Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-10-17
GOSSIP OF The STREET
TRADERS IGNORE
PANIC IN BERLIN
So Far as Finance l. Concerned.
Germany Has Ceased to
Count Here

The financial district was not very
much disturbed yesterday over the news
that Berlin banking circles were IN
panic over President wilson's note.
Financial Berlin has virtually ceased 10
exist for some time past as Tar as
this country is concerned, and anything
unusual in banking circles over there
holds no interest here The stock mar
ket was very erratjc after the opening
and continued that way for some tinre
Yesterday but in the afternoon It de-
veioped great strength, with Mexican
Pete" and Studebaker attracting the
most attention.
A well-known broker when asked #
he thought there was any manipulation
back of the movement in Mexican
Pete" said he thought there We're
variety of reasons for its spectacular
performances during the last few days
.One I believe is" he said, that som'
big buyers have developed a short in
terest and are seeking 10 cover ant
can't Another is the company has GO;
the goods and, being essentially a peace
stock. It is acting in accordance with
other peace stocks; and a third reason
to my mind is that Mexico has come 20
have at least a decent respect for the
United States army and navy and is
no longer going around with a chip on
her shoulder, knowing that her best
customer when this war is over will be
the United States, and for that reason
oil prospects in Mexico are certain TO
advance in value"
AS to Studebaker, another broker gave
az the reason for the marked advance
In that stock the prospects Of an early
peace "Studeb baker" he remarked. IT'S
now a war stock, because they are man
nfacturing so much for the Government {;
but the moment the war is over they
have an accumulation of orders 10 fl
that will keep them busy for two or
three years at a profit far beyond what
they can make by working for the Gov
ernment, so that in reality Studebaker
is a peace stock
layman asked a banker yesterday
what was the best stock to invest i'm at
the present time and got for an answer !;
THE best stock at present is any good
bond" And of course the inference
meant that the best bond is a Liberty
Bond.
German PriIehghters
The barber across the street got
OF a good one yesterday that started a
lot OF us thinking" said prominent
banker we were talking about the
fRhtsng qualities of the Germans, when
he said that collectively under officers
they were fair fighters, but individually
they are no good. Did ever any one" he
asked, hear of German przefighter
and sure enough, not one Of us did. and
81 had never occurred to us before 81
"Yes." broke In the bankers partner
s'but as clowns. acrobats and tumblers
they are there everytime,'
Then some one remarked about the
Righteous Indignation Of the Germans
over President wilson's insincerity, and
their beautifully sincere offer of peace
while they burn cities and murder inno-
cent women and children. Bankers
cfliees yesterday were given over be-
tween quotations to such discussions.
Another banker said in the same con-
y necfion that he predicted such a result
<>xo weeks ago. II Germany should be
+ met with a demand from the Allies Of
Absolute surrender or it's equivalent.
Hu(. be added. action on Germany's part
y d Save on the inevitable at this late
&@<& h absurd. II am told. he said,
~ nronf reliable authority. that Ger
~ b IN desperate straits for ammu-
||tn. and under such circumstances
~ Qennpf " long delayed.