Evening star., 1943-02-17
Many Stocks Reach
New High Levels
On D. {. Exchange
Every Bond in List
Now Far Above Par
In Strong Market
BY EDWARD c. STONE.

Many stocks listed on the Wash
ington Stock Exchange are now at
the highest price level in two years
and are keeping pace with the pres
ent situation on the New York Ex-
change, survey discloses.
Capital Transit, the most active
issue in the list, now selling at 80, is
at the highest point in many years:
Washington Gas common at 172,
is at the l943 high mark and stands
second in volume of turnover this
year; while Mergenthaler, third in
trading volume, recently crossed 40
for the first time in several years.
The Washington Gas preferred
issues and the Potomac Electric
Power preferreds are also strong.
with prices at this years tops as
we'll as for a longer period. Bank
stocks have been quiet, Riggs Ma
tional common being the most
active.
The bond list is also displaying
strength. Every issue on the ex-
change is quoted far above par.
Sales have been light recently as
holders are unwilling to part with
senior securities at any price. Cap
ital Traction SIS have been the most
active with recent sales at 1855.
Washington Gas SIS are the high
est priced bonds in the list, the bid
standing at 1861. Georgetown Gas
IS are now quoted at lis bid, with
none offered, while Potomac Electric
Power 3l4s stand third, being quoted
at 11012 bid, the survey shows.
Identification Rules Fixed.
Washington banks have settled on
general rules of identification in
connection with the new check
caShing regulations agreed on with
the Treasury.
Government checks are now being
cashed IN any bank in the city, even
If the holders have no accounts in
the banks. All that is required is
proper identification.
A high percentage of Government
workers now have pictures which
they use in getting to their Offices.
These contain their signatures and
are accepted by the banks as ample
Identification.
Automobile registration cards. as
well as automobile drivers permits,
social security cards and selective
service cards, all four carving
signatures, are also being accepted
without question.
Government workers are pleased
with the new arrangement. Because
of losses through cashing stolen
checks, for several years the banks
have required that every person pre-
senting check be known to the
tellers or officials.
The fact that half million Gov
ernment checks are cashed every
month shows the Importance of the
new arrangement. Every Govern
ment worker gets two checks a
month unless paid in cash at his
Office.
New Rail Official Named.
Edward M. Thomas, controller of
the Chesapeake & Ohio, Nickel
Plate and Pere Marquette railroads,
was elected vice president OF the
three lines at the meetings of the
respective boards of directors held
in Cleveland yesterday.
Mr.. Thomas was born in Rich
mond, Va, May 81, 1879.
Gas Stocks at New Peaks.
One hundred shares of Washing
ton Gas Light common stock sold at
l8 on the Washington Stock Ex-
change today, new 1943 peak.
Washington Gas Light $3.50 pre-
ferred stock changed hands at 93k,
also the highest price at which this
stock has sold this year.
Potomac Power preferred stocks,
Washington Railway common and
preferred and Lanston Monotype
are being quoted ex-dividend.