davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1907-12-21
FORCED TO STEAL
Girl Arrested in Pittsburg Tells
Pitiful Story.
DlS0WNED BY FATHER

Eloped, Only to Find That She Was
Not a Wife, and Was Forced to
Steal to Support Fashionable
Man.
Plttsburg, Dec. 19.-Mabel Hall, the
nineteen year-od daughter OF PROBES
sor Il. A. Hall, who conducts private
school and tutors the children OF many
wealthy families. was arrested In the
nat OF Frederick Allerton, alias Clarke.
and his wife, Georgeone. who was also
arrested.
Miss Hall, who has been carefully
educated, and whose father is in more
than comfortable circumstances. was
detected stealing a 500 muff in a de-
partmont store She was followed to
the Allerton fiat
A large number Of residents Of the
fashionable East End, where the girl
was until recently socially prominent.
visited her at the Jail and tried to ef.
feet her release II was thought best
TO hold her for the present. but 1t Is
believed that her pitiful story will
avert any punishment for her crime.
Alerton is a fine looking man and
is apparently we'll educated. Miss Hall
says that she met him about year
ago as Frederick Clarke at a dancing
masters assembly, and that he told
her he was connected with one Of the
big steel concerns here. He called on
her at her home. but her father. who
disliked him from the first. forbade
him the house. Then the two eloped
to New York and were married.
Upon returning to Plttsburg Aller-
ton took his bride to the fiat in which
she was captured. There he confessed
that his name was Allerton. and that
the young woman already occupying
the apartment was his wife. The de-
celved girl was without funds. Aller-
ton having taken from her $500 and
all OF her jewels OF considerable value.
and she bad suffered a greater mis-
fortune in that her father had dis
owned her when she eloped.
Allerton and his wife told her that
she must make the best OF bad bar
gain, and feeling that she was help
less she remained in the apartment.
Eventually she says she discovered
that Allerton and his wife were shop
Ilfters. and that Allerton was living
on the stealings OF several unfortunate
girls She says she then tried to leave.
but was restrained by threats. and
was told that she must 60 to work as
thief. For six months, she says, the
man and his wife instructed her, and
three weeks ago. when the holiday
rush on the stores began. she made
her first trip with her preceptors and
was indicted into her new vocation.
A large number Of valuable articles
we're found in the fat
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1907-12-21
TWELVE MEN MURDERED
Were Stripped Naked, Stood Against
Trees and Shot BY Indians.

Nogales. Ariz., Dec. l9.-lntormauon
which has just reached here tells Of
the frightful murder Of twelve men by
a band Of $50 Yaqui Indians forty-hye
miles southeast Of Magdaleua State Of
Sonora. Mexico. p J. Mcintyre and
party Of mining men arrived from
the scene where they viewed the re-
mains OF the murdered men. The Va
ouis captured the party OF thirteen
men. Among the number was Jose
Fernandez. son OF President Fernan-
dez Of the town Of Cucurpe. and
owner OF the Mescal plantation where
the killing occurred The others were
Mexican Iaborers on the ranch and
some Cananea miners looking for
work.
One American was among the num-
ber but he was rescued by men who
told him that they we're Americans
The remaining twelve were stripped
naked. stood up against trees and shot
through the head. a band OF faquls
is reported to be on the warpath.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1907-12-21
NEVER HEARD OF GOD
And Knows Nothing Of Bible, Testlfs:
ROV.

Soy.
Newark. n. j., Dec. IA thirteen
year-old boy who had never heard OF
God or Of the Bible and wondered
what they meant, confronted Judge
Jones and a jury in the First district
court.
The boy, whose name is Max Rosen'
stein, was called as a witness in a
damage suit against the North Jersey
Street Railway company.
When he had taken the stand,
Chauncey Beasley. counsel for the
railway company, questioned him as TO
whether he knew the nature OF an
oath. The boy professsed ignorance oil
the meaning of the word.
did you ever hear Of the Bible?'
asked the lawyer.
Il don't think l did" answered the
boy.
Were you ever taught that there
Is a God?"
mo, sir"
Ever hear there is a God?"
NO. sir"
Thoroughly nonplussed, the lawyer
looked appealingly toward the judge
did you ever go to school," he
finally asked the boy.
81 did"
And you never heard Of God?"
81 never did; | don't know what
It means"
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1907-12-21
na,vsv,e Birthday Dinner.

