Evening star., 1918-01-13
BY I. A. FLEMING.

The indications are strong that the
government plans to control issues OF
securities during the war period, If, in
deed, not for a longer term.
BY the same reasoning the chances
are that financing in lines of merchan-
dising and manufacturing that are not
of vital necessity to the people or to
the conduct of the war will be discour-
aged, while other lines that meet with
the acid test of need and use in war
purposes will be encouraged.
1t is even within the possibilities that
the mobilizing of finances for war.
through the prevention Of use for other
purposes, might follow through to the
uufred for the sustenance and needs
Of people or aid of the military or naval
forces.
tiytties Of the day and all in one dlrec-
tion-the production of necessities and
war needs
THAT this all important step may be
Of the third liberty loan bonds, as an
aid to that campaign. Is CONSIDERED
probable.
evidenced by the placing Of contracts
for the posters used to advertise the
loan and by the activities OF the re-
gional federal reserve banks M in Obtain ,ias
expectations" of the banks OF the
country-the amount of bonds that they
are expected to purchase and sell.
Street Railway Statistics.
The annual report of the Capital
Traction Company. presented curing
tide of prosperity toward the corpora
ton. On Saturday of this week the
Washington Railway and Electric COM
pany will hold its annual meeting and
give out its report of earnings and ex-
penses during the year 1917.
Much interest is expressed in hnan-
cial circles regarding the showing to
be made, hope being freely expressed
that gross earnings and net pronts wliI
show gains, and that the loss through
the big strike will not be as serious as
indicated by the reduction in the COM
mon dividend.
For years increasing cost of opera
tion, the added cost OF carrying tnou.
sands of passengers many miles on
transfers after accepting An cents
passage on the original ride, and the
private automobile have operated
against the fractions lines to such an
extent that they seemed to lose prestige
as high grade Investments, and, in
Washington no less than in other cities.
serious declines in fractions, as in other
utilities, were in order.
With the coming of thousands of new
street railway traffic has become very
heavy, SO much SO that now there
seem to be very few hours that are
not rush traffic hours" for the various
street car lines.
With the turn fort better, which
should continue, unless labor condi-
tions become more serious than they
are now, it is within the probabilities
that higher prices may be reached in
the near future.
Lincoln National Plans Improvement
At the last meeting of the directors
of the Lincoln National Bank. the
president of the institution was author
lied to appoint committee OF hve to
investigate the needs of the bank for
additional quarters. and to suggest
available plans for submission to the
board at a later meeting.
1t is the intention of the bank Of
hcials to remain on their present site,
the corner of d and 7th streets north
west, being one of 1the busiest IN the
immediate sections. where the clientele
of the Lincoln National is located.
Officials of the institution do not be-
leve in making too large expenditures IN
a home. In the event of an agreement
being reached, 1t will probably be
on the part of the COM
mittee for the construction OF bank
ing building on the present lot 1or the
sole purpose and use OF the bank
The Improvement will cost, II under
taken, in the neighborhood OF sl00,ooo
The Lincoln National Bank has made
great progress in it's present location
during the last few years and under
the careful direction of its official ros-
ter and directors.
The Question of Labor.
The question of labor is still a domi-
nant one with banks and in many other
lines of commercial business.
Women are ma king their appearance
in larger numbers around the banks
than ever before, while they may even
be found at windows, assuming the du-
ties of tellers.
Further calls to service from among
the Young men are likely within the next
few weeks.
Important Revenue Rulings.
During the week ended last evening
the internal revenue bureau made two
very important decisions. but the full
action to be taken under ruling 2609 |
will not be made until after the Su- |
preme Court shall have definitely acted /
on the case now before it,
No ruling has a greater Importance |
10 the tens of thousands OF investors In /
this country than covered by Treasury I
decision 2609, and the hope of the Sc
curity world is that it may stand as
Advice given to make reports at the |
cost price rather than the market value, I
On the theory that stocks will be SO |
much higher during the year 1913 than
in 1917, does not seem to be followed
by investment bankers. They know OF