Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-12-28
Exchange in New Quarters.

The year was marked by the Secur-
ing of a new home for the exchange
in the Washington Building when the
American Security g. Trust Co. started
its new annex. The new quarters have
all the conveniences for trading and
changes in other cities of equal size.
During the year the exchange lost
through death one of its Oldest men,
bers, Albion K. Paris. Mr.. Paris
served as president in 1894, was con-
slant attendant in his active days in
the financial district and in late years
had been the generally accepted his
torian
Several new Iistings added to the
usefulness of the local mart during the
year, as follows: 5000 shares Emerson's
Bromo-Seltzer; 5000 shares Columbia
Medical Corporation; 10000 shares
Prince Georges Bank g. Trust Co;
100000 Columbia Country Club 512s,
and 100000 Washington Gas Light
AIS. Mayhower Hotel IS, National
Press Building first 5laS and three
Wardman Realty Properties bond issues
were added to the unlisted department
Transfers of seats during the year
were: A. H. Reside to NJ. r. West
heimer; estate of Charles j. Bell to
Charles E. Howe, Frank B. Pryor to
to G. G. Parker. The exchange officers
in addition to President Watson include:
Edward L. Hillyer, vice president; c. j.
Gockeler, secretary, and James NJ
Johnston, treasurer.
The most active bonds on the list
have been Capital Traction SIS. Potomac
Electric Power Consolidated SIS, Wash
ington Gas Light issues and Washington
Railway g. Electric Consolidated As. In
he 1ick fol Dot
Electric Power preferred, Railway &
Electric preferred, LanSton Monotype
and Mergenthaler Linotype have been
among the most favored issues.
Local bank stocks have held up well,
several still being well above $4O0 q
share, among them Columbia National,
Lincoln National, Riggs National, Ma
tional Savings & Trust, Washington
Loan g. Trust, Security Savings g. Com
mercial and United States Savings.
Local Trade Outstrips Country.
According to the Federal Reserve
Board, retail trade in Washington and
the rest of the fifth Federal Reserve
district has eclipsed nearly all other
sections of the country in 1880. The
steady Government pay FOIL, with the
resultant less unemployment, is the
reason for this pleasing condition.
in this area was only per cent behind
the corresponding period last year, only
the New York district registering any
better showing, and Boston equaling the
record here. In the United States as a
whole, 572 stores reported a drop of z
per cent in department store sales In
the same period.
Furthermore, except Norfolk, WASH
ington made the best showing Of any
city in the fifth district in the IL
months. Retail sales in the Capital
were of only Is per cent, while Balti-
more stood third with drop of but IL
per cent.
While percentage figures make WASH
ington stand out like beacon light
ahead of most of the other cities In
the United States, yet all local mer-
chants are not so enthusiastic over bust
ness here. Some declare trade far from
satisfactory and report that too many
people have neglected to buy the higher
priced goods.
That general business outside of store
sales has not been so rosy Is shown
in the Reserve Board reports on fail
ures. The Richmond bank reports that
a large number of small business enter
prises have gone to the wall during
1880. Vacant stores in various parts OF
the Capital tell their own stories of
| financial stress and heartacheS.
An estimated distribution of about
| $7000,000 in Christmas club savings in
Washington was an important factor in
| holiday trade, although an unusually
| large portion of this money Is said tt
have been returned to the banks and
other funds used in the payment o;
| year end bills.
What Is Ahead for 1881?
1 So much for 1880 in washington
| What of 1881? 1t is hard to say, but
! economists insist that the sun viii
shine more brightly through the finan.
cial mists during the coming year.
1t Is dinned into our ears daily tina
stocks have "scraped bottom" are nov
| in strong hands" and are reall,
turning" also that business cycles
are not obsolete.
Every depression has come to an end
and this one has already run longe
than most others. Business need
nothing but an increase in demand fo
goods. The demand will come whel
the old suit, overcoat, felt hat or derb,
and the old shoes wear no longer. Tha
time has already arrived for a multi
tude of people and Is fast approach
ing for a host more. Besides man,
have never stopped buying.
The speeding up of business ma
chinery is held certain and the hum o
industry will be louder in 1881. Tn
big question Is how soon" Perhap