davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-02-15
BELLAIRE

Hon A. J. Pearson came in from
Washington yesterday morning and left
on the forenoon train for his old home
al WoOdsield, where he will recuperate
for "a few DAYS aud look after business
interests. Mr.. Pearson had been unwell
for several days, threatened with pneu-
monia, but is rapidly convaleScing. He
will return 20 Washington in few
days. Mr.. Pearson was accompanied by
his law partner, Mr.. O6ey, Of Woods
field.
The pOsto0ice clerks say that they
are glad st. Valentines Day comes but
once. The amount of mail was not
rs large as usual but or sufficient
volume TO tire the clerks, and quite as
much by the annoyance Of those who
expected 90 receive valentines.
Dora Watkins, who was bound over to
court in the sum of 5000, changed her
mind aud pleaded guilty to the charge
filed against her. She was fined $50 and
costs and % days in jail.
Charles jenkins and Frank Brainerd
pleaded guilty To- Common Pleas Court
90 the Indictment for assault and bat
terry and were each fined S2Oand ten
days in Jail
Harry Lockwood and Frank Clutch
shaw, the young men who were indict-
ed by the grand Jury, for horse stealing,
pleaded not guilty TO the indictments.
Tha regular monthly meeting of the
City School Board was held Tuesday
night. Bills amounting TO s., 329.10
we're ordered paid.
The Council Committee on Public
Grounds will purchase trees to plant on
the outside Of the pavement surround
ing the City Park.
The fence around-City Park is to be
torn down and sold This will add to
the appearance of that growing place
Of beauty.
Quite a number of people Of Wheel
ing and Bridgeport attended the Good
Templars' open meeting, Tuesday
evening.
n. L. Marsh will open branch jew
elry store az SisterSville, w. Va, to be
placed In charge Of his brother, Cash
Marsh.
Inc IEOkIbec cIuo utlA al ouJoJ ooto
dance In Schmulbach's Hall, Tuesday
evening, which attracted a large crowd.
j. c. briggs & Son, Of Gravel Hill,
have opened a branch store on Thirty
second street.
The city paid its officials and en-
ployes their regular monthly stipend
yesterday.
The coal miners in this city and vi
cinity will return to work again next
week.
Robert Larke has withdrawn from
the contest for nomination for Marshal.
AN the Industrial establishments in
the city are in operation this week.
a very hurried comparison viii demon
strate 20 You that the Daily and sunday
Register b. the best local and teleCrRphtO
paper published In wheeling. Is cents
per week. delivered 60 any part OF the
city and surrounding neiEhbOrhOod
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-02-15
LIVE STOCK
BALTIMORE Cattle MARKET,
TulrsnAY. Fob. s. 1904.

THURSDAY, Feb. S, 1894.
UNION STOCK YARDS CLAREMONT
BEEF CArrLE.-The market for beeves
this week has not been active 40 any time,
but all dealers report il as exceedingly dull
throughout. The quality Of the offerings
generallyis an improvement over that Of
last week, while the tops were fully up 10
the tops Of last week in that respect, the re
were more Of the better better mediums,
and fewer of common grade cattle than for
several weeks past V6lSes, in vi eW Of the
quality and general makelAp Of % bunch
es. are generally quoted as bNng isaa cent
lower last week, out was more favorable
at the winding up. Prices 2a4S{ cents, most
most sales at3l4 a4lS cents per 10
Prices of beef cattle this week ragged as
follows: Best beeves 41Is4S[c, those gen.
erallv rated first quality A. a4lsC, medium
or good fair quality 3a3Ac and ordinary
thin steers, oxen and cows PAP c per 10.
OF the cattle received 623 head came
from Virginia, : from West Virginia, l5l
from Ohio. Up from Maryland, - from
New York, l6S from Illinois, s. from West
Virginia. rs from Tennessee aud 154 from
Pennsylvania.
Total receipts for the week 1l4S head,
AGAINST t,2lQ head last week and $40 head
same time last year. Total sales for the
week !. 155 head, against 1869 last week
and 500 head same time last YEAR The
Baltimore butchers took III head, country
dealers A and the Eastern buyers - head
MuCH Cows. The offerings were ample.
and trade is dull Receipts this week were
GQ head. Quotations az so 70 eS5, and a
few extra AZ $40 per bead.
VBAI. CALvEs.-There is q fair trade re-
norted for Veal Calves Quotations 3iSa6
cents per 10. Receipts this week go head.
SHEEP AND LkNPs.--Ihe market is ex-
sremeiv duu. chiefly owiD' 8 the fact Of
fhe very I different char Of the oner-
ings, and 9 oversppplie Eastern nsar-
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-02-15