Washington. Dec. 10. - Admira
George Dewey gave a dinner at his
home or K street in celebration OF the
seventeen anniversary OF his oirtn
The actual anniversary does not occur
until the 26th instant, but the cele
bration was advanced in order thai
the president, who was anxious to &C
cept the admiral's invitation to at
tend. might be present, Mr.. Roosevelt
expecting TO be away from the city
for q time next week.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1907-12-21
FLEET TO RETURN
BattIeshlps Will Make Trip
Around The World.
A 3l,OOO-MILE JOURNEY

hOIniIdl IfdHo FlhlOH'~~N -,
room Dinner That Warships Would
Return Home BY Way Of the suez
Canal.
New York. Dec. l9-The Sun pub
fishes the following wireless message
from it's correspondent aboard the bat
tleship Louisiana:
~. S. =. Louisiana, at sea.--ficeI Is
proceeding at a regular speed OF ten and
one-half knots an hour.
AT noon Wednesday the log had reg
istered 250 miles. 1t Is expected mat
the feet will make the Anegada pas
sage by noon Of Saturday.
"The fleet is proceeding in four-col-
umn formation. making a rectangle OF
1900 yards wide and 1900 yards deep.
The four admirals lead the columns,
Rear Admiral Evans flagship. the
Connecticut. being right guido.
The assigned intervals between the
ships have been kept perfectly.
"The sea so far has been OF river
smoothness.
AT n wardroom dinner on Monday
night. the announcement was made by
Admiral Evans on the authority OF
President Roosevelt that the fleet
would return home by way OF the Suez
Canal.
THE presidents wireless message OF
farewell. sent from the May flower on
Monday. was enthusiastically received
by the entire feet"
The nows that the fleet Is to return
by way Of the SueZ canal Is the hrst
announcement OF the presidents In
tenuons. and disposes. for the time at
least. Of an immense amount OF con-
lecture The only definite program so
far has been for the ships to 90 10
Magdaleua bay. in Lower California.
arriving there. according TO schedule
on March Il. After a months practice,
target and evolution there, the feet
was TO proceed to San Francisco. This
was as far as the program had been
announced.
What would happen after that has
been left TO the theorists. and there
have been those who believed that 1t
was largely a matter OF chance. Part
OF the presidents message was taken
to intimate that the ships that return
ed would traverse the same route COM
ing as going. 1t has been thought By
many that the feet would not return
as a whole; that half the ships would
be left in the Pacific. supposedly at
the Philippines This. Of course, may
be so. But the information contained
in the above wireless message does not
aford any evidence to support the
ory OF division Of the feet.
II the Suez return route IL taken. the
distances the fleet will have covered
from san Francisco on its return 70
New York will be as follows.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1907-12-21

New Brunswick. n. j.. Dec. ia
Hebrew peddler. who had said his
name was J. Murphy and his home in
Brooklyn. was found dead on the turn
pike between South River and this
city. He had been shot in the mouth
and a revolver was found by his side.
Murphy sold a lot Of cheap watches.
which he said were gold and which
were really brass. to large number
of foreigners who work at that place.
When the men found that they had
been duped they ragged about the VII
LACE and declared they would have
vengeance on the peddler II they
found him.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1907-12-21

Newark. N. j. Dec. LIT required
a dozen workmen in the shops Of the
McCabe Boiler company to rescue
George Smith. a rivetboy, from an at
tack by a Maltese cat. Smith had the
animal In his arms when, without
warning, It leaped at his face and a
dozen men ran to the rescue. The
Maltese chung TO Smith with teeth
and claws. and replied to the blows II
received from the workmen with sui
len snarls until it was beaten on. 1t
then dashed from the shop and disap-
reared.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1907-12-21
Southern Railway

