New-York tribune., 1919-09-25


FINANCIAL EDITOR, The Tribune,
II 15a Nassau Street. New York city.
shares Of Cosden e. Co., which
purchased over three years ago at
$3.50 per share. | am getting little
tired of listening to reports about what
it is anticipated it will do very shortly,
etc, and yet it seems to me that there
is no apparent reason why this stock
should not sell much higher. SO much
talk about its being accumulated
by outside interests, etc, kneps one
continually guessing. | would like to
have your opinion on this issue and
what you think about its prospects Of
selling higher in the near future.-J.
S. M.
Answer-Cosdcn & Co. pays at
the rate of 10 per cent per annum
on it's common stock and sells for
about $12 per share, or 24O per cent of
its par value. The income account for
1912, the latest available, showed
operating income of $9567 1894. and de-
preciation depletion, war taxes and
other charges were $5,921,811.
Question-Fifty shares of Bethlehem
Steel, Glass b, was purchased outright
at SOL. In view of tho uncertain out
look, would it be advisable to sell these
stocks? Give reason. How does Beth
lchcm compare with United States
Steel common?-F. B. c.
Answcr-Bethlehem Steel. like most
other common issues, fuctuates with
the course of the market and is sub
bought the stock for investment purely,
you could do better by investing the
proceeds in some good industrial pre-
fcrrcd stock yielding between and
per cent, whereas Bethlehem common
stock yields slightly more than per
cent. If you fear the outlook, why
hold stock of this character? Bethle-
hem Steel is not to be considered as
strong company as United States
Steel, for the reason that there has not
been as much money put back into the
property nor has it the dividend record
Of Steel common. Moreover while
tiuctuating during the war period,
United States Steel has done none.
Question am holder of fifty
shares of Toledo, st. Louis g. Western
5,
and would like to trade them for st.
Louis Southwestern preferred What
IS your opinion? Is the latter one a
better investment &C. G. B.
Answer-Neither Toledo, st. Louis E
Western preferred nor St. Louis South
western may be considered an invest
mcnt, Tor neither pays a dividend. Fhe
Toledo road is in receivership, and the
preferred stock appears far from a div
ldend The amount carried as the
guaranteed income applicable TO the
preferred stock was only 81 Der cent
in 1918. The st. Louis Southwestern
preferred, on the other hand, earned 7
per cent during the same period I'm
doubtedly you would do better to have
st. Louis Southwestern, but you GER
income is concerned
Question What is your opinion Of
American Druggist Syndicate as an in
vestment? What brokers can applv
to. and how do you transact business
through them? If | am compelled to
sell my shares in a short time. can |
do so ?-B. N.
Answer-There is outstanding S4.-
1880 stock of an authorized issue of
Sl0,0O0,0OO of American Druggists
oyhdlcate. The company has been in
the habit of issuing small amounts of
stock from time to time to pay for ac-
questions and improvements. The par
value of the stock is $40 and as it
sells for about Sll the selling price
is equal to 40 per cent Dividends
have been paid since 1911, ranging
from per cent per annum to II per
cent in 1917. The present rate is 8
per cent, or so cents a share There
is no Bonded debt, and the company
owns a factory and laboratories at
Long Island City and cotton mill
and water power rights at East kil-
i'ngty, Conn. The company appears to
be well managed and the president has
stated that the outlook for the coming
year is bright. If you are desirous of
investing your funds so you will not
be influenced by fluctuations in market
prices. you might do we'll to buy some
good bond or preferred stock, for, gen
orally speaking, common stock issues
are not stable, either in price or diyi-
dends. The American Druggists SYN
dicate is listed on the New York Stock
Exchange, and any broker having
membership in the exchange whose
advertisement appears in The Tribune
will gladly explain to you the mode Of
procedure. You may sell your shares
whenever you desire.
Question: have Pierce Oh stock
and Ontario Silver stock What do YOU
think about them for investment .
G. 7. S.