davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1904-12-15
NIryV HLTTEDAlC and ns
INV / AL iLNlNS colorin:
in wallpapcr--5O0 styles-at Pol
ster's Corner Drug Store.
Foley's Honey and Tar for coughs
and colds; reliable, tried and tested
safe and sure. Sold by y. X. Kane.

have just completed pneuma.
tic water system for DR.. c. NJ. Jones
Parties wanting to see an up to-
date water system call and zee DIR.
ZONES. For those wanting water
system of this kind see me for
prices.
Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1904-12-15
$40 REWARD

For evidence which will convict the
party or parties who have been
damaging the property of the Bax'
ter Telephone Company, by break
ing glass insulators or otherwise.
+. w. Dow, Manager.
Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1904-12-15
DO YOU WANT A GOOD FARM
STOP AND THINKi

Spring rains will not last always,
Prepare yourself for dry weather
by getting an Aermotor wind mill
and your troubles win be over,
Sd. Johnson, Phone l62.
Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1904-12-15
Ed. JOHNSON, Phone 1872.

For SALE-A fine residence prop.
erty, within two blocks of the post
office; seven nice rooms; house in
excellent repair; good cistern; nice
barn; house has east front. Price
only SLIGO. Call on Daniels &
Plumb.
Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1904-12-15
IMPORTANT NOTICE.

In order to accommodate our rap
idly growing list of customers we
will keep the bank open on Satur.
day evenings until 7:30 o'clock.
BAXTER NATIONAL BANK,
+. X. BROWN, Cashier.
Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1904-12-15
"Watch the KidneYs,,

"When they are affected, life is in
danger" says DIR. Alternately, the
great English physician. Foley's
Kidney Cure makes sound kidneys.
Sold by A. r. Kane.
Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1904-12-15

Baxter aud Chetopa Mail and Hack Line.
Daily Except Sunday.
Leaves Baxter ! p. m; keeivilie S;T'
MeIrose 4. arrives ut Chetopa nt6p. M.
Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1904-12-15
NO HUNTING.

Hunting in Reunion Park is pos
itively forbidden. Parties violating
this notice will surely be prose
cuted. CHAs. +. COLLINS, Manager.
Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1904-12-15

Baxter aud Peoria Mail Line.
Daily except Sunday. Mail leaves Baxter
at 1900 n. m.
Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1904-12-15

Mail and passenger trains run dailyi
freight trims daily except Sunday. Mali
closes at p6stoffice 80 minutes before train
time.
Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1904-12-15
Special attention given to childrens
hair cutting at Armstrong;.

There is no cough medicine so
popular as Foley's Honey and Tar.
1t contains no opiates or poieons
and never fails to cure. Sold by
A. r. Kane.
DO YOU WANT A GOOD FARMr
If 80. call on me. / have for sale a
fine 16O-acre farm five and one-half
miles from Baxter Springs. The
place is well improved and has a
nice pasture with everlasting water
Good district school is near by.
T. E. NEEDS.
Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1904-12-15
EUREKA Ss2s2sR7GS.

The Crescent Hotel Is, since being renod-
eied, maintained as a strictly frst-ciass hotel,
and Is open the year round.
TIME OF TRAINS AT ~.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1904-03-17

he'd thar Re xas not nov excsedins
his province or acuDg IN advance of
The wishes Or congress. because con
gress nov Individually was in favor
81 tie JOINT statehood legislation
Therefore. The executive in declaring
his oxn views o. the subject fer
and rightly felt that he was acting
Iin accordance xtth tie rishes OF the
Legislative body
It vii doubtless rot be forgotter
Id Washington that Governor Brodis
and other federal appointees are acs
ing in direct opposition TO the wishes
of the president ard administration
and contrary 10 the pronounced atti
ltude Of the republican majority In con
gress.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1904-03-17
Summary 81 the stocks.

NEW YORK, March 17.--American
stocks in London generally heavy, IA
TO 3-S below parity.
Northern Securities expected to pro.
coed 10 liquidation.
United Mine Workers voted against
coal strike.
Ninety-two roads January average
net decrease 23.t per cent.
Iron Age says better feeling in iron
trade continues.
Southern pig iron manufacturers ex'
pect TO be able TO sustain recent ad'
vance in price.
Good demand for B. & 0. in loan
crowd.
Foreign bonds rather easier in Lon
don.
Banks gained from sub.treasury
since Friday $4,000. D., J. & Co
Chicago Livestock.
CHICAGO, Ills. March 17.-Cattle
SLOW. Good 10 prime steers s5.25 q
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1904-03-17
4 uaeL UPON THE PRESS.

