twenty-seven were railroads. As of the same date, there were
listed the shares of three hundred and thirteen corporations, rep-
resenting fifty-five mining enterprises (largely copper), twenty-
four railroads, sixty manufacturing plants, and one hundred and
seventy-two miscellaneous enterprises including, in the last
group, public utilities, holding companies, and investment cor-
porations.

In all of these issues there is a present material local owner-
ship. Further, it is interesting to note that of the three hundred
and thirteen corporations, ninety-six are essentially New Eng-
land in property, ownership, and management, and twenty-nine
others, now of national interest and importance, had their ori-
gin and direction from Boston efforts and capital, and local
ownership and influence are still great in their affairs.

STOCK EXCHANGE CLEARING HOUSE

ON January 18, 1892, a Stock Exchange Clearing House was
organized, the second of its kind in this country. The purpose
of it was to reduce the money requirements for the daily settle-
ments and to minimize the risks of securities delivered between
offices. Later, a Comparison Department was added so that
comparison tickets might be delivered and exchanged at a
common point.

The Exchange Clearing House employs twenty persons, as
against four when it was started.

The first day’s business may be of interest as indicative of
changes in the Street. Forty-three firms were represented in the
Clearing of that day, and the actual number of shares involved
was 17,300, with a value of $1,688,550.

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