Evening star., 1922-12-23
INDIVIDUAL STOCKS
SOAR DURING WEEK
Reparations 0vershadoW All
Other Problems in Finan-
ciaI Markets.
BUSINESS OUTLOOK GOOD
Rail Reports Reflect Strike Losses.
Stock Melons Reach
$2,ooo,0oo,0 900.
BUSINESS OUTLOOK GOOD
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
NEW YORK, December 2s.-The
German reparations question over
shadowed all other subjects of discus
sion in this weeks financial markets.
Attention was centered on this prob
lem by the announcement of j. P.
Morgan & Co. on Monday that they
had notified the German ambassador
that no international loan to Ger
many could be considered or dis
cussed unless and until the repara-
tionS question was settled The state
ment was issued to set al rest flock
of rumors that were making it embar-
RAISING both for the administration
and for local international bankers.
Considerable interest was aroused
later In the week by the announce
ment that the United States Chamber
Of Commerce had injected itself into
unravel the financial tangle, but
bankers withheld comment pending
moro definite developments.
Special Stocks Jump.
The main body of stocks showed
few important changes. although
there were several interesting move
ments in individual shares. The most
spectacular of these took place in
Mexican Petroleum. which opened
Thursday at 262. advanced to 322 in
sales OF 1OO-share lots and then drop
ped back OF 800 for a net gain of 70
on the day. Belated covering by trap
ped short interests was ascribed as
the reason for the sensational rise.
Baldwin also was active at rising
prices. closing the week 10n points
above last Saturdays final figure. Sew
erHl high ho y
were made during the week, includ-
ing Fisher Body, Pond Creek Coal
Stromberg Carburetor and Stewart
Warner Speedometer
Business Outlook Bright.
Business prospects continue en-
couraging. Weekly reviews of the
iron and steel industry declared that
year end activity was unusually high
and the seasonal shutdowns In the
motor industry will be the shortest
in history, present indications point
ing to another record breaking year
IN 1923. copper and lead prices
reached new high levels for the year.
rejecting an increased demand for
those metals. Wheat also sold at
record prices during the week.
Strike Losses KeenIy Felt.
Additional evidence of the enormous
loss incurred by the railroads be-
cause or the Shopmen'S strike was
seen in the action of the directors OF
the Great Northern railroad in cut
ting the preferred dividend to 5 per
cent from Z. rate which had been
paid without interruption since 1899.
The Improbable nature of the ship
ping industry during the last year
was shown by a reduction of the
semi-annual preferred dividend of
International Mercantile Marine stock
from SO to S1.50. putting 1t on a 3
per cent annual basis instead of 6.
$2.OOO.OOO,O 900 In Melons.
More stock dividend announcements
came out during the week, bringing
the total amount distributed In the
last few months to approximately
$1,000, 100000. Official announcement
was made during the week, however,
that neither the General Electric
Company nor the United States Steel
Corporation contemplated such action,
denying rumors to that effect,
Money rates were slightly easier.
Few important changes took place
in the foreign exchange market, de-
nand sterling holding fairly steady
around s4.6+. with other European
rates showing slight Improvement.