Evening star., 1941-11-14
Capital Store Sales
Soar "a Per Cent
Above Year Ago
RetoiI Volumes Rise
8 Per Cent Ahead
Of Previous Weeks
Ry EDWARD c. STONE.

By EDN AfD L. STONE.
Reports that Christmas trade in
Washington is already getting away
to a fine start appear to be sup
ported by the latest weekly de-
partment stores sales figures from
the Richmond Federal Reserve
Bank received here today.
Department store sales in the
Capital for the week ended last Sat
urday scared "a per cent above the
mark reached for the week ended
November 9, 1910. This was far
ahead of the gain of "a per cent
in the fifth district. l3 per cent
in Baltimore and 90 per cent in a
group of other cities.
Compared with sales for the week
ended on November l, this year
Washington also made the best
showing in this territory. Sales last
week were per cent better than
In the previous week but in the fifth
district were down. IS per cent. in
Baltimore "a per cent. and in other
cities we're off per cent.
For the four weeks ended No
eember 8 Washington led in trade
gains over last year, registering a
jump of 19 per cent Trade was up
10 per cent in the fifth district. IL
per cent in Baltimore and the same
amount in the other reporting cities,
the review concludes.
Board Delays Drug Dividend.
The Board Of Directors of Peoples
Drug Stores. Inc. at a meeting yes
terday decided 10 take up at a later
meeting the question of dividend
for the current period. it was an
nounced at the head office of the big
chain here today.
Ofhcials of the company had no
comment TO make in connection
with the announcement However
similar action has been taken by the
directors al this time in other years,
It was pointed out.
Last YEAR the usual last quarter
dividend was declared and an extra
declared In the first three quarters
Of this year. the usual 25-cent dlVl-
dendS we're paid
In the financial district the opin-
ion was expressed by investment
dealers that year-end dividend is
assured, the mount probably de-
pending on the final earnings re-
ports for the year.
Peoples Drug Stores common sold
off on the New York Stock Exchange
At the opening today. II is listed on
the Washington Stock Exchange.
Reserve Bank Raises Pay.
More than 700 employees Of the
Federal Reserve Bank OF Richmond
and its branches have been granted
temporary wage increases. II was
disclosed today.
An Associated Press dispatch from
Richmond. received this afternoon
said that the banks board Of dlrec-
tors met in mid-October and au-
thorized the payment until further
notice Of a supplemental compen-
sation based upon 6 per cent OF the
first $1,000 of an employees salary
The rule does not apply TO those
earning more than $4,000 per annum
The directors said the rate at
which payment would be made
might be changed from month to
month and eventually might be dis
continued altogether The first pay
nent was made retroactive to apply
10 September salaries,
Real Estate Bonds Advance.
Mavflower Hotel Corp. first SIS,
1850. with stock. gained A. points
in October and stood fourth among
300 issues in the list used BY Amott,
Baker & Co. in the months price
averages. These bonds are now
quoted in Washington at 1884, bid;
offered at l4l.
National Press Building fist 3-5s,
1850. selling at 94. moved up 2i2
points during the month. while Ma
tional Press Building adjustment in
come AS. selling at 36 gained two
full points. Washington Properties
general income Is also did well in
october. Selling at "A, the bonds
gained 2l2 points.
The 200 issues averaged a gain OF
! per cent in October, moving high
er for the 18th consecutive month,
the review says They moved from
an average price of 1913 10 s3l6 per
ST. 900 bond. Hotel issues rose the
most during the month, with apart
ment issues second.
SO far this year the 200 bonds re-
feet an average gain of i2'2 per
cent. Hotel issues are up I6.8 per
cent, apartment bonds, I46 per
cent, and Office buildings, IA per
cent
Gas Issues in Lively Demand.
Washington Gas Light issues were
In lively demand on the Washing
ton Stock Exchange today Gas
common opened with 20 shares SELL
ing at l8 followed by 53 more chang
ing hands at 49,.
After call. three 100-share sales
were registered at 49,. and five
shares moved at l3. The days
turnover was 378 shares, the biggest
udN III Illdl4N IilOlILIlc. i4V otoNh W o'o
off fractionally from yesterday.
Washington Gas preferred opened
with 20 shares selling at l04 and
closed with tiny sale of two shares
at 1037s Twenty shares of Capital
Transit sold at Is. unchanged. Peo-
pies Drug common was quoted at %
bid and none offered.
Defense Bond Sales Rise.
-Four associate members OF the
District Bankers Association today
reported on their sales Of National
Defense bonds. The Arlington Trust
Co, up to october 15, had sold
s28. 400 in series E bonds to ia in
dividuals and sl4,l00 series F bonds
to three people.
Bank of Bethesda. S58.530 z bonds
10 1859 individuals, Sl4, 100 series F
TO two and $4,000 series G to two
Prince Georges Bank & Trust Co.
sa5.s50 E bonds to 4l2 buyers, $500
series r TO one person. 5000 series G
to two. Suburban National. Sl23 10f
series E to 480 purchasers. $4,000 F
bonds to one. $4,000 series G to three
The four banks sold a total Of
1908 $50 r bonds to LIS individuals