Evening star., 1922-03-26
BETTER CONDITIONS ARE
= EVIDENCED IN BUSINESS
Plan to Beat the Hold-up Bandits NC
Faddens Amendment to Reserve
Act-Notes.
BY l. A. FLEMING.


II we arc to believe the statements
Of President Harding. Secretary Mel
lon and Judge Gary; the reports of
additional freight cars being used in
service and larger daily clearings of
the chief cities Of the country. then
business is getting better.
These opinions are given with full
knowledge Of the threatened strike
Of an army Of coal workers. which
is probably looked upon more or less
calmly, as the general sentiment OF
the public, which frequently wins
strikes, is entirely opposed to them
at this time, when recovery is fairly
initiated.
The betterment has far to go and as
yet is confined almost entirely to the
United States and some of the smaller
powers that played no part In the
great war.
The farmer. one Of the greatest
buyers and consumers of American
manufacturers, is better off. made so
by higher prices for his products, and
is more encouraged to the general
helping Of the outlook.
the steel and iron trade wAS accredit-
ed with being the Thermometer OF
actual conditions II 1t is still in
fluential, Judge Gary's statement that
the Steel Corporation was operating
to 70 per cent furnishes much en-
couragement.
Money is still in ample supply. with
the reserve ratio Of the federal re-
serve system at the highest point
since 1917, which means before the
war as far as we are concerned.
Would Spend Money Here.
Some efforts are being made to
secure enactment of laws providing
all money raised in the United states
on foreign loans should be expended
in the United States. .
The great loans to our allies IN
1s17-1sIS were all expended in the
United States and were largely re-
sponsible for the great rush Of in
dustrial activity soon after the decla-
ration of war, until Armistice day, ac-
celerated by our own heavy expenol-
lures.
tating of devasted French cities coulo
not very well be expended here.
Otherwise, with the exception Of re-
funding loans, there might be
chance that such action would nelp
business.
VnluabIes Moved With Safety.
Needs of the day will be produced.
Bandits. hold-ups, all the various
types of getting something for moth
ing, without even considering human
life in the effort. have induced tine
Adams Express Company to install
new service to meet the requirements
Of the situation.
The company is now installing
system of armed motor trucks Tor
heavy guard which should practl-
cally lessen, if not wholly eliminate
the possibility Of loss.
Each truck will have driver and
five armed guards, the driver in a
bullet-proof glass cab and the guards
bottom. with armor plate that will
withstand .45-caliber steel-nose bull,
lets, with the specially constructed
safe anchored in the compartment.
the combination known only to the
men in the crew. the dial being re-
Portfolios offer opportunity for
sawed -off gun defense.
1t is possible for the guards to stop
the car at pleasure.
OF course, the car cannot withstand
dynamite and heavy numerical ad-
vantage with the bandits. but the
latter must fight in the open.
New York city will receive the hrst
service and extension elsewhere IS
DlanneO. uccuS oo6Sh "
the machines and guards at once
Handling of pay rolls will be facili-
tated, also the distribution OF them.
Two one-ton speed wagons are now
in the service, which promises to
revolutionize present methods or
banking institutions and Industrial
concerns in moving money and Sc
curities.
Another service plans collection
of deposits for banks.
Local Investments.
Bargains. as to dividend returns
on investments seem to be available
in the local stock market. just as
advantageous as any offered in the
general market. Net returns are
greater than offered by some Of the
non-listed private companies. stocks
of which are not listed on any eX-
change.
Eugene E. Thompson. president of
the Washington Stock Exchange. has
prepared the following table show
ing date of maturity, price and yield
on the most active group Of bonds
listed on the exchange, and also the
return on a few stocks. dividend and
price, with dates of maturity.
In connection with some of the
stocks reference is made to tax ex-
emption features.
The lists follow:
Rnnda Due Price Yield