B.-Following schedule figures published 81
Information and are not guaranteed.
Schedule effective Dec. Sth, 1907.
Trains leave Washington from New Union
Station
sos q. m. Dsily-LooRl for Warrenton DAD
SOS am Daily-Local for Harrsonburg, Va
9OOa m. Daiy-United States Fast MAIL
Fhst-clsse coaches and draWing-rootn. seepeI ~
Columbus, Ca, and New Orleans. Dining car ser
100 a. m. dany-washington and Florida
Limited. Through coaches and sleeper 70 Co
iumbla, Savannah and Jacksonville Dining
I05p. m. week Days-Lceel for HArrisonbure
and WAY stations on Manassas Branch.
ass u Daily-Local for warrenton and
aIsp m' Daily-Yeu YorE sni A,l1ntA KH-
oress-Firs. class COACH to Atlanta. Sleeper 70
Atlanta, Co.. Mondays. Wednesdays, fridays.
suneet Route Tourist sleeper. Washington TO
az 10 M Daily-New York and Augusta Ex.
nress First class coach and sleeper TO Colum-
5ia. Aiken and Augusta. Dining car Ia carte:
i0IbD. m. Dally-New York and Memphis
limited (Via Lynehburg) First class eosen anu
sleepisR car to Roanoke, Knoxville, Chatta-
oooga. Birmingham and Memphis; sleeper TO
New Orleans. Dinlngcar service.
n % n m. Dnily-NeW York and New Orleans
imited-Ail Pullman trains. club ana oOeeIna-
ton cars to New Orleans; sleeper . Ash'ne,
Atlanta. Birmingham New Orleans pinins-cai
service. -.
ows Daily, Z q. NJ, Ills a. m, H. 30 p. m. week
days D. m. makes connections At DsnVllle ior
sII points South. Pullman sleeper. Trains
arrive Richmond SIS ?. m. 40 p. m. and $40
o. m. daily, $40 a. m. week days
Through trains from the South arrive wash
lngton 1855 a. n, s.45 Q. m. Dos a, m, daily 40
.. m. So D. m, 11.30 D. M. and 1ifoI. m, daily
Herrisonburg l2.25 D. m. week days and w p;
M. daily. Prom Charlottesville. $40 o. m. ana
sfb p. m. a...uoa
Tickets. sleeping-ear reservations. and aetaleo
Information can be had at ticket ONCE 10TH
a.. sll Pa. ave and New UnioN steuon.
baggage checked through from hotels and resi-
dences. Dab service.
G. II. AcKERT, V. P. and Gen. Man.
e.H. HARDWICK, Pass. Traiie hgr
VII. TAYLOE, Gen, Pesa- Agent.
hi BROWN. General Agent.
Washington. ID.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1907-12-21
EMBEZZLER ARRESTED
Bank Defaulter Captured In Mou
4aine In over California.

Bank Defaulter Captured In Noun
tains In Lower California.
San Diego. Cal, Dec IA special
from Ensenada says:
"a man who was arrested in min
ing camp about 100 miles back in the
mountains and now in Jail here await
ing Identification, is supposed to be
William F. Walker. formerly cashier
Of the Savings bank, Of New Britain
Conn, who is wanted TO answer
charge Of embezzlement Of 100000 In
that city. He was only prevented from
committing suicide by the timely In
tervention of the officers in charge"
The prisoner is about five feet eight
inches tall, of medium build, wears
mustache and vandyke beard. A small
vial which is supposed to contain pol
son was taken from him just in time
A revolver was also taken from him
after he had made a desperate at
tempt to use 1t.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1907-12-21
u.rNams On overaIIs Brings Husband

Rushville, Ind, Dec. 19.-Fred Brod
DIV. a rich farmer, left for Poughkeep
sic. n. Y, to marry Miss Agnes Adams
on Christmas day. About a year age
Broddy bought a pair Of overalls On
a strip OF linen attached to the waist
band was the name Of Miss Adams
the maker, with a request that the
purchaser write to her. Broddy &C
cepted the challenge, photographs
were exchanged and an engagement
followed
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1907-12-21
IAPS FEAR FLEETS EFFECT
Regard Cruise As Friendly, But Think
II Nav Stir Up Race Prejudice.