thinks hb was wrongfally deprived Of
the contract
An Interesting Moot Court will be
held in' the NJ T.. Church on the secohd
TuesdsT ia March. The case 10 be tried
will bekhe case OF C. p Burley, charged
with Tho supposed stealing OF a brown
horse ftom the premises Of Will Ray, on
the night Of the 18th OF January. Rev.
Mr. Crimes will act rs judge OF the
court. and eminent counsel has been re-
tanned for both the State and deieuce,
who are at present engaged in reading
uu" the law applicable TO such cases,
with the intention OF presenting as
strong a fight as possible. The affair
will have a great amount of fun about
it. and will DO a jovial entertainment
for the young folks.
The spelling contest which was TO
have taken place the coming Friday
afternoon between the seventh and
eighth rooms, at the public SCHOOLS, has
been postponed until some day next
week.
A branch OF the First National Build
ing and loan Association, Of Charles
ton. has been organized at this place,
with a number Of subscribers for be-
ginning.
The sheriff Of Wood county, accom-
panied By two guards, brought up three
prisoners and placed them behind the
bars at tire State prison yesterday.
G.. ID. Morrison, manager Of the Globe
Mineral Wool Co., is absent on a bust
ness trip 10 the interest of the factory.
John Steel has returned from a trip
90 DOddridge county.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-02-15

,ts ., ''. meeting Of the city coup.
.-s f- o.. paving jefferson
.-t $685.. .rs, to Second street
from Jefferson 90 CRAM
.lur '1 street from Lafavetfs
3 .y.... aed Purdy avsnns
...- 90 Twelfth Stree, , .s
R-, r.. .-as E9>,er. Of BelIafre NJ
pa, 81. -4re yard. The lowest
e r-,... William Day. who had
,sa,, ,.- Co DO tho work ior
: lra-5 i-re yard. The Conn.
tsr,,.-- ,-a contract took into
.a ~. % '1e width OF the bri, ~, ~
'0b,Il decided that there was
os, , s5-'s ference between
,,ors ores shown by the two.
IB ,,,eaay mr.. Day and his
bona ,a9d offered 10 give the
loeS lining that the CON.
nb, fg6,iolIy have been
;, an I'm, oicOure the RTavor
n lad S Csp' The bond as the Con- !.
dassl awarded TO another
ASel, suit against the
''''o", Is ar. Day
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-02-15
sTlTB8 COSTUMES

80 much in vogue "a
.: B.. SSsot5a.s5a I6 i A91. +. i5r eed
that the ...s,ts for the ice fes-
.isr Der 'o' .bs does for the con n
rscs2'..oal. Z, Holland aad some some
5:' . @.5'5 .5.,. a3 s & Z 81. +:
eagerly .o'e o.ser more elaborate
word as ). ,Fs.s open air enter u ,
'o .e.. ' one sees any 9' 5g the he
.,3us gown , Vie with each
pc ss display v
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-02-15
DRY GOODS.

