Evening star., 1942-06-07
War>Bond Sales
Up Sharply at
Post Office
May Sales Set New
Record in Capital,
Officials Reveal
BY EDWARD C, STONE.

sales OF war savings bonds and
stamps at the City Post Office and
branches took sharp upturn in
May. establishing a new record in
the number of bonds distributed,
amount of bonds sold, and in the
total value of stamps disposed Of, it
was learned from postal officials last
night.
During May 28,193 War bonds were
sold, against 24,256 in April. a gain
of 1887 bonds and the largest num-
ber put out since the drive started.
The sales started in May a year ago
when 5,029 bonds were sold through
the City Post Office.
May War bond sales totaled se3l,- =
275, at the selling price and not at
maturity. as compared with $685.
937.50 in the previous month, a
jump Of Sl08,337 so and rapidly ap-
preaching the 81 900 900 mark. Sales
in the same month a year ago
amounted to $334,55625.
War Stamp Sales Mount.
War stamp sales through the
Washington Office in MAY reached
the new peak of S694 500 80, against
S650,43 so in April, an upswing of
$44, ,10380. In May a year ago De-
fense stamp sales totaled only $780,
1880, according to postal records.
These sales cover only those made
through postal channels and have
r. Ia u
through banks, building and loan
associations, corporation Offices and
investment houses which are record
ed by the Federal Reserve Bank.
They indicate, however, that Capital
residents are pushing up their pur-
chases rapidly in an effort. to do
their full share in helping hnance
the war and meet the higher month
" quotas set by the Treasury.
Sales so far this month have
shown still more notable gains,
Postmaster Vincent C. Burke said
last night. The 40 per cent plan"
is being very widely adopted, he
added.
VhVtdtiOI
The war has dealt hard blow to
the Local Quotation Committee of
the National Association of Securi-
ties Dealers, which prepares weekly
quotations on about so Washington
issues sold over the counter, Bernard
j. Nees Of Johnston, Lemon & Co.,
chairman, announced yesterday
Three of the five members have en-
tered the service and temporarily
left the financial district.
The members who have resigned
are Thomas A. Anglin, with Mack
all & Coe: Millard F. West, jr.. of
Ferris, Exnicious & Co., and
Charles w. Hume, associated with
Thomas L. Hume & Co.
Their places have been taken by
Austin B. Rof1rbaugh of Robinson,
Rohrbaugh g. Lukens; George F.
Cramer of Waggaman, Brawner &
Co., and the veteran financier,
Thomas L. Hume
The other member is Edgar B,
Rouse of Robert G. Jones & Co. The
new committee already has launched
a survey with view to further ex-
pansion of the present quotation list.
Capital Leads in Permits.
The monthly review of the Fed
eral Reserve Bank of Richmond
states that Washington led this
area in building permits for April
with s4650,2S9, Baltimore was Sec
ond and Norfolk third.
Contracts awarded in the fifth
district in April totaled S9l 1885,, 900,
the fifth highest figure ever reported
in this district for any single month,
and At per cent ahead of April, 1941.
Trade and industrial conditions
turned "Spotty" due to the disrup-
tive effects of the war economy.
War industries are booming. On
the other hand, dealers depending
on goods that have been frozen,
rationed or withdrawn from the
market, are in most difficult cir
cumstances.
Department stores sales totaled
$18,203 ,702, up 13 per cent from
April, l941; furniture sales amounted.
to s1.782 ,624, gain of 81 per cent;
while the business of 1877 wholesale
firms reached $15,853, 900, a gain of
23 per cent.
Washington payrolls were up IT
per cent in numbers from March
and 2.5 per cent in amount. Auto
sales practically stopped, despite
priorities being granted.
Party OF to New Orleans.
Ten members of Washington
Chapter, American Institute of
Banking. left here last night to at
tend the national convention in
New Orleans this week. With them
was the retiring president, John
NJ. Christie, jr, and the incoming
chapter head, George M. Rowzee, jr.
Unless something unexpected hap
pens at the convention, Walton l..
Sanderson of the Hamilton National
Bank will be elected to the national
council. So far he and three other
candidates have no competition for
the four places to be filled. He will
be the first Washington member of
the council since the late T. Hunten
Leith received a similar election.
Other Capital delegates include
I. j. Roberts, j. Earle McGeary,
Elizabeth Rowzee, Kenneth o.
Hultze. Edward M. Blaiklock, Doug
las r. Smith and George B. Earn
shaw.
Financial District Comment.
So far as known. directors Of the
Security Savings e. Commercial
Bank are the first in the country to
vote to put into War bonds their
fees for attending directors meet
ings. If the idea should spread, as
Treasury officials hope it will, 1t
would mean a substantial boost in
bond sales.
Woodward & Lothrop stock sold at
100 on the Washington exchange
during the week. The high for l942
Is 1913 and the low 119. The stock
pays 81 a year.
Plans have been completed for the