Tokyo. Dec 19.-The Jill Shimpo.
an ind pendent paper. publishes an
editorial on the dispatch Of the Amer
lean feet to the Pacific.
This Is a noteworthy naval under
taking" the paper says, zone that will
attract the attention Of the world.
We do not entertain the idea even
for one moment. however. that the
purpose Of the trip is to threaten ia
pan. Should the American feet visit
these shores. it Will be given a most
cordial reception, worthy the special
friendship between Japan and the
United states.
"Our only fear is that the dispatch
Of the feet may encourage anti
Japanism on the Pacific coast and
bring about a repetition Of the regret
table incident at San Francisco. We
trust. however. that the United States
authorities will take the necessary
precautions in ibis regard"
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1907-12-21
Mo. entity Of Criminal Libel.

Johnstown, Pa, Dec. 10. - Joseph
Garfield, a wealthy real estate agent
was acquitted of the charge OF crimi-
nal libel against the Jamestown Trust
company and the Citizens National
bank. but the jury assessed the costs
upon him. It was alleged that Cauf'
field several weeks ago sent scores oil
notices to other deposltors alleging
that the two financial institutions
were unsound.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1907-12-21
rhre. Men Killed BY Trains.

JohnstOwn. Pa, Dec lS. - Three
men were Killed in Cambria county BY
trains. David A. Rhoades was run
down by the Pltsburg accommodation
on the Pennsylvania railroad on the
outskirts OF this city. Bennett Weak
land. a prominent coal operator OF
Patton. was run over near his home.
The body OF an unknown man, about
forty years old, terribly mangled, was
found near Gallitzin.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1907-12-21
Claims She Was Kidnapped.

Chicago. Dec. IS. - Angelina De
Tallo. fourteen years old. o. Philadel-
phla caused the arrest Of John Mar
conf. a barber, who she charges KID
mapped her from her home six months
ago. The girl asserts that Marconi
locked her in a room in Chicago. as
saulted her end beat her with a heavy
strap. Marconi denies the charges and
says that the girl accompanied him
willingly.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1907-12-21
SEEKS INJUNCTION
Wants Corielyog EnjOined From
Issuing Panama Bonds.
SAYS He VIOLATED LAW
Georae w. Austin Declares Bonds
Were Not Issued to Highest Bidders
and His Bid For 100000 Was Ig-
nored.

norec.
Washington. Dec. l9.--Just!co Gould,
Of the District supreme court cited
George b. Cortelyou. secretary OF the
treasury, to appear In court Friday
Jan. 3. 1908. to show cause why he
should not be enjoined from turning
over or delivering the balance OF the
t21. 450, 900 Of the Panama bonds 10
certain banks and persons to whom ne
has announced allotments.
The citation issued by Justice Gould
is based on a petition filed by George
W. Austin, OF New York, who do
scribes himself as a taxpayer and
property owner in the United States
and who declares he made a proposal
TO purchase bonds OF the advertised
issue OF the face value Of s3OOO,OOO.
lie AYERS he had agreed to pay at the
rate OF 10S.375 and accrued interest per
500. and on notice Of the acceptance
OF his subscription stands ready to de-
post the amount with the assistant
treasurer At New York.
Mr. Austin informs the court that ne
had been advised through the public
press that. in direct violation OF the
statutes and In absolute disregard OK
the treasury departments circular NO.
6s. OF the s25. 100000 OF the bonds al
iotted only 81 100000 we're allotted to
natural persons who we're individual
bidders for the same and who. In ac-
cordsnce with the statutes and circu-
lar we're given an equal opportunity to
subscribe therefor. The remaining
1914 00O. 900 we're allotted to divers ma
tlonal banks throughout the United
states and only S3.55oooO Of which
we're allotted to banks which had a
higher price than that bid by him.
When he learned that his bid mad
been ignored and no allotment made to
him. he says he complained to the de-
partment and the response conyinces
him OF the secretary's intention to dis
regard the statutes and hereby commit
a malfeasance for which he says he adj
visas and AYERS Mr.. Cortelyou is not a
man Of sufficient means TO answer TO
the citizens OF the United States and
TO him"
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1907-12-21
nis.rodit.h At Washinnton.

