Evening star., 1919-06-16
SOME PLANS THAT
WERE S|DETRACKED
Boston Bankers Reported to
Have Suggested Candidate
for Board Craftsmanship.
DIVIDENDS ARE DECLARED
BY I. A. FLEMING.

The United States Investor. we'll
known financial publication, i'll its lat
est issue, refers to the recent acquisi-
ton of block of stock in the Com
mercial National Bank by Boston in
terests. making the statement that
control had been purchased. and
further asserting that Ashton G. Clap
ham, a former president of the insti-
tuition, would again become president.
on the retirement of r. f. Boiling, the
present incumbent.
Investigation disclosed the fact that
MIR. Clapham's name was suggested as
chairman of the board of directors at
the meeting of that body on Thursday
evening last, following the resignation
of Frank F. Harman as chairman. but
that the sentiment of the directors was
against such action. according to the
best obtainable information.
Evidently the United States Investor.
usually very correct in its reports.
vas incorrectly Informed. for the Bos-
ton bankers and their associates have
acquired but 5000 shares out of TO-
600 shares. the total outstanding.
lacking 2,001 shares to be in control.
Moreover it was stated with positive
ress that the Boston interests would
unless Mr.. Boiling agreed to remain
as executive head of the bank.
There have been many rumors in
circulation with regard to the trans
sction, the great majority without
foundation and based simply or hear
say and rumor.
One of these had to do with a mer-
ser of five financial institutions with
the Commercial National, and in four
out of the five there wasn't a scintilla
nf n
Dividends Declared.
The Columbia Title Company and
the Real Estate Title Company have
each declared semi-annual dividends
Of 3 per cent, both payable June so,
with the books closing June 20 to 80,
inclusive, for both companies
Important Meeting Tomorrow.
There will be an important meeting
of the District Bankers Association
tomorrow morning at IL o'clock in
the rooms of the local stock exchange,
for a short consideration of the con-
vention program and other details of
the coming gathering
Every bank should be represented in
an effort to make this first state
that it may become an annual gath
ering for the good of local banking.
Double the Dividend.
The Farmers and Mechanics State
Bank of Seat Pleasant, Md. has added
TO it's enviable record by going on a
IL per cent annual dividend basis.
the recent declaration being 3 per
cent for the quarter as compared with
! y per cent, the former quarterly
payment. Deposits have increased IS
per cent.
Graphophone Shares Strong.
Columbia Graphophone shares were
decidedly firm on today's session of
the local stock exchange, the common
shares being held at $50 with $40
bid. while the preferred moved up
to S.
Mergenthaler made a new high at
1871. but eased to 149 at the close.
Capital Traction shares sold at 90H
a slight reaction from recent valua-
tions. Bids of 80 were made for Rail
way common with the asking price
off to 40; the preferred was nominal
at so bid and So asked.
Washington Gas stock sold spar
ingly at 521 to SO.
Bond sales were restricted to Trac-
tion 5s at 95 and Metropolitan Rail-
way IS at 90.