New YORK. February 1.-THE marked
Improvement in the weather conditions IS
attended by a larger degree OF activity in
dry goods. Prices have varied in no spe-
cial particular and certainly show no i'm
proyement. Cotton goods rule fairly &C
tive and generally steady. Print cloths
and prints dull. Ginghams and wash
goods are fairly active and steady. The
iobbing trade is more active.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-02-15
FINANCE AND TRADE.
Money. Per Cont-G Governments, Firm.
stocks. Flrm-Flour Weak--Wheat,
Wfuher


Money. L Per Cent Governments, Firm.
stocks. Firm-FlouS weak-WheAt,
Higher.
NEw YORK, February l4.-Money on call
easy at 1 per cent; last loan az per cent
closed az per cent Prime mercantile
paper 3lSa5L, Der cent. Sterling exchange
csc. Az London silver closed at 29ssd
per ounce.
GOvERNNENTS-F1
FOurs Coupons. .......-... ......... Il5t3
FOur-aud-a-half Registered. .......... SO
Pacific Skies Of 'g5...................lV
SSTArEs-Firm.
UROADs-lrregular
SrocKs-Iu the stock market the priuci-
ral activity manifested was during the
morning when the trading was chiefly in
Sugar Chicago Gas, Western Union, Dis
uuinr the Grangers aud New England.
During the afternoon the speculation was
dull except for Chicago Gas, Western
Union and Sugar At the opening a hrm
tone prevailed and most of the shares
traded m where higher than the close yes
tcrduv, exceptions being; Rubber. Cord
age and New England Better prices were
the rule I'M the early dealings on moderate
buviug. while London in the arbitrage
Specialties. and Philadelphia and Reading
were small sellers. A brief period of de-
preston occurred between TO and II
O'Clock. which was followed by q sharp up
ward movement. The advance was stead
fly held duriug the afternoon, except Tor
Chicago Gas and the other InduStrials until
after . O'Clock. when the general list gave
way a fraction. In the hnal dealings a
partial rally was made and the railway
Gst closed fairly firm. On report from
ST. Louis. where the annual meeting was
being held, that the National Liuseed Oil
Company had decided TO issue S3,OO0,OOO
deOen.ure bonds, the stock broke is on
sales Of 600 shares. The selling movement
quickly ended and a recovery Of 3l4 per
cent. was made on buying by insiders
London sold st. Paul so the opening and
there were also selling orders from Phila-
delphia, but the stock received strong out
side support, and only went s below yes
terday's closing, and closed 4 above that
figure. The other Changers were also
well held. The railway and miscellaneous
bond market was unsettled IN the after
noon and closed irregular. Sales I4s,25f
shares. Quotations closed bid:
Atchison, 1l5S; Adams Express, 100;
American Express, III; Baltimore and
Ohio, 63; Canada Pscihc, 30; CeRtral
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-02-15
The Natal nIarKaz

NEW YoRK, February H. Pig iron,
ouiet: American 81 50al5 90. Copper,
dull; lake 81 IS. Lead, domestic - 70.
Tin, easier; straits 81 10.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-02-15
PETKOLEUM

OIL CRY, PA, February 14.-Petroleum,
opened at Sic; highest Size; lowest SO1sc;
closed SOl5c; sales, 5000 barrels; snip
ments, 1904 barrels; runs, 7S,123 bar
rels.
PrTTsBURG, PA, February 14.-Petro-
leum, opened and lowest at sic; closed and
highest 81 sc.
New YORK, February i4-Petroleum,
fairly active and steady; Pennsylvania oil,
sales. none March option sales 1900 bar
rels; closed al S05c bid.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-02-15

fDaily except sunday.
Sunday Church Trains win leave lin 0sov
ct e:ts q n. AID Wheeling 81 1871 p. n.
Il. 4. WEISGERBkR
Gsn. hanasSA
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-02-15
baltimore AND OHIO RAIL

