STUDIES IN SECURITIES Earned Increase per Share in Reserves Total 1022.5 coun 35.60 $4.40 $10.00 BLE 220 2.00 4.30 {920%. ..-..... 6.30 unavailable 6.30 *Equivalents also of $2.10 per share in 1921 and $5 in 1920 were charged off for inventory and security losses. Figures for 1920 are of the five companies consolidating December 31. In aggregate Allied Chemical in six years earned gross income after depreciation and renewals of $134,667,000, of which $14,045,- 000 was paid in federal taxes, $4,714,000 was charged off in 1921 for inventory and security losses, $69,545,000 was paid in preferred and common dividends, and $35,545,000 was carried to surplus. During this period as indicated above there was a net increase in reserves (exclusive of tax reserve) of $41,971,000. The six year net increases in surplus and reserves total $77,515.000 or $35.50 a share on the common stock. The capitalization of Allied Chemical consists of $39,284,900 79% preferred stock (a substantial part of which may be among the $80,835,000 marketable securities in the treasury) and 2,178,109 shares of common stock, no par value. The reserves of this com- pany are equivalent to $53 a share on the common. Excluding reserves entirely and $21,306,000 goodwill, the book value of the common stock figures $69.50 a share. Let us examine the integrity of this $69.50 a share book value. The $144,029,000 current assets provide for the entire outside lia- bilities of $13,557,000, par for the $39,284,900 preferred stock (re- tirable price 120) and leave $91,187,000 for the common stock or $42 a share toward the $69.50 book value above given. Assuming the fairness of $7,211,000 ‘‘investments’’ and ‘‘deferred assets,’’ this leaves the plant account for discussion as the remaining tangible asset. Allied Chemical’s plant account is just as interesting as its cur- rent asset position. The plant item is carried at $165,130,000 among the assets; and the credit reserve against plant is $93,606,- 000 (of the total reserves of $115,661,000). The net value of the property item is therefore $71,524,000. We find that from 1920 the gross value of plants increased $23,- 759,000. At the time of the merger in 1919-20 the net value of the plants was given as $93,261,000 and it was officially stated that ‘““this amount represents original cost, less depreciation, and not replacement values. About half consists of construction and acqui- sitions made before 1915.” We know that valuations of assets on subsidiaries’ books were in no case increased in consolidation, and half of the net value of the plant was based on costs in 1914 and [111