Evening star., 1943-03-02

area of the system. The volume OF
sales increased 16 per cent over 1941,
due to the growth of Washington
and to slightly colder weather. The
rise in expenses was not so sharp as
in the previous year.
The 1912 operations required 81 900
tons of steam coal, nearly three times
as much as in the previous year, due
to the conversion Of boilers formerly
fired by Ill to permit use Of coal.
Taxes uired 81 500 1856, against
81 1.240,111 year ago.
Company officials believe the cost
of gas in Washington is the lowest
of any city on the Eastern Seaboard.
During the year 275 employees entered
military service and 81 per cent Of
the employees are now buying War
Savings bonds through the pay roll
allotment plan; In many cases in
excess of 10 per cent of salaries.
The report covers in detail the
present gas rate controversy and the
sliding scale plan.
Western Maryland Net Jumps.
| Net income of the Western Mary
land Railway in January totaled
s520847 in comparison with the
much lower figure of $251 ,444 in
January, 1912.
Net income of the Washington
Railway & Electric Co. in 1912 was
equal to $39.02 share on the 65 900
shares of common stock. against
$44.77 common share in 1941.
Department store trade in this
5th reserve district from January
through February 20 was Is per cent
ahead of the like period year ago,
Dallas reported the largest gain
among the II reserve districts, a
per cent.
Leases of safe deposit boxes re-
turned to the Federal Government
$485 400 for January, the Bureau Of
Internal Revenue reported. This Is
an increase of Sill ,846 over January.
1912.
Riggs Bank Retires Preferred.
The Riggs National Bank yester.
day retired s150,000, or 1,500 shares
OF the outstanding preferred stock,
following action taken by the direc.
tors at the meeting on January IL.
North American stockholders here
are deeply interested in the ruling OF
the Supreme Court yesterday grant.
ing a review by the court of a lower
court decision in favor of the Securi-
ties and Exchange Commission in q
suit involving the validity of the
death sentence" features of the
Utility Holding Company Act.
Barnum L. Cotton, vice president
OF the National Savings & Trust Co,
is city division chairman Of the 1874;
Red Cross War Fund campaign now
getting under way. "A. G. Neal
president of the Potomac Electric
Power Co.. is general chairman and
Charles H. Doing, vice president oi
the Washington Loan & Trust Co.
treasurer
Equitable Reports Gains.
Henry P. Blair, president of the
Equitable Life Insurance Co. oi
Washington, D. c., reports that the
amount of ordinary business written
during 1912 totaled $7,63O,855, ot
which 81 ,426,452 was written in the
District.
The amount of industrial business
written totaled $21 983, ,43O, of which
$2,287 ,543 was written in the Dis.
trict. The company had total in.
come during the year of $6,029,834
while the years disbursements to-
tailed 1882 $50. Assets at the end
OF the year totaled $19,S89, 1894.
Washington Gas IS Climb.
Washington Gas IS, 1860, sold al
129 on the Washington Stock Ex.
change today, on a $1,000 turnover,
a new 1943 high and jump Of III
points since the last previous sale,
Gas SIS are by far the highest priced
bonds on the exchange.
Mergenthaler Linotype was strong
again today, 30 shares changing
hands at Al, unchanged from yes
terday's 50-share sale.
National Bank of cWashinetou
stock came out for the first time
this year, 10 shares moving at 10o1a.
up an eighth.