Evening star., 1939-04-23
Postmaster Influence
And Rains CurtaiI
Store Sales Here
Volumes 1873 Per Cent
Under 1888, OFF 9.33
From Lost Week
By EDWARD C. STONE.

BY EDWARD C. STONE.
Heavy rains and postmaster let
down caused retail sales in WASH
ington stores for the week ended
Wednesday to show a decrease from
the same week year ago and the
previous week this year, the Com
merce Department reported yester-
day in a review of business In SO
cities. Both building permits and
bank clearings were well ahead of
last year.
Compared with a year ago, retail
sales decreased 1873 per cent, the
report stated, while check-up with
the previous week this year re-
vealed q drop OF 9.33 per cent. Pre-
Easter trade, however. made q IA
vorable comparison with the volume
Of year ago, the lull of the past
few days being expected here and
all over the country.
Bank clearings in the Capital to-
tailed $25 5,581,0 against $22,087 ,6O1
In the corresponding week in 1898.
Building permits for the week to-
tailed s496,200, including a garage
and Office building for $257, 900,
compared with $297 800 a year ago.
The Capital Transit Co. reported
another gain in weekly passenger
revenues, $232,818 comparing with
1925. .795 a year ago. While the
Smithsonian Institution swarmed
with visitors, the total of &c. ,252 was
under the previous week and the
like period In 1888, the Commerce
report said.
Transit Stock Again Higher.
Capital Transit Stock continued
It's sensational move on the Wash
ington Stock Exchange again yes
terday and reached 13. It closed
Friday at l2st.
The opening sale was so shares,
the next 10 and the closing trans
action IS shares, making the days
turnover IS shares. Yesterdays
activity followed the 1,O0O-share sale
recorded on Friday, together with
several other smaller transfers.
Capital Transit stock sold at one
time this year at 7. In reaching 13
it has nearly doubled on the present
advance. a gain of nearly 100 per
cent. The market closed yesterday
with 1914 bid and IA asked.
Members of the exchange say that
the revived interest In the stock Is
due to an increase in earnings and
to generally better prospects. The
number of revenue passengers car
ried on the company's cars and
buses has recently shown a notable
upward trend.
Potomac Electric Power per cent
preferred stock figured in 30-share
sale yesterday at the strong price Of
lis.
$12,000,O 900 Building Gain.
II. A. Johns. manager of the
Washington Office of the F.. w.
Dodge Corp. reported yesterday that
In the first three months Of this year
the value of contracts for copstruc-
ton work and materials awalAed in
the Washington metropolitan area
showed gain Of more than $12,-
0O0,0 900 over the first quarter in 1898.
Residential work was the most
active.
Building and engineering con-
tracts awarded during the January
through March period had a total
valuation of $24, ,701, 900, or $l2,779,-
600 above the total for the same
months In 1898.
Labor and materials for residen-
tial building reached $16,891 900
during the first quarter, compared
with $7913,00O a year ago.
Non-residential contracts built up
q total of 6,792 900 during the three
month period. far ahead of the 1898
figure Of s3,3o2 900, the report stated.
Women's Committee Named.
Mrs. Hilleary G. Hoskinson. wife
Of the president of the District
Bankers Association. has been ap-
pointed chairman of the Women's
Committee to arrange the social ac-
tivities for the organizations 1899
convention at Hot Springs, Va, June
8-1l, 1t was announced yesterday.
Mrs. Ord Preston, wife of the first
vice president of the association, will
0OAVO ~ vANC NlluA11 Va Vic WILL
mittee. The other members include
Mrs. Willard G. Barker, Mrs. r. V
Fleming, Mrs. A. s. Galley, Mrs.
Thomas ]. Groom, Mrs. T. Stanley
Holland, Mrs. r. H. Lacey, Mrs.
A. M. McLachlen, Mrs. A. Scott
Offutt. Mrs. John A. Reilly and Mrs.
William B. Willard.
Little to Lead Session.
The April meeting of the District
Of Columbia Control of the Con-
trollers Institute of America will be
held at the Carlton Hotel on Tues
day and will include a discussion of
the proposed amendments to the
District Unemployment and Federal
Social Security Acts.
w. r. Little of The Evening Star
Newspaper Co., president of the local
control, will preside and lead the
discussion at the meeting which
commences with dinner at $3.50 pm.
Financial District Comment.
The Senate Banking and Currency
Committee has approved the bill to
extend the Federal Housing Admin
istration powers for two years and
enlarge its authority to insure mort
cages to a total of 100000, an
increase Of 100000 from exist
ing authority.
Building and loan associations in
the United States made II per cent
moro loans in February this year
than q year ago, according to in
formation received by the District
Building and Loan League.
Norfolk made the best trade rec
ord last week of any city in the
Fifth Reserve District, due to the
visit OF the United States Fleet.
Business was as good as during the