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Show Army of Stockholders Growing i . . By Ira C. Tichenor ; ONE of the most interesting movements now in progress, and one that is certain to have a most important bearing upon the general business affairs of the country and upon the economic situation generally, is that of the general public toward stock ownership In various kinds of corporation. In fact, the movement has become so pronounced that It Is declared the United States Is rapidly becoming a nation of stockholder, which means that citizens generally are becoming "partners" of American business institutions. Figures supplied by about half a hundred of the leadin corporations, representing practically every line of endeavor, show that the Increase In the number of Individual stockholders during the past two years has been 1 most remarkable. J On January 1, 191, these fifty corporations had on their books as 3 .tockholders the names of 643.362 Individuals. Py January 1. 1920, the K number had increased to 7i:.9:, or a gain of U per cent, while on January J 1 or thia year the official figures of the same companies showed a total of J MS.1.3. an Increase over the preceding year of 22 per cent, or double the gain of the year before. "4 The fact that there was such an increase last year, during which there '. was a great depreciation In the market value of many of the stocks, shows j that the general public Is breaking the time honored rule of buying stocks at the top pries and selling at the low points. , The movement means, too. that citizens generally are becoming more interested in the business affairs of the country, and also that they have the money with which to make Investments. It will also mean, when the country as a whole recovers Its economic feet, there will be a more stable market for the various Insure and that It wile be less affected by the operatlona of professional traders. |