Evening star., 1938-04-22
TELEPHONES GAIN
IN FIRST QUARTER
Daily Average Calls and
KiIoWatt Hour Total
Also Increase.
By EDWARD C. STONE.

By EDWARD C. STONE.
Telephone activity in Washington In
the first quarter of 1888 made an ex-
cellent showing, both the number OF
telephones placed in service and the
number OF daily originating calls
showing notable increases according
to the latest reports from the Chesa-
peake e. Potomac Telephone Co.
The number of telephones installed
In the first two months were far ahead
of last year. while detailed figures for
March show that Washington was
served by 229.829 telephones at the
end of the month. compared with 2l7.-
a61 at the end of March. 1887. There
was an increase of 96l phones during
March this year.
There was an average OF 963,947
originating calls per day for March.
as compared with 89l ,653 average
daily calls during March. 1887. About
the same gains were registered in the
first two months over the like 1887
periods.
Kilowatt hour sales in the District in
the first three months of 1888 were
far ahead of the same quarter of 1887.
In March alone kilowatt hour sales
were 4.555.2l4 ahead of last year.
gain of 8.64 per cent. the Potomac
Electric Power Co. reports.
These important barometers do not
indicate any business recession IN
WASHINGTON Bank clearines, how
ever were off moderately in the same
period After January postal receipts
also turned downward. Both indexes
were only slightly lower. The same
was true of retail trade in the first
quarter, comparisons being little
under the same period last year, but
we'll above other years.
Cahil Associate Manager.
Robert F. Cahill who has been
customers man in the Washington
Office of the New York Stock Exchange
firm of LaidlaW & Co. for the past
three wears. has been made an asso-
ciate manager, G. Bowie Chapman. who
opened the office here several years ago.
announced today.
Mr. Cahill has been in the securities
business in Washington for 10 years.
He is a native of the Capital his father
being the late James A. Cahill who was
vice president of the old Commercial
National Bank. The new associate
manager is a son-in-law of Joseph P.
Tumulty. who was the late President
Woodrow wilson's secretary and is
now practicing law here.
Mr.. Cahill was with j. S. Bache e.
Co. in the Washington Hotel Office be-
fore going with LaidlaW g. Co. He is
the second associate manager to be
announced recently, C. Carroll Nor
Il Co.. having assumed similar posi-
ton with Mr.. Chapman few days ago.
Building Estimates Cheerful.
As the building industry made the
turn into spring. there was continued
evidence that building could be ex-
pected to share we'll in, and perhaps
lead, recovery march, according to
the April issue of Building The
magazine points out that while general
business has been skidding along at
level about 35 per cent lower than
that recorded year ago, estimated
expenditures for building construction
during the first three months of this
year were 85 per cent less than for
the same period in 1887.
According to Building, the amount
indicated for expenditure for building
construction during the current two
month period-April and Mays
ago The estimate includes building
activity in all urban areas of the
entire United States.
The magazine says there exist at the
present time many reassuring basic
facts that are leading private capital
to look favorably to residential projects
as investment possibilities
Moulton Sees Rise in Fall.
DR.. Harold G. Moulton, president of
Brookings Institution, Washington.
told Chicago advertising men the other
day that he can see no permanent re-
covery at present. at the same time
holding out little hope that the Presi-
dents spending program can turn the
tide. DR.. Moulton criticised existing
disparitieS between the cost of living
and consuming buying power as hold
ing back lasting recovery.
The present depression was brought
on, he said, from too rapidly rising
wages without offsetting improve
ments in the technique of production.
Under such conditions, while hourly
wage rates were advanced, weekly and
monthly earnings declined with the re-
suit that the cost of living has chung
to depression levels, while buying
power has been sharply reduced.
DR.. Moulton said that he looks for
some pickup this fall in consumers
goods lines and that Government
spending should aid such improve
ment.
United Shows Traffic Gains.
United Air Lines showed a 36 per
cent increase in traffic during March
over the preceding month by flying a
total of 6,577,27l revenue passenger
miles over its New York Chicago
Pacific Coast airway This marked a "a
per cent increase over March. 1887. the
Washington Office reported today.
a
OF 560,3O5 pounds of airmail and 183,-
652 pounds Of air express over its New
York-Chicago-Pacific Coast and Seat
tle-San Diego airways.
Safe Deposit Section Meets.
The April meeting of the safe de-
post section of the District Bankers
Association will meet in the boardroom
OF the American Security g. Trust Co.
next Tuesday evening. Harry M. Ca
cobs Of the Mosler Safe Co. will be
the guest speaker Thomas j. Groom,
president of the bankers association,
also will speak briefly Mrs. Helen
r. Sharpe, section chairman, will pre-
side
Chauncey G.. Parker. jr. slated to
be the next president of the Washing
ton Bond Club. is a partner in the
stock exchange firm of Auchincloss,