The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-03-17
BEHIND The
TICKER

NEW YORK - Informed Wash
ington advices to high industrial
executives are that despite Secre-
tary Hopkins promise to play
along with business, the depart
ment of justice will use every pos
sible means to win victory In its
damage suit against Is tire manu-
facturers on charges of price fixing
under Sec. Z of the Sherman anti
trust act.
The confidential advices are that
II Thurman Arnold, In charge Of
the d Of Us antitrust division,
comes out on top, he will start
any number of similar actions
against any number of corporations
in numerous industries because of
identical bids offered on various
government contracts calling for
such items as steel, oil, cement,
etc.
Few legal minds care to admit
that the government hasn't good
case in the tire matter. The hope
Ia that the facts and evidence will
fall short of the goal. But as mat
tiers stand. corporate executives
are worried over the threat of anti
trust price fixing charges.
Observation-Disclosures informa-
ton Is that the 1897 extensive pur-
chases Of new equipment are show
ing results. The new locomotives,
especially. are more economical to
operate. Because of this data, large
orders for hauling engines are ex-
pected to be placed for late 1889
deliveries. It's on this inside knowl-
edge that portfolio managers like
the rail equipment equities.
Auto Sales-A leading name of
the automobile industry exclusive
ly informs your correspondent that
he isn't disturbed by the enlarged
stocks reported by retailers. He
says his production schedules are
going ahead at higher figures than
last year just the same.
II was said that an spring comes
along. consumer demand for new
and used cars will increase. In
order to save money In overtime
costs due to the wage-hour law, all
automobile producers are keeping
up their high rate of output.
GM Estimate-From a most reli-
able source II was learned that
General Motors insiders expect the
company to show a net Of about 81
a share for the current three
month period. And II sales run as
anticipated. second quarter net will
show about 81 a share.
The same source believes that
even II GIN only breaks even for
the third quarter. 1t will show about
81 a share for the fourth quarter
period. All combined. then, the
estimate is that General Motors
will show at least 81 a share for
ls39-barring a European war.
Reports Are That: Bucyrus- Erie
booked Naxi $500, 900 order fol
steel mill machinery Eastern
Airiines has long pull following
-. At current price levels National
Lead discounts building prospect.
Of this year L. c. Smith a
Corona Typewriter plants operat.
ing at capacity--with large back.
log OF orders Scale down spec.
ulative buying coming into Asso.
ciated Dry Goods and Arnold Con.
stable--on hopes of better trade
due to Worlds fair
For more attractive apprecia.
tion potentialities Walworth beins
switched into smaller lots of War.
rem Foundry National Biscui,
will cover its quarterly DIVIDEND
OF 40 cents--with some to spare
=. At current price levels Stand.
ard Oil of Kansas discounts earn.
ings prospects -.
Blaw-knox management expect,
big things Of its new research de.
partmcnt :. For greater specula.
tive appeal Superior Steel bcins
switched into Zenith Radio
Portfolio managers expect r, n
Macy to show marked sales i'm.
provemcnt due to Worlds fail
business And, that long-pul
interests like electrical equipment.
sales prospects bright.