ARRIVE
From New York, Philadelphia, Baltlmoro ana
Washington, SIS m. daily.
Cumberland accommodation, AS p OK
cept Sunday. 49,
Moundsvllle accommodation. 40 a. m. La
and 7.3j p. NJ. except sunday.
Keyser express, 500 y. M. except Monday
WHEELING AND PITTSBURG DIVISION.
For Pittsburg, Washington. Baltimore phir
adelphia and New York, 5.Vo a m aud BOO p
Il Piiisborg accommodation, 100 a. m, daily.
Pitnburg express, 100 p m. except sunday
Washington, Pa, accommodation, ~ p IA
except sunday.
ARRIVE.
From New York. Philadelphia, Balilmofs.
Washington and Pittsburg, ~ 10 A. m, daliyex'
cept Sunday, aud 10 lOa m daily.
Pittsburg mail, l23J p. m, except sunday
washington. Pa, accommodates. 7.25s. "a
Ptttsburg express. 2.IO NJ. sunday only.
TRANs-oHio DIVISIONS
For Columbus. Chicago aud the West.T5
u c aIr Cinclnnati aud St. Louis u
m. daily eIcept sunday l0.lba NJ. dali
2l5 a. m, sunday only. 49,
St. Clairyills accommodalion' iV'lS
BOD M, except Sunday.
y Newark accommodation. $50 p.
Sunday.
ARRIVE
From Chicago 20 and 1910 q. m
From ST. Louis. Cincinnati aus
500 a. m and So p. No., daily.
ST. Clairsyllle accommodation, IL,
and 525 y. M. except sunday
Newark accommodates, LBS a m, exc
sunday CHAE. o. scULL
Cencrsi Passenger Agent
LANE. T. p. Agt. Wheeling, w Va
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-02-15
RAILROADS.

WHEELING AND ELM dR
w RAILROAD On and after Wee
lay, June l.iS9l trains viii -un ~ foil
city time.
Leave Wheelirr, Leave Kim Grow
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-02-15
RAILWAY TIME GARD

Arrival ara departure OF trains on aud Alter
De h 1895 EXPLANATION OF REFERkNcn
MARES: sDaily; tSnnday excepted; ;aou.
DAY excepted; Saturday excepted Sunday
'ouly; tSStur1ay only. EAStern Stauda1d Time.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-02-15

J. +. TERRY.
General Freight and Passenger Agent
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-03-08
All Amendments Save One, Making Re-
ports of Examining Surgeons Open
to Inspection, Rejected.
S151,OOO,OOO APPROPRIATED
LOchren's Scheme to.Kill the Thir-
ty Days Notice Law Defeated.
Spirited Speech by General Henderson,
of IOwa-Remarks of II. U. John
son and Galusha Grow.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.

Speclai 10 the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, March 7.-During the
course of the general debate on the pension
appropriation bill in committee of the whole
in the House. to-day, Mr.. johnson. OF In
diana, made fifteen-minute speech In op-
position to an amendment which Mr.. En-
loe. of Tennessee, offered, and gave notice
that he would move 10 attach IL TO the bill
when the proper time arrived The amend
ment provided that in prima facie cases Of
fraud the Commissioner of Pensions might
withhold the payment Of pension money
pending an investigation. Mr.. Johnson an
tagonized the amendment with great earn
estness. He characterized ii as fair enough
on it's face, and said IL would be an unob-
jectionable law If fairly construed and en-
forced but that the words were words Of
toe great latitude and were capable OF great
abuse in the hands of an unfriendly admin
istration of the Pension Office He went on
to demostrate that the President, Secre-
tary of the Interior and Commissioner Of
Pensions were hostile to pensions. and, In
stead of constituting the pension law liberal
ly and justly, construed II with penal
structures against them Therefore. he said.
he was unwilling 70 pass an amendment
which would permit these officers to de-
eide what prima facie evidence Of
fraud, and to give to their expression such
a wide meaning would virtually annul
the existing laws against Withholding PEN
sion money pending inquiry as to the pen.
sioners' rights. Mr.. Johnson further de-
clared that he was opposed to either sus.
pending a pension or withholding pension
money from a pensioner until after no
tice to him and an opportunity TO him TO
be heard, and that the charges OF great
frauds in the pension roll were false and
that there was ample remedy under exist
ing law against the few wrongful pension
ers thereon without embarrassing and dis
tressing the soldier by holding up his pen
sion money in these times, when he needed
it for the support Of himself and his fam
lily. Subsequently a point Of order was
made against the amendment and II was
ruled out by the Chair.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-03-08
STOOD THE TEST WELL
Successful Preliminary Trial of
the Battle Ship Indiana.
Made Fast Time and Pleased Her Build
ers-Destined to Be the Queen of
ALI Her Class in the World.

