Evening star., 1941-12-11
Defense Bond Sales
Climb Sharp|yin
Capital Banks
RooseveIt's Address
Followed by Largest
Volume on Record
By EDWARD c. STONE.

BY EDWARD C. STONE.
Sales of United States Defense
bonds in Washington banks have
taken a tremendous Jump since the
Japanese declared war on this
country. it was learned in the finan-
cial district today.
Sales in the Capitals banks yes
terday were among the heaviest on
record in all classes of Defense
bonds. an unofficial survey revealed.
President Roosevelt's radio ad-
dress the previous evening was given
by bankers as the main reason for
the sudden increase in the bond
demand
Bankers talking with Defense
bond subscribers noted an aroused
desire on the part of buyers to help
the Government in this way. Some
who have been buying the bonds
for several months expressed the
intention of purchasing the bonds
much more rapidly in the future
Tellers at the Defense bond win
dows were greatly surprised by the
sudden enthusiasm and new atti-
tude toward the bonds Inquiry
from building and loan association
officials disclosed that these institu-
tions have also experienced a much
heavier demand for the bonds.
Post Office Sales Reported.
Sales of Defense bonds at the
city post Office remained at high
levels in November, although busi-
ness was not quite up to that OF
October, it was announced today.
November sales totaled 9267
bonds, compared with 9,438 during
October while the value of the bonds
amounted to S347 1875 in Novem-
Der, compared with value of 1884,
S5625 in october.
Defense stamp sales in November
had a total value of 1855, $780, Is, re-
vealing a substantial increase over
the stamp sales in october, having
a value of $320,10l 40.
Sales of both bonds and stamps
include business done at the main
Office and all the branches under
Postmaster Vincent c. Burke.
Commerce Votes $3.50 Extra.
Directors of the Bank of Com
merce and Savings have declared
the usual quarterly dividend of $3.50
per share and an extra dividend of
$3.50 per share. both payable De-
cember 81. to stockholders of record
December 20, according to announce
ment by Thomas J. Groom. president
of the bank. These distributions
will make a total dividend payment
OF $40 per snare for the year of 1941,
the same amount as paid in 1910
At a previous meeting Of the
Board of Directors it was voted that
a bonus equal to one months salary
be paid to the entire operating staff.
In connection with the bonus pay
ment. Mr.. Groom pointed out that
at the recent convention of the
American Bankers Association, Sec
retary of the Treasury Morgenthau
had requested that consideration be
given to making such payments in
Defense bonds. and that many men,
bers of the staff had directed that
a portion of the amount due them
be paid in this form.
The board of trustees of the East
Washington Savings Bank at the
December meeting yesterday de-
clared the usual semiannual divi-
dend of per cent. payable De-
cember 81 to stockholders Of record
December 23. S. Wilson Earnshaw,
secretary and treasurer, announced
today
c. ]. Gockeler to Retire.
c. J. Gockeler. assistant vice preSi-
dent of the Hamilton National
Bank. plans to retire from banking
activities at the end OF December
under the banks retirement plan,
it was announced by President E. c.
Graham following the December
meeting of the directors.
Mr.. Gockeler is one of the best
known bankers in the financial dis
trict. He has been connected with
the Hamilton National ever since it
was established. For several years
Mr.. Gockeler was one of the vice
presidents of the District National
Bank, which was closed at the time
of the bank holiday
For about 20 years he has been
one of the most enthusiastic men,
bers of the Washington Stock Ex-
change and regular attendant at
the daily sessions. He served the
exchange as president for three
years and as secretary for eight
years. His service to the Washing
ton Board of Trade many years ago
was outstanding He joined the
organization in 1907, was chairman
of the Membership Committee, later
being secretary and afterward treas
urer
Treasurer of the Washington
Auditorium Corp, he has been
director of many corporations and
is a member of the National Press
Club.
Today's Trading on Exchange.
Capital Traction IS opened trad
ing on the Washington Stock Ex-
change today with a $500 transfer
at 1882. Riggs National Bank COM
mon came out on a three-share
sale at 258
Capital Transit registered a So
share sale at 1412. unchanged from
Yesterdays close. A very small sale
in Potomac Power 6 per cent pre-
ferred brought lis, while a single
share of the 5l2 per cent preferred
came out at 113.
Washington Gas Light common
recorded a 36-share transaction at
1875, off an eighth, Mergenthaler
Linotype, quoted today without the
$3.50 dividend, carried a bid of 24A,
with 26l2 asked.
War Declarations Discounted.
While intense interest was shown
In Washington brokerage houses to-
day in New York Stock Exchange
quotations, there was no special ex-
oitement over the declaration Of war
on this country by Germany and
Italy. Such action had already been
discounted. brokers said.
Brokerage staffs here are being
taxed to the limit to keep up with
the great increase in the volume Of
business. Wall Street offices are
having far greater difficulties, re-