The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-09-05
WATSON'S WEEKLY
MARKET LETTER

Financial circles continue to grope
in the fog of price-fixing uncertain
ty. Such a state is not good for in,
market has continued to reflect APP
prehension There is no disposition
to shirk patriotic duty, but to conduct
business 1t is necessary first to know
what profits are probable. Faced by
mt 100 per cent. risk capital prefers to
await more encouraging develop
ments, even with assets accumulated
in large totals by great corporations.
In the last analysis, capital knows no
party, creed or country. 1t is extreme
ly sensitive to all tendencies which
may restrict or expand its activities.
Henc3g the readjustment of prices in
the stock market during the past few
weeks. Relieved of uncertainty as to
Washingtons intentions, with the
worst discounted, there can hardly be
shy doubt that the usual period OF
recovery will be witnessed. Mean
time, we believe it advisable for the
active Investor to remain patient ana
cautious but alert to opportunities
which are always presented at such
times We believe the technical posi-
ton of the asnarlxets tps be very much
improved. Weak accounts have been
largely removed. The short interest
has greatly expanded. The floating
supply of stocks has decreased. Elk
! treme fears such as have been in cir
culation, while effective in forcing IL
/ quotation through flight, are not
likely to be realized. A well-known
financial publication points out that
manufacturing industries may offset
price fixing losses through the re.
A. - III AL
notably fuel.
The progress Of the war shows
gratifying results from Allied often
sives on the French British and Ital-
ian western fronts. They overcome
the unfavorable Russian retreat,
which may, however be checked by
American financial aid and Japanese
military assistance, according to lat
est reports. The well-written reply
of the United States to the Pope's
proposal, declaring. that this country
can accept no peace guarantee from
the. present German government, is
generally approved and is looked up
on as a great step toward the end~of
the war American diplomacy, by it's
open-and-above board methods, has
again achieved victory over the SEE
cretive ways Of European diplomats.
by plainly stating the facts and nam
ing its peace terms without quibs
bling. 1t is important to observe that
the Teutonic peoples are now begin
ming to feel keenly the effect Of the
( American general embargo soneT
thing that should add material effect
to the reply of Washington to the
Vatican. Nineteen Nations are now
fighting against the Central Powers.
Locally. the military preparations of
the United States exhibit more rap
i'd pace, and while unpatriotic agita-
tors continue to "rend the air." the
government Is assuming more salts
factory control of sedition and trea-
son. We are great nation arrayed
on the side of right and justice-and
they will prevail.
Financial preparations are nothing
short of gigantic. Details of the new
Liberty loan are close at hand, and
the banking element is ready to do
its full patriotic duty in that connec-
ton AS q cheerful investment senti-
ment must be had to promote the
success OF war financing, it Is reason
able to infer that the stock market
will be properly taken care of. It
should of course be understood that
no funds are likely to be available
for speculative excess-war needs
will prevent that; but legitimate spec
ulative investments of a conservative
character is not prohibited.