The New York World reprints from
The Worlds Work some exracts from
an article In which Edward COX, ID
itor OF the Ladies' Home Journal q
conservative and fastidious publica'
ton. endeayors to explain why. as he
asserts. people disbelieye the news
papers"
Commenting on the article. The
World says: The instances OF news
paper lying which Mr, BOX cites arc
given A. firsthand knowledge, whicn
is emphasized BY constant reeptltion
Of the smallest and most shrinking
pronoun. II accurately stated. they q
reveal certain unnamed journals u
guilty OF shocking and ~inescnsahls
lying But they % not Justify Mr. BoN
in condemning newspapers he hai
never 50 much has seen. IN q sweep
ing Indictment n ihe American pfcfI
n q whole.
IL Is quite the fashion fof politician
for financIers. for society ~buftofae.
whose folies frauds ard shams arl
pdnctafca ~ The pa % rail at d.
license q he prsas III saeh !
erai iibsi nisn nf me hlgheat ehafae
ter and The nobiest public serRt
whose shoe iachc's their critics a.
unworthy % loose. az sianderostl
inclnasd.
saell a slandemas critic NJ IL.
viii stand sslf-esnfessed 4 be doc
no. take early opportunity ia nam
ihe Tying euspapers ~ cores an
TO disayos aud fstract bis genera
aceusat8on againsi III Others With
out such action he viii himself *
main 4 conspicuous sinner by what g
cana sthe crime o. modern nesspa
PETITE forseualness " The mora
responsibility that should be NJ, ~
whatever Il publishes
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1904-03-17

After five weeks OF war. what Is
the situation Esks the Springfield
Republican. No one knows exactly;
any one can guess, But we can be
sure OF one thing, that the war Is not
moving 20 rapidly toward q climax
as did either the wal between Spain
and the United States. countries at
a greater distance from each other.
or the war betseen France and der
many. adjoining nations. Six weeks
after war was declared 10 1870 the
Germans had won Sedan. and made
the Emperor Napoleon prisoner.
Five weeks after the first attack on
Port Arthur no man q discern the
probable duration Of the war. or make
more than q mere guess as TO the
outcome. II the veil could be lifted
from Japan's operations in landing
troops IN Korea we could better calcn-
late The developments Of the imme.
date future; az matters stand, IL Is
impossible to say even that a great
Japanese army viii soon be ready 70
invade Manchurla IA no war In the
past 80 years has the world known
80 little o. the land operations Of the
combasants i've weeks after war be.
gan, As for The naval phase, L can
only be repeated that the Japanese
have not ended i.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1904-03-17
chicaoo Grain and Provisions.
Kansas City Livestock.

KANSAS CITY, Mo, March IL.
Cattle. SC to 1Oc lower; native steers
$3.75as5.75; southern steers. $3.50
s4.25; cows, s2.4oQs3.15: native COWS
and hifers, s2Gs2.4o; stockers and
feeders, s3.00as425; bulls. $2.50@
1870; calves, ss.oeass.5o; western
steers. s3.40as4.5o. western cows
s20oq$3.50.
Sheep, steady; muttons, s3S0d&i
lambs. s475Gs5.65; range wethers
81 2ods4.55; ewes, s2.75Gs43o.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1904-03-17

49,
The Chicago Iss&rd of education mas
~ The seal Of condemnation on the
vertical system u writing. Through
iss Official bulletin the board Gays
III Il an injustice 70 the child to i'm
pose . system Of handwriting upon
him and force him 70 adhere 10 u
through his growing years A. the cost
Of not only kuppresslng bis indistd-
uaiity In this acquired mode Of expires
sion, but also al the sacrifice Of his
time and the mental nuency that
comes with the ease which accompan-
les 4 mode Of expression fitting the
individuals characteristics"
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1904-03-17

Placing the Baltimore loss a. sse.
go. and thar Of Rochester. n. Y al
s3y2o00o0, the New York Journal q
Commerce figures up a total des'ruc
ton from IRE in the United States
and Canada for February OF 3sa.o5l,
Co0, compared viii about sl6eoooo
thar month last year. and s2i6ooOs
two years ago. The loss Tor me mrs
txo months Of the year aggregate
sfiis4o. 1000. The fire loss for eacl
or the past three or four years aver
aged about sI55 ,000. 900 FOR the Who'll
l2-month period. The present canno
but be a memorable year for the IN
snrance companies.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1904-03-17
Only ! Few Of the Kind.

