davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-06
THE STOCK MARKET
TRANSACTIONS REDUCED TO ALMOST
 NOMINAL PROPORTIONS.
The Tendency of Prices Gives the Impress stou that Iiquidation Is Stiu Pushed on Favorable Op-
 portunities.

New Ysrk. June 6--The early drop of prices in stocks today served to throw discredit only as upward movement. When this fact had taken hold of miuds of ope- rators they became profoundly distrustful nominal proportions. It taken as a bad sign of the tone of the speculation that the insresss inc % of the diyideEl on Amsrican smet, .n the stock even thoneh the increase had been expected as the fmpelling motive. for tne buying which held the price up yester- impression that liquidation Is still pushed on favorable opportunities. Anotber po- tent factor in the reversal of form was the s"mi-official denial from Washington of tue rumors of proceedings against the Harriman combination of railroads were to be aban- doned for that was the significance given 10 fte formal statement that suit was to bs begun 10 compel MT. HarriIcnr~ to ansv CT questions which he declined to do before the Interstate Commerce Comp .ssion; Tho large proportion of the dealings and tho wider comparative price movements in American Smelling and Union Pacific are very significant of the large part played by these two episodes in shaping the days events.
 The news otherwise did not have an ina- portant bearing on financial conditions and was not of much effect In moving prices Both the wheat and cotton markets show ed the effect of some recurrence Of crop damage to prices in the cousss of the . day reflect a conviction that conditions have been improved recently. both for the wheat and the cotton crop. r-N-
 The contemplation of this fact helped to check the downward movement In stocks
 Engagements of gold for shipments to Paris by tomorrow's steamer amounted to $1.500.o00 bringing the total for the move- ment up to s6.S00.o00 The assertion Of Paris bankeps that the movement was probably approaching its limits was regard ed with some scepticism and Paris. in fact. continued to liquidate securities in the Loa- don market today and that market was disturbed by the prospect of further taktnes of gold for Paris account. Russian polrb' cal prospects were assigned as the cause for the renewed liquidation at Paris. The sat isfaction of the Paris demand for gold. when 1t shall be effected is looked forward to as a probable factor in improving tho financial outlook everywhere The an- nouncement that work on extensions of the Erie system in New York was to be resum- hle index to returning confidence in me amount of capital available for improvement work
 American Car rose further on the strength of the resumption of It's dividend and this had some favorable sympathetic effect on other iron and steel industyials. An effort was made to rally the market by advancing Reading late in the day, but the movement proved abortive and the closing tone easy
 Bonds were irregular. Total sales. par val ue s1.o1o.Ooo. United States bonds were un- changed on call
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-06

Hooking 1.saa Valley 4hs .... .... ......iss
 do. lnd. Series :. ,... .... .... ssE Japan AIS certificates .. - .. e2M
 do. End. Series .,.. .... .... .... 91M Lou & Nash. Unified 4s .... .... ..1Oo Manhattan con. gold 4s .... .... .... es Mexican Central 4s .. .... 77M
 do. 1st Inc.... ........ ...... 19N Minn q St l. Is .......... S Mis-, K. Texas 4s..... .... ...... 94H
 do. Ends .... .... .... .... .... s3 ts Nat R. R. Of N. con. ls .... .... ..... & N. Y. Central gen. Is .... .... .... se E N. Ji Central gen. 6s .... .... .,.,s.123h Northern Pacific As .... .. ..... ..101M Norfolk 6 west. con. 4s .... ... s5K oregon Short Line rfdg. lsi. ,... < ss Penn cv. 3Ms .... .... ..., .. e3 Reading gen. sAs ...... .... 93 Reading gen. 4s .... q. .. ........9 96 z St. L. & I. M. con. 5s .... .... ......t10A St. L. & 8. F. fig. 4s ...... 79h St. L. S'western con. 4s .... ........ 73 Seaboard Air Line 4s ....r.... .... 7lh Southern Pacific As .... ..s. s.A... .. S6h
 do. list. 4s. certificates .... ss& Texas & Pacific 1sts .... u. .... ..112h Toledo. St. L. & w. 4s 7s Union Pacific As .... -... .... ....101A U. S. Steel End 5s .... s5& Wapash lsts ...i .... -..e .... ..ios- Western Md. 4s., .... Is Wheeling l.. Erie As ........ 80 Wisconsin Central 4s .... .... .... ss
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-06
CHICAGO GRAIN AND PRODUCE.

