Evening star., 1936-01-05
VOLUME REACHES
S|X-YEAR PEAK ON
CAPITAL EXCHANGE
1885 Shares and S1,117,-
600 in Bonds Are Traded
During IL Months.
BANK STOCKS RECOVER
POPULARITY IN PERIOD
CAPITAL Traction Is Most Active
on Investment List-Capital
Transit Tops Equity Sales.
BY EDWARD C. STONE

1OLdl UTdQlIlS III SIOChS anu DOiA1
on the Washington Stock Exchange
in 1885 scored substantial gains over
the turnover in 1894, the figures re-
vealing the best business year since
the 1929 Wall Street smash which re-
suited In such severe blows to other
exchanges.
The dollar turnover in the bond
division reached the sum OF Sl,ll7,6oo
during 1895. The stock division re-
corded a change in ownership OF
174OO shares during the IL months.
according to a compilation made by
w. B. Hbbs & Co., a gain OF 1906
shares, as the 1884 stock turnover was
1885 shares.
The money turnover in utility bonds
alone in 1885 amounted to S1,096,900,
against s7e6,200 a year ago, a jump
of $500, 700. Trading in unlisted bonds
alone during the year Just ended
totaled $40, TOO The 1885 open, high,
low and closing quotations, together
with the amount of trading in each
issue and the approximate yields, ap-
pears elsewhere in the financial Sec
ton today.
Advances Are Impressive.
There were many notable gains in
prices during the year Capital Trac-
ton first IS were the most active
bonds on the list, the turnover reach
ing S509,000. These bonds opened
the year at 90, went to 100, and closed
at 9214. Next in activity came Wash
ington Railway & Electric As, with a
s123,5O0 turnover, prices moving from
ee1s to 1855 during the year.
Anacostia & Potomac River first SIS
1949. stood third in popularity, moving
from 78 to IS. City & Suburban Rail-
way first SIS stood in excellent demand
climbing from 78aa to SO. Washing
ton Gas Light SIS. 1858. were much in
the limelight. while Washington Gas
SIS, 1860, were even more active. These
bonds moved from 110l2 to fi9 and
closed the year at 1854. AZ usual
the Potomac Electric Power issues
we're in steady demand at steady
prices Washington Gas IS, Series B,
stood well to the front in trading in
terest.
While the return to favor by bank
stocks was the outstanding feature of
stock trading during the year, the
largest share activity was in Capital
Transit, 5,732 shares changing hands
in 1885. The stock opened at 26 and
closed at Is. The demand for Wash
ington Railway & Electric preferred
u-it1 RI
107, followed by a 1910 turnover in
Potomac Electric Power 5l2 per cent
preferred
Riggs Common Bank Leader.
Riggs National Bank common was
the most popular bank stock on the
list, recording volume of 439 shares
American Security & Trust came next
with transfers of 389 shares. Wash
ington Loan & Trust, National Saw
tngs &, Trust and Riggs National pre-
ferred we're also among the years most
active issues
In the miscellaneous list Mergen-
thaler Linotype was the leader with
1852 shares moving. the price going
from 3012 to above 40. Woodward &
Lothrop common sold to the extent of
1925 shares, with the price advancing
from % to 40, Lanston Monotype
stood third. Here. as among utility
and bank stocks there we're some no
table advances, this part of the list
holding much attention and adding
its full share of the fine record on
the whole board.
Trading yesterday, on the first Sat-
urday of the new year, saw Capital
Traction IS selling at 921s and Po-
tomac Electric Power 5la per cent
preferred stock changing ownership at
1141a.
Two dividends were announced on
the Exchange: the regular Washing
ton Gas Light Co. quarterly dividend
Of 80 cents share, payable Febru-
ary l to stock of record January Is
and the regular quarterly dividend of
40 cents share on Carpet Corp. pay
able January Is to shareholders of
record January 8.
ID. C. Trade Hits New Peak.
Department store sales in Wash
ington in the last week of 1885 were
7.3 per cent ahead of the correspond
ing week year ago, the Department
of Commerce reported yesterday while
for the month of December they reg
iStered gain of 118 per cent over
the same 1884 month and for the full
year 1885 were 1876 per cent above
the mark set in 1894.
Washington bank clearings declined
1875 per cent from the previous week,
but were slightly higher than in the
corresponding week year ago. De-
cenber clearings were 1877 per cent
higher than In the same 1884 month
and for the full year registered q gain
Of 26.6 per cent, $935,056, 800 being
compared with s738, 700 in 1884,
the report stated.
The value Of building permits dur
ing the latest week was the same as in
the previous week, but 1876 per cent
higher than the corresponding week
year ago. December permits were
1859 per cent higher than in De-
cember. 1884, while total figures for
1885 showed 1918 for 3.210 buildings
valued at $17,169. TAO, compared with
492 permits for 876 buildings valued
at $e,639. .2S0 in 1884. a gain of 1881
per cent in dollar volume.
The influx Of visitors in the Capital
as reflected by registrations at the
Smithsonian Institution showed 49,
$40 last week. against 1891 the pre-
vious week and 29,423 for the same
1884 week. December registrations
were 62.528 as compared with 74,334
In the same month year ago.
In the whole fifth district, including
Washington. trade last week showed
greatly increased activity over last
year. although 1t registered the nor
NAL post-holiday recession.