1t is extremely probable that you
love good singing and dancing, don't
you? There is a sumptous feast IN
store for you, then. All that heart
could desire in that line will be given
in "a Wise Woman II
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1904-03-17

Las Vegas has made all prepara-
lions TO properly entertain the dele
gates TO the territorial convention.
ii remains for the weather man to do
his part.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1904-03-17

S5.T5; poor to medium $3.50 $5.eeii
stockers and feeders $3.50 q $4.25;
cows $3.50 q s4.25; heifers $500 q
s3.45; Gamers $3.50 q $3.50; bulls
$500 a 1900: calves $500 q 5000;
Texas steers $500 q s4.65.
Sheep-Steady. Good to choice
vethers s4.25 q s5.25; fair 70 choice
mixed $3.50 q $3.50; western sheep
,325 q s5.I5. native lambs $50 @
$3.50, western lambs s3.75 @ s5.75.
Chicago Grain and Provisions.
wheat--May. "a rs; July. 80 rs q
81.
Corn-May. IS Is; July. SO S..
oas-May. SO rs q 40. July, 81
SIS @ "a.
Pork-May. 1882; July. 1882.
Lard--May. 800; July. s7.15.
Ribs-May. ss.92; July, s7.o5.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1904-03-17

Certain inhabitants Of New Mexico
and Arizona insist that when Presi-
dent Roosevelt makes q declaration
Of his position on the statehood cues
ton he send them IN autograph copy.
with i notary public.s affidavit of au-
th~eniicity.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1904-03-17

". Z. Hill has reopened the Pastime
cigar store with a full line Of cigars
and tobacco. $50
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1904-03-17
cAnson's PRESIDENTIAL BOOM

The Indignation among congress
men over the postal report was re-
sporslble for the enthusiasm which
greeted the suggestion Of Speaker Can.
mons name in connection with the
presidency In the house on lasi FRI
day.
The Washington Post relates among
Others the following incidents which
provided The subject for amused com
ment in the capital
Uncle Joe Cannon refused p be
unduly eiated oyer the remarkable
manner in which the house received
the suggestion OF his name in con.
nection with the presidency. Some
oae suggested 10 him Saturday that
perhaps The country would receive his
name as enthusiastically as did the
house.
Pooh he CALCULATED. that didn't
amount 10 anything. The boys Just
felt like hoilering, and when they
were given a chance 10 holler at me,
they just did II. that's all. They
knew | wouldn't get mad
After The house adjourned On Sat
urday, Speaker Cannon walked over u
William Alden Smith, and putting bis
arm, In the fatherly way he has, about
the shoulders Of the Michigan mem
her. who On Friday had set the house
wild By nominating Uncle Joe ~
president, he said
when | am elected president, mi
boy, I'll make you secretary o.
state.
In the meantime. Mr.. Speaker.
was Mr.. Smiths quick rctort. I'd b
; glad II you would put me on the Way
J and Means committee
AT the beginning Of the present con
, gress. Speaker Cannon was compelle.
: to deny the Michigan members am
Q billion to a place IN the Ways an
Means committee.
Representative and Mrs. William
0 Alden Smith were among the pedes
TRANS on 10th street yesterday abou
the noon hour. They were strollinI
leIsurely down that thoroughfars
when a gentleman came up brisk
/, behind them.
e why. how do you do, Mrs. Smith
! How are you. William Alden?" he IL
I quired In a CHEEKY manner, as h
shook hands with both and joine
0 them In their walk down the stree
b II was President Roosevelt, return
!. Ing from church 10 the White hous,
The incident naturally attracted a
tention from all the passers.by, esp,
! cially III view Of Mr.. Smiths ringin
u speech In the house OF representative
y Friday. proposing d presidential booi
for Speaker Cannon. without spec
8 ncally mentioning the year.
All the way down Sixteenth stree
. the three chattcd In a manner as ain
Q able as 10 dIspei any thought Of un
bragg al The representatives. remark
in the house As a matter Of fac
y the president aud Mr. Smith have Ion
been warm personal friends. The
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1904-03-17

Calico Ball IN Rosenthal hall to.
night 3-5s.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1904-03-17

Russian diplomats hare found diftt
cnlsy il cls~ssisg the Hay es1
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1904-03-17

have touched elbows Ia several cam
paigns and have appeared on the
stump together in different parts Of
The country.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1904-03-17

Perry Onion buys secondhand
goods. a-53
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1904-03-17

The political Iines Stil r drawn
TAFT VI Satar1ay
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1904-03-17
@ A. BHUDIE,
Governor Of Arizona

Under those circumstances. u
course, ii Is absolutely out 81 the CUES
lion that i joint statehood bill viii
pass the United states Senate at this
session
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1904-03-22
SOUTH IS HOSTILE TO HEARST
Leading Democrats Regard Him as a
Stalking Horse for RrYanism.