Washington. Dec. 10. - Both the
White House and the navy depart
ment discredlt what purports to be a
wireless message from the battleship
Connecticut to the effect that Presi-
dent Roosevelt had informed Admiral
Evans that the feet would return by
way OF the Suez canal Secretary Loeb
said that no plan FOR the return OF the
feet had yet been formulated.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1907-12-21
NUGGETS OF NEWS

Miss Mary Farley, trained nurse
was killed by an express train at DIX
mont station, near Pittsburg.
Five-year-old Dollie Ricardo fell into
a tub of hot water at her home In
Philadelphia and received burns from
whish she died.
Five young men were seriously In
iured at North Braddock, Pa, when a
bobsled descending a steep grade
crashed into q street car.
More than 100 all-steel passenger
cars will be in use on the Pennsylva.
MIA railroad between Pittsburg and
New York shortly after .an. 1.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1907-12-21

Portsmouth. Va, Dec. 19.-Alexan'
der B. Butt, cashier Of the Peoples
Bank Of Portsmouth. which suspended
Nov. /. and subsequently announced
nm alleged Justification OF books and
misappropriation Of funds by the
cashier. was arrested upon warrant
charging Justification in one count to
the extent Of $4,000. The accused
was admitted to bail in the sum OF
10000.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1907-12-21

New Orleans. Dec. 1e.-Gus Ring
ling. head of the circuit combination
which controls the shows of Ringlini
Brothers. Barnum & Bailey and the
Forepaugh-Sells, died here at sani
tarium. Death was due TO a complica
ton OF diseases. Mr.. Ringing came to
New Orleans about two weeks age
with the hope that the southern ell
mate would benefit him.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1907-12-21
Girl Breaks Jail In Boys Clothes.

st. Louis. Dec 10. - Miss Nellie
James. twenty-five years old, escaped
from jail at Jerseyville by dressing
herself in the clothes OF the sherin's
thirteen.yearold son and walking
quietly away. She was charged with
horse stealing. Being a "trusty.' she
had much liberty about the jail. She
stole the boys clothes whih the sher'
iff's family were at supper. The trous'
ers we're Of knee length. but the wo-
man Is OF slight build. She LETT Mon
day night and has not been caught.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1907-12-21
rirst rraln under Hudson River.

New York, Dec. ia train OF cars
ran under-the Hudson river through
the Christopher street tubes OF the
McAdoo tunnel system from Hoboken
to Manhattan. The train, the first to
make the trip under the big river
consisted of ten cars Of the special
patterns built for quick and fast ser
vice in the new bores.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1907-12-21
apoI.oredy CANDY chemIsts' Treat.

"Polsonco| Landy OHtHI9to 'TVaN'
New York. Dec. IA man rushed
into the office OF Health Commissioner
Darlington with bag Of candy. Il
think it's poisoned" he said 1T made
my children ill.," The commissioner
sent It upstairs to his chemists to
have It tested Next day the citizen re
turned for a report. and Dr. Darlington
sent up to see about It. An assistant
came down, saying: Sorry. but you
didn't send any instructions with the
candy, and as it's about Christmas
time. we thought it was a treat, and
ate it,"
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1907-12-21
Fer Over Sixty Years.

