Rails Continue Advance
NEW YORK, Dec. 24 (AP)ÛÓWall Street received a surprise Christmas gift todays the biggest stock market rise in two weeks and another record high in the Associated Press average.</br></br>The rise was a surprise because brokers anticipated considerable selling. This was the first day on which profits could be taken for entry into 1959 tax returns. A four-day market holiday begins Thursday since the Exchange will be closed Friday. Such a long vacation usually breeds precautionary selling.</br></br>The market was generally lower at the start but began to firm almost immediately. This frightened short-sellers who hoped to make a profit in a declining market and they covered rapidly, market analysts said. The rising prices brought in more buyers and increasing confidence put the final level at the best of the session.</br></br>Rails resumed their rally of yesterday, marching forward with industrials on a broad front. Utilities, spearheaded by American TelephoneÛªs 3-point rise, also rose on average.</br></br>Solid gains were made by steels, motors, ! aircrafts, nonferrous metals, chemicals, oils, . electrical equipments, tobaccos, electronics, j drugs, rubbers and farm implements.