Washington, D. G., March 10. - Be
lieving that the Hearst movement is
but a stalking horse for Organism the
democratic leaders in the south have
become considerably alarmed and are
taking steps to fight his nomination at
the st. Louis convention. Democratic
senators and representatives from the
southern states have received word
from the leaders that they look upon
the Hearst boom as an attempt to lead
the party back into the fold of populism
and socialism. The prominent demo
Gratis of the south have been trying to
reorganize the party along conserva-
tive lines and they are inclined to re-
sent this move. While they are not
great admirers Of Cleveland they fear
that their is1a possibility that the senti-
ment of the south may see revolt
from the Hearst movement to the other
extreme, which would probably result
in the nomination of Grover Cleveland.
Advice is going forth from democrats
in Washington to their fellow parti-
sans in the south to select only anti
Hearst delegates to the st. Louis con-
vention.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1904-03-22
CHINA Is SUSPECTED OF
BREAKING HER PROMISE

censured by the czar is practically
known. He was in disgrace and re-
allied it thoroughly.
Vladivostok Squadron Leaves.
Paris, March 49, - The petit Paris
lens st. Petersburg correspondent ca
bles as follows:
Il learn from reliable source that
the Russian Vladivostok squadron has
left port. The officials absolutely refuse
to discuss the destination of the squad
ron. Seventy-two hours have passed
since the ships left Vladivostok."
Russia Has the Money.
The correspondent has had an inter
view with Finance Minister Kokovzoff
who expressed surprise at the recent
panic on the Paris bourse, adding that
Russia had profited by buying Rus
sian stocks at bottom prices. The min
lister declared that the gold reserve in
the bank was actually increasing and
that il any metal was to be sent
to the seat of war, it would be silver,
tothe use of which the orientals were
accustomed. He said the Russian
mint was actually casting silver balls,
similar to those employed In Manchuria
for the use of the Russian authorities
there.
Finally the minister denied all knowl-
edge Of any purpose on the part of
Russia to float loan in France
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1904-03-22
BLooMFlELD.

Bloomfield, March 19.-Miss Lels
Cleland, daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. E
Cleland, of this place, will represent
the Bloomfield high school In the dis
trict declamatory contest to be held al
Winterset on March 25. Miss Clelana
will enter the contest in the humorou.
class, although she won first place in
the local contest in the dramatic class.
The only opening, however, in the dis
trict contest. was in the humorous
class, as all other classes We're fully
represented. Miss Cleland will present
1.-THE Born Inventor" in the district
contest.
Charles Whipple. who resides neal
Milton entered a plea of guilty yester-
day in Justice T. j. Bryant's court to
the charge of carrying concealed weas
pons and was given a fine Of $25 and
costs. Charles Etheridge was th{
prosecuting witness. The state was
represented by County Attorney J. T
Dabney, and the defendant by Attorney
S. s.. Silver The fine was suspended
during good behavior Of the defendant,
The audience which greeted EIbert
Hubbard at the Methodist Episcopal
church Thursday evening must have
been gratifying to the noted lecturer OF
Roycroft' fame, as the connections
church was completely filed with inter-
| ested listeners. Mr.. Hubbard gave the
fourth number Of the series of seasons
entertainments. He was introduced by
| W.. "A. Herman In well chosen words.
Mr.. Hubbard talked for nearly two
hours upon the subject. "Roycroft
Ideals" and held the undivided atten-
| ton of the audience from the Begin
ming to the close Of the lecture, and
was frequently applauded. The lee
ture was thoroughly appreciated, and
| the speaker made many friends for
himself in Bloomfield.
| Judge and Mrs. Il. w. EichelbergeF
| have returned from Centerville, whers
| the Judge has just completed seva
| eral weeks term of court.
Ed Mishler, of Udell, is a guest at
the home of his sister, Mrs. S. N. Zook
DR.. J. M. Garrett, of Troy, was look-
ing after business affairs in this city
| Thursday. Z.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1904-03-22
SITUATION IN AFRICA GROWS
MORE sERIoUs-FleHT
MARCH 10.
WILD HEREROS VICTORS
Seven German OFFICERS and Nineteen
Privates Killed and Several Others
Were Wounded -cIassenapp May
Attack Tribesmen's Position.