Mrs, Winslow's Soothing Syrup
has been used for over sixty years by
millions of mothers for their children
while teething, with perfect success
It soothes the child, softens the gums;
allays all pains, cures wind collie, and
"a the best remedy for Diarrhoea.
II wifi relieve the poor little sufferer
immediately. Sold by Druggists In
every part OF the world. Twenty
ave cents q bottle. Be sure and ark
for 81 Mrs Windows Soothing
avruf, = AMI take no cfheF
1,:nrentna1 under tia Food ard DroRe
Aef ~ e0ta. 1905 se<'el fanb>F
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1907-12-21
VIII Wcrk Full Time.

Altoona, Pa, Dec. 10. - The 5000
Pennsylvania railroad shopmen IN this
city. whose working time was reduced
from ten to eight hours a day three
weeks ago on account Of tight cur
rency and threatened financial strin
gency, have received orders to return
10 the ten hour a day system.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1907-12-21
Baby His Mothers Own stepbrothe

Baby His Mothers own Stepprotner'
Bucyrus, o., Dec. ia son born
to Mr.. and Mrs. Charles Kuenhle, oil
this place, is his own uncle. The
child's father is also its grandfather
When Kuenhle's first wife-a widow
with several children-died he mar
ried one of her daughters. He is his
wife's stepfather as well as her hus-
band. The new baby is a stepbrother
TO his mothers brothers and sisters,
as well as to her. Kuenhle is the
brother-in-law Of his stepsons and
stepdaughters.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1907-12-21
New York Cows Have Tuberculosis.

Ithaca, N. Y, Dec. ia startling
revelation of the prevalence OF bovine
tuberculosis in Mew York state and
of the insuficiency Of the legal means
for the control of this disease has
been made before the Tompklns
County Medical society by DR.. V. A.
Moore. bacteriologist of Cornell uni
yersity. DR.. Moore claims that of l.
800 600 mich cows In this state 44O,'
600 are infected with tuberculosis.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1907-12-21
Accidentally Killed His Mother

Pittsburg, Dec. 10. - William A.
Schwartz, a policeman, shot and killed
his mother. Mrs. Rachel Schwartz
tixty-onesyears old. and was SO crazed
by the accident that he made several
attempts to end his own life, but was
restrained by relatives. While the po
iiceman was cleaning his revolver II
was accidentally discharged, the bull
let penetrating his mothers head.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1907-12-21
Army Paymaster Killed.

Atlanta, Ca, Dec. 19.-Major Manly
B. Curry, U. s. A., paymaster OF the
department of the gulf, was killed by
being thrown from an automobile
while on his way to the terminal sta
ton to catch a train for Macon. Major
Curry was son-in-law OF United
States Senator Bacon.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1907-12-21

Whirled 10 DeatN IN FHtnS' WIN
Johnstown. Pa. Dec. 10. - Arthur
Stanton. twelve years old, son OF Mr..
and Mrs. Stanton, Of Stanton's Mills,
Somerset county, was caught in a
shaft in his fathers grist mill and al
most instantly killed. His body was
whirled against the floor and ceiling
Of the room and every bone in his
hodv was broken.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1907-12-21
Guarantee.
All of our
LIQUORS

are guaranteed under the
Pure Food Law, and if you
are a Judge OF pure liquors
you Will agree with us rhat
our goods are superior to
Others.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1907-12-21
crnnke channed Hla Name 70 Wed.

Crooke IhdHytu TITS NaH'O -
Brooklyn, Dec. 19.-Because he Is
about to be married and the bride-to
be doesn't like his name, Maxwell
Adolph Crooke has been given per
mission by Judge Fawcett to call him
self Croohe. The name Crooke, said
the petitioner, caused persons with e
disposition to be humorous In theil
own way to ridlcule him.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1907-12-21
gill Mills Resume.

York. Pa, Dec. 19.-The three SIX
mills of the York Silk company In this
city resumed work after a suspension
Of three weeks. More than 500 oper'
atives are affected.