DELAWARE BREAKWATER, Del,
March 1.-The battle ship Indiana, which left
the Cramps shipyard in Philadelphia yes
terday morning, dropped anchor off the
breakwater late this afternoon, after
most successful preliminary trial. She will
be back at her dock in Philadelphia to-mor-
row afternoon. Early this morning the ship,
which arrived here last night, was put TO
sea and given hard run of four hours over
the course usually chosen by the Cramps
for their builders trials. This course is off
the five-fathoms banks, extending between
the southwest and northeast light ships, the
distance being nine and sixty-five one-hun-
dredths knots. Three trips were made over
this course. The first, under natural draft,
was accomplished at al knots. The second
under half forced draught in a trife less
than 10 knots. and the third under forced
draught, at 1886 knots. The guaranteed
speed of the Indiana is Is knots The en-
gines, which behaved splendidly, reached a
maximum velocity of 12S revolutions a min
ute, the average under forced draught being
122. With selected coal and speeded over
deeper water, there seems 10 be no doubt
that the big battle ship viii average 1914
knots an hour when the official trial trip
- made. The result of to-day's trip was so
far ahead of expectations that Edwin
Cramp, who has charge Of the ship, gave
orders this evening that she should return
to the yard instead of taking a run to sea,
customary with ships on q first trial. Every
body aboard is we'll pleased with the be-
haVtOr of the Indiana The machinery
works perfectly. The steamer has no rock
and there is no doubt that she will take her
destined place as the queen Of battle ships
of the world
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-03-08
PROTEST FROM COLOMBIA.
The Little Republic Doesn't Like the
Recinrocity Proclamation.

WASHINGTON, March THE President
to-day, in response TO a resolution of the
Senate. transmitted TO that body the corre-
spondence exchanged between this govern
ment and the governments Of Colombia,
Venezuela and Hayti. The correspondence
is relative to the putting into effect of what
is known as the reciprocity clause of the
Mckinley law by proclamation of the Presi-
dent levying duties on products Of those
countries which Disseminated against the
United States by tariffs. The Colombian
minister protests vigorously against the
proclamation and complains that it is vio-
lation of the treaty of 1876 between his gov
eminent and this, by which Colombia gave
duties. Secretary Blaine, in a letter of re-
ply asserted tnat the President did not
regard the Mckinley bill as a violation OF
the treaty of 1876 ''as IL applies the same
treatment to all countries whose tariffs are
1ouIld 10 be unequal or unreasonable The
minister later reiterateS his charges of vio-
lation of the treaty and complains that other
countries which have declined to grant reel
procity treaties have not been proclaimed.
He complains also of the damage suffered by
3 1898. the Colombian minister says to Sec
retary Gresham: THE great decrease In
the importation of the chief staple (coffee)
shipped from Colombia in payment of Amer
lean exports has caused the rate dn Colom-
bia) of exchange on the United States to
rise 10 per cent over and above parity with
Europe. This abnormal difference in the ex-
change represents a loss which falls on the
Colombian consumer of American exports
nor can this loss disappear before (and il
will disappear Immediately after the re-
moval of the differential duty to which
Colombian produce is subjected"
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-03-08
GOD IN THE CONSTITUTION.
Arguments of Preachers Before the Sem
ate Committee Oh Judiciary.