Berlin, March 19.-Colonel Lieut.
Vein, governor of German Southwest
Africa reports severe fighting there on
March 13. The Germans were forced
to retreat with a loss of seven officers
and nineteen men killed and many
more wounded.
Germans Meet With Surprise.
Commandant Glasenapp with num-
ber OF his staff officers and thirty-six
cavalrymen advanced ahead OF the
main body and overlook the enemy's
van guard, which had unexpectedly re-
ceived reinforcements.
Glasenapp was forced to retire los
ing seven officers and nineteen priv
ates killed and three officers and two
priyates wounded. The fight occurred
on March 13, near Owikoworero, with
the Tetjo tribe of Hereros.
Tribesmen Suffer Loss.
The enemy's loss is not known but
twenty dead natives were seen.
Will Make Attack.
Glasenapp is now taking measures
to attack the Hereros' position in
force.
The dead include Captain Won Fran
els. Lieutenant Eggers and DIR. Vel
ten, physician of Habicht. Glasen-
app was slightly wounded in the head.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1904-03-22
MUNTERvILLE.

Mlnterville, March 1S.-Tuesday oc-
Cured the funeral rites of the last of
the Oldest of Swedish American set
tiers, P. Gustave Anderson, who was
born in Dahlem, Kalmar Lane. Sweden
during the year 1920 1mmigrating to
America during the year 1851, he liy-
Ing in this vicinity ever since. He was
married twice, having six children by
his first wife. of which three are liy-
ing, and also six children by his sec
ond wife, Of which three are living.
His second wife is left to mourn his
loss. The burial services We're held in
the Lutheran church. and conducted by
Rev. t. E. Linden, pastor, of which
Mr. Anderson had been constant
member since the year 1856 His chill
dren are all living in the near vicinity,
with the exception Of one daughter
Mrs. Gust Peterson, whose home Is in
st. Joe, Mo-, but all were in attendance
Mr.. and Mrs. Peterson having arrived
Monday. Gustav Anderson has been
noted for his thrift and energy and
business principles, and liked by all his
people, and as this man is the last OF
the older Swedish settlers in this Vi
cinity, it will mark an epoch in the
history of the Swedish Americans of
this section.
The people Of this vicinity were
again called out Wednesday to attend
IiC Jul leii SSlNlCtS VI AlDGTC burEaSOn.
son of Mr. and Mrs. John Burgason.
near Dudley. Mr.. Burgason was en-
ployed as a fireman for a railroad COM
pany near Dess Moines, his home being
in Valley Junction. Immediately on
his return to their home short time
ago. his health seemed to fail, but
nothing serious until the later part of
last week when his father, John Bur-
gason, was summoned by aMteegram,
and ha loft of y &c, ,Br,s -
dence and never left his bedside until
after his death, when he came home to
make arrangements for his interment
in the family lot in the cemetery at
Munterville. The remains were ac-
companied by his wife and close rela-
tives. a Christian minister and num-
ber Of the Brotherhood of l.. f., of
which Albert was a member, and they
were his constant attendants until his
body was placed in it's last resting
place. The burial services were con-
Quoted by Rev. e. T.. Linden, and the
Christian church minister who accom-
panied the mourners from Valley juno
ton. Albert Burgason was % years
old. months and 10 days of age and
leaves wife of six months, besides his
parents and six brothers and two sis
ters, of whom all We're in attendance
except one sister living in Seattle,
Washington, who was unable to come.
The relatives have the heartfelt SYM
pathy Of all in this sad hour of their
affection.
Nels Hall, who has been seriously i'll
for the past several weeks lis reported
to be improving in health slowly.
Frank Smith reports several fox
chases this week, in which two foxes
are reported on the short list from
Polk township. f
Miss Ella Hall was an Ottumwa visi-
tor Tuesday.
Chas. Wallace and family will move
out from Ottumwa this week to the
farm of Mr.. Wallace's father, which
Chas will tend this year.
Chas w. Peterson was elected di-
rector at large for the school township
of Polk for the ensuing year at the
school election last Monday.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1904-03-22
ROCK ISLAND MEN TO MEET.
Bond Issue Of $125, ,ooo, 900 VIII Be Con.
sdered at Davenport Monday.

Davenport, March ia meeting of
the stockholders of the Rock Island
system will be held in Davenport Mon
day, March 21, for the consideration of
"a bond issue of SIZE, 100000. The is
sue is to be negotiated through the
banking house of Speyer. e Co., of
New York, in accordance with the pol
icy Of President Loree. The meeting
will have the effect Of merging all
leased lines, including the Des Moines
& Fort Dodge railway, into a more
compact system, instead of operating
them as branches under individual cor
porate titles.