Life — March 22, 1928 — page 14: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

And They Call It ‘The Silent Drama”! The Broker Speaks Professionally “NTO, I don’t think there's the slightest cause for uncasiness on things right now, old man. I’m sitting pretty close to the old tape, and I'd catch the first tremors of any serious break. What's on your mind, any particular stock? “Oh, that one...well, I'd say, ‘Hold it, by all means.’ I hear ru- mors that a big pool is being assem- bled to give it a boost, and—oh, you do, ch? Hmm, I see. Well, here’s how I feel about the thing: of course the final decision is up to you, and if you think this is the time to let go, I'd say, ‘Let go, and the sooner the bet- ter.’ To be frank, I’m just a little bit anxious about the way this market looks right now. Eh? Well, I don’t think we'd go far wrong to sell to- day, at that. It’s the boys who hang on too long that get their fingers burnt, every time...all right, I'll make a note of that...sold at 155. “That Texas Can? Well, how do you feel about it, yourself? Ummm .--I get you. I've studied that dog- gone stock over a period of two years now, and I'm inclined to think you've sized it up about as near as any one could. It might—and then again, it mightn’t! It’s a toss-up, and I'd say hold it, if that’s the way you feel, old man. “Suggestion? You bet I have! I'd advise you—if it was my last statement on earth—to step out and ya flock of Illinois Smelters, Pfd. That stock is going to reach two hun- ” “What are you breaking that ice for?” “To have cocktails. “And what are you having cocktails for?” “To break the ice.” dred so fast it'll make your head spin, my boy. Take it from me—I know. What?...Well, I don't know, exactly, of course. If I did, I'd have an electric icebox and a right-hand- drive car, now, wouldn't 1? Ha-ha- ha—you said it, old man! But seri- ly, if you think Green River Com- mon is better—and it’s a whaling good buy, any day in the week—I'd say, ‘Let's go to it!’ It’s a gamble, this whole game, you kno “You're looking for advice on the general tone of the market, are you? Well, sir, I'll give it to you, straight. You needn't pass this around, but I —don’t—like—it. spotty, as you mentioned a few minutes ago I'm sort of on the fence, to speak frankly. I'm afraid that some one’s getting’ ready to pull the plug— that’s about the size of it, see? And I'd say, ‘Lay off until the shakedown comes,’ if you'd ask me. I don’t like the looks of things, at all. But all I can do, of course, is to advise you, old man.” Stanley Jones. comicbooks.com