Evening star., 1939-04-25

February ------- 1,354336 1912 ,492
March -- 1,215,793 1,156 ,638
Total ----- 3,931,912 3,61S, 1862
This is a gain of 3O3, $50 M Gu. it.
In the three months and gives the
gas company an excellent start to-
ward reaching another new sales
volume mark this year.
Insurance Sales, S5,24O,000.
Washington agents sold $5,240,0 900
in new life insurance in March, ac-
cording to the latest report from
Hartford which stated that sales
were practically the same as year
ago. Sales in the Capital in the
first quarter totaled 17,051 900 and
were II per cent better than last
year, details from the report dis
close.
Washington sales in March from
q percentage standpoint were ahead
of Boston, the same as Philadelphia
and Chicago. but were below Cleve-
land, Detroit, Los Angeles. New
York and St. Louis, although the
latter cities were only per cent
ahead of March, 1888. The March
national average showed 2 per cent
gain and the first quarter a 10 per
cent pickup, sales for the country at
large aggregating Sl,S37 $4,000.
Virginia made better showing
than Washington in Marcia. sales
amounting to s7.505 5000, gain of 5
per cent over last year. Sales in
the first quarter totaled S24 ,22l 900,
up II per cent.
Maryland wrote S6.07o 900 in
March off per cent, and s25, ,489 900
In the first quarter, an increase Of
10 per cent. West Virginia regis
tered a II per cent drop in March
but a per cent gain for the three
months, the Hartford report states.
Commission Vacancy Filled.
Appointment of Leon Henderson
as a member of the Securities and
Exchange Commission came as no
surprise to the leading brokers in
the financial district. 1t had been
predicted for some time.
Brokers here today expressed the
wish that some one had been named
who had been directly identified
with the securities business so that
he might bring broad experience to
the commission. They noted, how
ever, that James M. Lands, now
dean of the Harvard Law School,
had never been in the securities
business when he was named to the
commission.
Brokers are becoming accustomed
to a surprising turnover among the
Securities Exchange commissioners.
Chairman Kennedy went to the
Court of St. James. Chairman Lam
dis back to the Harvard Law School
and Chairman Douglas to the United
States Supreme Court.
Brokers are more interested in the
selection of new chairman than in
any new member. as they are in
much closer contact with the chair
man. But they point out that no
body knows how soon member will
become chairman. That makes every
appointment important.
Towson Talks to Students.
Norman E. Towson, assistant
treasurer, Washington Loan & Trust
Co.. gave a talk yesterday afternoon
at the Wilson Teachers College His
appearance before this group was in
connection with the program of the
Public Education Committee of
Washington Chapter, American In
stitute of Banking the purpose of
which is to discuss the functions and
activities of banks before the various
educational institutions of Washing
ton. Mr.. Towsons subject was The
Story of Money and Credit"
Miss Josephine M. Woods of the
Washington Office of the New York
Life Insurance Co. led the entire
district of New Jersey, Western
Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware,
part of Virginia and Washington in
the number of new paid insurance
applications in March. Three other
Washington agents were among the
first 10 in the March list and one
other. c. H. Reisinger. was fourth in
the list of Is agents writing the
largest policies during the same
month.
Bankers Invite Dinner Guests.
President Hilleary G. Hoskinson
of the District Bankers Association
has sent out invitations to Govern
ment officials and others to the as
sociation's pre-convention dinner
which will be held at the Columbia
Country Club on Thursday evening,
May 18. This dinner usually draws
more than 200 bankers and their
guests. The attendance this year is
again expected to tax the capacity
of the country clubs seating ar
rangements. Many bankers will play
golf in the afternoon, prizes to be
awarded at the dinner.
Financial District Comment.
j. Haden Alldredge of Alabama,
who has just been nominated for
interstate commerce commissioner,
has been identified with transporta-
3 ton work for 80 years, is 81 years
old, and for the past II years has
been on the Alabama Public Service
Commission. William L. Lee was
reappointed to the commission.
Leon Henderson, newly appointed
member of the Securities and Ex-
change Commission, is said to be
especially interested in efforts to
revitalize the flow of investment
funds into industry. He has given
this difficult problem a great deal
of thought.
Tom K. Smith, former president
Of the American Bankers Associa-
ton and former official of the
Treasury. is among the bankers at
tending the Executive Council meet
ing of the A. B. A. at Hot Springs,
Va.
Transit Hits Another Peak.
Capital Transit stock hit another
1899 peak on the Washington ex-
change today when it sold at 14l4,
up an eighth. Most of today's sales
were made at 141s, the price at which
the closing sale was registered.