Evening star., 1939-12-27
d. Bank Deposits
AtAn-Time Peak,
Survey Indicates
Bankers Expecting
Usual Call From
Controller Shortly
By EDWARD C. STONE.

proaches and another call for the
condition of all banks in the city
and all national banks in the United
States is expected.
The Controller of the Currency
never announces any call date in
advance, but in the past call has
always been made around the end
of the year in order in complete
calendar year reports. Bankers
anticipate similar action this year.
The last bank call issued by Con-
troller Delano was dated october
10. At that time deposits in Wash
ington banks totaled $354,s55, ,7l077.
This was the highest mark reached
in Washington's history. The figures
showed a sweeping gain in the three
months following the end OF June.
Bankers said today that deposits are
now higher than they were in Oc-
tober. Unless there should be more
than ordinary Withdrawals in the
next few days they will remain so,
bank officials said.
While officials are hard put to find
ways to put so much money to work
profitably they are obviously pleased
that deposits are running at such
high figures.
Big Travel Year Forecast.
Pointing out that travel volume is
becoming increasingly recognized as
one of the most important basic in
dices of general economic conditions,
the Keystone Automobile Club as
serts in a year-end statement that
the record established during the
past six months provides substantial
evidence for the belief that 1910 Will
be a year of continued and increased
activity.
Even before the European war
began" the keystone Club declares,
"the volume of motor and other
travel showed decided increase.
This increase took place in travel
throughout the United States and
also to Mexico, Central America
and South America.
LAS the second half of the year
wore on, the curve continued to rise
and. compared with both last year
and previous years, it was still rising
as this statement was prepared.
Furthermore, there was no lndl-
cation that 1940-or at least the first
half of the year-would witness any
reversal in the trend. Rather the
outlook is for still further increases
as the forward movement of busi-
ness is continued Naturally. con-
tinuance of the war will stimulate
travel in the United States and the
Americas as whole.
However, it is erroneous to as
sumo that a cessation of hostllltles
would bring a sharp reduction in
domestic travel. It has been found
by long experience that the basic
factor influencing travel volume in
this country is the state OF business;
and the most important increase in
travel during 1899 took place before
the war began but after business and
industrial betterment became en-
phatically noticeable
Controllers Hear RitenOur.
o. H. Ritenour, assistant treasurer
of the Washington Gas Light Co.,
addressed the December meeting OF
the District of Columbia Control of
the Controllers Institute of America,
at its monthly meeting last night,
held at the Carlton Hotel. His topic
was Public Utility Accounting"
Mr.. Ritenour is known through
out the industry for his contribu-
tions in connection with utility &C
counting, and his talk covered the
field of punch-card procedure as
applied to the general and property
record accounting.
The meeting was preceded by a
dinner held at $50 pm, at which
Humphrey Lloyd of Washington
Properties, Inc, president OF the
local control presided.
Permit Valuations Gain.
The Labor Department reports
that total permit valuations for all
types of construction in November
were II per cent higher than during
November last year. Permits for
residential buildings were up IA per
cent in value over October and As
per cent above last November.
Value of non-residential buildings
dropped II per cent in November
from the October figure, and showed
a decrease of IA per cent from No
vomber last year. Indicated ex-
penditures for additions. altera-
tions and repairs during November
were 20 per cent lower than in Oc-
tober, but were practically the same
as last November.
Statistics from 2,O22 cities in the
United States showed that during
the first II months of 1889 permits
were issued for buildings valued at
$1,922,63 900, an increase of % per
cent over the corresponding period
last year. The value of new resi-
dental buildings showed gain of
80 per cent for the period, and value
of new non-residential buildings in
creased II per cent.
Pennsy's Earrings Higher.
Net earnings of the Pennsylvania
Railroad in November were reported
today as $9.333,323, an increase OF
$2,642, ,472. In freight alone there
was an increase of more than S10,-
100000 in revenues. For the first
II months of the year net earnings
totaled 67,707,42l. an upturn Of
$16,825 ,695 over last year. Freight
revenues were up more than $751;
100000 and passenger income over
$5000,00O.
The New York Stock Exchange
plans further consideration of add
ing extra charges for extra services.
as recommended by a committee
Many Washington brokers are
strongly opposed to making any
extra charges at this time.
Mergenthaler Moves at 1512.
Mergenthaler Linotype was up to
1872 on the Washington Stock Ex-
change again today. The stock
opened with 100 shares selling at