South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-20

copper producers, no definite action
has yet been taken in the matter of
fixing prices for copper metal for
nearby delivery. They state that the
government proposed TO maintain
the % 1-2 cent rate for four weeks,
but that this proposition met with
opposition especially from Boston
producers, and the belief is enter
tanned that announcement soon will
be made OF an advance in the fixed
price to % cents a pound.
The movement in Pittsburgh and
West Virginia TO a new high level
for the year to 81 "a is said to be
engineered by a New York commits
sion house acting for one of the
most conservative houses of Phila-
delphia. The buy is based on a be-
lief that the common stock will &C
on a dividend basis some time this
year.
The Mexican department of COM
merce and industry has made public
"a bill which will be introduced at
the September session of congress
providing that the petroleum indus
try shall be designated as a public
utility. Directions are given in the
bill in regard TO the procedure
which must be followed by the pres
ent owners of oil lands to obtain
new titles from the government.
The new constitution of Mexico
provides that only native or natura-
lized Mexicans or Mexican corpora
tons shall have the right to file on
oil or mining lands, but special con-
cessions. says the dispatch. will be
granted by the government to aliens
if they agree to submit to Mexican
laws. This accounted for the
strength CT Mexican Petroleum.
The American truck making in
dustry will be called upon in 1918
u fIl the motor vehicle transporta
ton needs of the United States
army as we'll as the demand Of do
nestle business. Truck manufacture
will be carried on at the rate of be-
tween 100000 and 100000 trucks a
year, compared with 10000 in
iSl ana SZsUUu III 1917
Plants of motor accessory con-
Germs are we'll fitted for war produc-
ton. United Motors in 1918 will do
we'll over 100000 of government
business.
Motor Products will de between
$4,000 and 100000 in 1918,
including truck, tractor and aero
plane parts.
The Nichols Copper Co. copper
refinery. the biggest in the world,
/ located at Laurel Hill, L. l., closed
down on Thursday. However. Off
Gals have taken the matter up with
| Washington and expect an imme-
date decision in their favor so that
! operations can be resumed without
delay. All the refineries in New Jer-
sey are still operating. and will con-
/ tinue to do SO unless Washington
decides that they do not require
continuous operation.
Messages from Pittsburgh were
TO the effect that if coal operators
/ and miners were able 10 obtain nee
eSSdIN cars euOIulOuS NollldBc'
might he expected from the Pitts
I burgh district during the next few
! DAYS. The railroad companies have
started running down empty cars,
and have worked out plans to de-
liver as promptly as possible load
ed cars consigned TO them.
Since organize ton in 1898. Ma
| tional Biscuit has paid out Of earn
| ings 10 consecutive quarterly divi-
| dends OF l ga percent on the pre-
I ferred stock on the common stock
II dividends have been paid-50
quarterly dividends OF percent.
eight OF l IA percent, eight Of II
percent. and q Of l "a percent.
Three extra dividends of 1 percent
each were paid in 1906, 1907 and
1908. and one extra OF percent in
1911.