiet and firm. Knit goods trade con tinued better than normal for this period of the year.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-21
Cnftnn Seed Oil
Naval Stores

Savannah. December 20.-Turpentine firm, 52Ac; sales. 300; receipts, 65; ship ments, IA; stock, 2,S5S. Resin firm; sales, 1895; receipts, SS7; shipments 2S9; stock 92.43s. Quote: A. B. c. D. F, F. G, s6.17h; H, s6.221k; I, s625; K, $6S0; M, s6,5o N, $6.90: VIC. $T.05; wv, $7,30.