Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1938-11-06
Market Is Dull!
Pending Result
Of Elections
Pivotal Stocks Resist
Declines; Volume Sogs
To Only 434,410
What Stocks d
Total issues -
By FREDERICK GARDNER,
Associated Press Financial Writer.

NEW YORK, Nov. 5.-Speculative
forces yawned in Wall Street today
and the stock market finished a
generally sloW-going week, with
prices narrow either way.
With the exchange closed two
days next week, Tuesday for the
elections and Friday for Armistice
Day, boardroom customers appar-
emily decided to keep decks reason
ably clear in order to be prepared
for eventualities.
The days business news was mod
erately cheering and holders of
pivotal stocks continued to display
reluctance to sell.
The tWo-hour proceedings were
the most apathetic in nearly two
months. Transfers of 4344l0 shares
compared with 6l3990 last Satur-
day. The six-day volume was less
than half that of the week before.
The Associated Press average of so
issues was up i of point at 52.5
today and this was exactly the net
gain for the week.
Hold Small Gains.
In the closing session modest M
provement was retained by Ana
conda. Kennecott, America xssS melt-
ing, United States SIT I'm tthle-
hem, General MotorsSA sNVnry slcr,
American Telephone, Westinghouse,
Douglas Aircraft. United States
Rubber preferred and Du Pont.
Rails, utilities and mail orders
followed slim groove
The days bond and commodity
prices were about as jumbled as
stocks. Wheat at Chicago was OF
!, TO ? of a cent bushel and corn
was up "A to So. Cotton was ahead
5 cents a bale to down 80 cents.
Sterling and the French franc We're
virtually unchanged in terms of the
dollar
Dipping fractionally in an irregu
lar curb market were Electric Bond
q Share, Niagara Hudson Power
Cities Service and Gulf. A shade
higher were Lake Shore, Humble
Oil, United Gas and New Jersey
Zinc. Turnover of 1000 shares,
compared with 10000 week ago.
Copper Shares Recover.
Copper shares, laggard recently,
enjoyed a late recovery today on
reports from Chile that the new
government taking Office next
month would maintain a friendly
attitude toward American interests
Anaconda and Kennecott both have
important holdings in that country.
Last weeks decision of the Presi-
dents Fact-Finding Board against
a rail wage cut gave carrier shares
an uncomfortable time for a while
on Monday, but these quickly
steadied and most ended the week
with net advances. Bolstering these
stocks were indications the next
Congress would move for legislation
to aid shakv roads. In addition, a
contra seasonal increase in last
weeks freight loadings was en-
couraging.
Utilities were somewhat depressed
in the latter part of the week as
the Government filed an anti trust
suit against Columbia Gas. This
company's stocks and bonds were
particularly heavy.
Forecasts of another increase in
mill operations next week kept steels
on balance. Motors found support
in a pickup in output to a new
peak for the year and predictions
OF growing demand for the latest car
models. DWindling tire inventories
in the hands of distributors spurred
shares of rubber companies. Build
ing material issues developed
strength as construction awards
mounted.