WASHINGTON, March Much feeling
has been aroused In religious circles and
among free-thinkers as we'll over the reso-
luton of Representative Morse, of Massa-
chusetts. to secure recognition of the Deity
in the Constitution. While petitions in IA
vor of the measure have been received by
various bodies other petitions equally strong
In their terms have been presented against
the proposition by organized bodies of free
thinkers. Having heard the statements of
the church people. the committee is con-
fronted with the question whether it shall
AFFORD hearing 10 the. antagonists of the
resolution. Requests for an audience have
been made by free-thought societies of New
York. Chicago and Washington
The Senate committee on judiciary heard
a large delegation from the Reformed Pres
byterian Church, to-day, I'm advocacy of
the recognition of God in the Constitution
of the United States. Rev. II. II. Geridge,
of Beaver Falls. Pa, introduced TIE various
speakers and made a short introductory ad-
dress, which was followed by Rev. T. B.
Stevenson, of Philadelphia, editor of the
State, who read a large number Of let
ters, including one from Rev. Joseph Cook,
calling attention TO. the fact that God is
ence, in the constitutions of forty of the
States of the Union, in the national COIN
age and by the Supreme Court, which had
declared this to be a Christian Nation. Mr.
Stevenson. argued that the supremacy of
God is now recognized in many ways, Off
cially and legally, and contended for an
this further recognition.
Rev. W. j. Robbins, OF Allegheny, Pa,
pointed out the danger of the land from
secular influences and newspapers attempt
ing 10 eliminate the Christian spirit, and
claimed the right of the people to their
constitutional amendment.
Rev. David Manchester, of Allegheny, re-
plying TO Senator Lindsay, said he did not
consider that this would affect the first
amendment TO the Constitution. He said
large proportions Of Jews had signed peti-
tions for this amendment, and he thought
a Jew could conscientiously subscribe to
Constitution which said: In Gods ap-
pointed way through Jesus Christ" In re-
ply 10 Senator HOar. he admitted that he
could not subcribe 10 a Constitution which
should say: Through Gods appointed
way. which Is not through Jesus Christ"
Senator Villas asked what would be the
effect of adding after through Jesus
Christ" the words "and His vice regent on
earth. the holy Roman Pontiff."
DR.. Manchester replied that America had
been founded by the Huguenots and Prot
estants.
Rev. r. c. George, Of the Theological
Seminary. Pittsburg. and Mr. Bowes,
layman, Of Baltimire. also spoke.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-03-08
BEFORE THE HIGHEST COURT.
DetrOit's Street Railway Franchise Case
Sent to the Supreme Justices.

DETROIT. Mich, March 7.-Dispatches T.
from Washington announce that the case
Of the city Of Detroit against the Citizens
Street-railway Company was to-day taken
from the intermediary federal Court
of Appeals, where il had been
pending, TO the Supreme Court
by order Of Supreme Court Justice
Brewer. The case, which involves the va
lidity of and extension Of franchises of
nearly all the street-car lines in this city,
was decided adversely to the company, and
an appeal was taken. To-day attorneys for
the company and for the trustees OF Its
mortgage bonds argued the desirability of
taking the case direct To the final court be-
fore Justice Brewer. with the above result.
The action is not entirely satisfactory to
those representing the city. 1t is generally
believed here that negotiations were pending
between the Mayor and the company
through which the litigation might have
been ended and new franchises granted
which would be more advantageous to the
city. Mayor Pingree said tonight that the
city would win in any event.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-03-08
The shin TO he Ii~btened.

WASHINGTON, March 1T appears that
the reasons for the suggestion by Chief
Naval Constructor Hichborn that four of
the eight-inch guns of the battle ship In
diana be taken off have been misunder-
stood 1t has been assumed that the change
was recommended because it would correct
a lack Of stability in the great battle ship
The chief constructor says the reason for
the change is a desire to Tighten the ves-
sci. The removal Of the four guns in the
case of the Indiana would result In reducing
the draft by three and half inches. Or
dinarily this would be of small moment,
but as the Indiana has no keel and is very
fat-bottomed, the saving means a good deal
in the ability of the ship to drag across a
shoal place and enter some of our shallow
harbors in case of distress. So, also, it is
said, the heeling tests which have been
made with the Indiana are no indication
of suspicion touching her stability, as the
same tests are applied to all naval vessels
before acceptance by the government, and
are, in fact required by the contracts.