BROKER'S COMMISSION
6. The percentage or commission due to the broker is included in the amount deposited to protect the deal, which is called a margin. If there should be a decline in price of either stock or grain, sufficient to cause the broker to feel insecure, he always reserves the right to call upon the customer for an additional deposit, even though the time of delivery has not yet arrived. In case the customer fails to make such additional deposit, the broker can sell the securities, grain, or other purchase, at once, in order to protect himself; the amount primarily deposited by the customer is thereby forfeited.
All orders for the purchase and sale of any article are received and executed with the distinct understanding that actual delivery is contemplated and that the party giving the order so understands and agrees.
SECURITIES
7. It is understood and agreed between the broker and his client, that all securities carried in his account, or deposited to secure the same, may be carried in the broker's general loans, and may be bought or sold at public or private sale without notice, when such sale or purchase is deemed necessary by the broker for his protection.
It is also understood and agreed that the right is reserved by the broker to close transactions on all accounts without notice, when protection is exhausted, or when, in his judgment, it is near enough exhausted as to endanger the account, and the broker reserves the right to settle contracts with his client, in accordance with the rules and customs of the exchange where the order is executed.
BUCKET SHOPS
8. The class of brokerage concerns termed bucket shops are those which do not actually carry out the orders of their customers, who neither buy nor sell anything, but who expect quick deals, frequent changes and, speaking plainly, merely gamble with their clients, allowing them to take whichever side they prefer. The large margin which this fraternity receives is a commission on deals whether they win or lose.
In order to maintain at least a pretense of legality, there must be an actual transfer of all stocks and commodities speculated in. The broker must acquire nominal possession of something which represents stocks, grain, cotton, or other commodities. To do this he must borrow money from the bank, or borrow stock or warehouse receipts from those who have them to lend. In either instance he charges interest to his speculative customers.
It is estimated that the brokers in New York City who are members of the various exchanges, have an average amount in call loans outstanding of about $600,000,000.00, all of which vast sum is used to finance the orders of the brokers' customers. In dull times the minimum falls as low as $350,000,000.00, but there have been periods of speculative activity when $1,100,000,000.00 have been thus employed. The interest rate charged brokers constantly varies, but those who have had dealings with them state that their accounts rarely show less than five per cent interest. The broker charges the customer six per cent, thus averaging one per cent profit upon all money borrowed.