Chicago, Jane 5.--Reports that the recent l frost had caused extensive damage to the l favorable weather conditions and caused the wheat market to close steady. The Sep- tember delivery was unchanged from the final quotation of yesterday. July wheat
 was h c lower. July corn was down k Q %c.
 Oats were hc lower Provisions were 1'sc to loo lower.
 mand which was based upon high prices at
 Liverpool. In the face of yesterdays Sc de- cline on the local board Later however prices declined about 1c because of excel lent weather In this country and Canada
 for the growing crop. The weakness be.
 came more acute as trading progressed and the early quotation The market then IFallied sharply and all Pf the loss was ,,,e. re
 gained The reeoyeE was sruS dnss to so @elaSe ace
 tion by a large number of reports from Kan.
 sas -whicbe declared that the full effect or
 the recent frost is now showing up " 'h0 The foreign situation also influenced the advance The Hungarian crop report esti-
 mated the wheat yield of that @ country @ fnis ,nss year.s crop and a 1osP3sca .rcs. saris
 claimed that a bill has been introduced In
 the French cahmber of deputies , m nemposa- nbaat rily suspendinG the import duty on wheat.
 The market closed steady.
 July opened unchanged to Ac higher at
 s5Sc He ososs to sss wss at ana s5%e September opened a shade to A Q hc higher at 9sc to 9S%c. sold up to 6Shc and then declined to 96hc. Final quotations were at 97 X G9Sc. Ciearances of wheat and flour were equal to 5s3 500 bushels. Primary receipts were 51o. 900. against 216.on0 for the same day last year. Minneapolis, Duluth and Chicago reported
 receipts of 2s5 cars. against 296 last week
 and I'll year ago.
 ing because of firm cables and the initial
 advance in wheat. The slump in wheat. however, caused moderate selling which brought about decline of nearly one cent Part of the loss was later regained on Duy- ing by commission houses and cash inter-
 ests but the market closed easy. Improved weather conditions for the growing crop tended to weaken the market
 July opened unchange dto hc hisher at
 54&c to hc, sold off to 53%c and closed at SAG Hc. Local receipts were s17 cars, with
 232 of contract grade.
 The trade in oats was small and the mar ket was easier because of excellent weath- CT for the new crop and selling by a local bull July opened a shade lower to a shade higher at 49bc to 4sAc, sold off to 4SAc and closed at 494h Local receipts Wero
 83 cars. ,.
 Traders in provisions were bearisn oe-
 cause of the enormous receipts of live hogs at Western packing centers and sold freeIy all day Local packers were credited With numerous sales. At the close July pork was off lOc at s1s.17h. Lard was down
 7Ac at $s o5. Ribs were down 1tsc at
 $S.70. 1.,....
 24 cars; corn SOP cars; oats S2 ears. hoss
 27.00S head.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-06
NEW ORLEANS SPOT COTTON.
NEW ORLEANS COTTON.

New Orleans, June 5.-Spot cotton closed firm and unchanged: middling F 9-16c; sales were 625 bales on the spot and 200 to arrive.
 Cotton futures opened steady from one point net higher to nine points lower. Fol lowing the lead of New York was the ruling force in the New Orleans market today After an early decline prices made wide ad- vances ranging between twenty and thirty points sensational rain news In Tex Although there was tendency in New Orleans to discredit the rain reports nevertheless, this conservative opinion had apparent effect on tho market. The closing was firm, ten to seventeen points above last night.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-06
COTTON MARKET FIRM
LOCAL INVESTORS WATCHING PRICES
 WITH INTEREST.
Bearish Influences Cause Temporary Drop in Quotations, But Close shows
 General Rise all Along the Line.

Local watchers of the cotton market yes to-day were gratified at it's satisfactor >ad- vance during the day The market was steady and firm, notwithstanding the pear ish report sent out Tuesday by the govern ment.
 The local investors were inclined to take the view that the market sustained their position that the crop condition was con siderabIy worse than 1t was pictured In the government report.
 The market opened with October at II 62. Ii was evident that attempts were being made to bear 1t, for 1t sank during the morning to 11.59. But it's healthy tone was shown by an immediate rise ana when
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-06
SCARCITY OF LAMBS.

New York June 5.--Retail butchers about town are complaining of the great scarcity of lambs and mutton and declare that If the prices keep rising they will not handle any lamb whatever
 Within the last three weeks the wholesale price of lamb went from 13c to 16c per pound The pricA of poultry also advanc- ed while the market price of choice beef was cent higher than had been the case week ago.
 In some sections of New York yesterday lamb chops were 2S to 30 cents a pound at retail.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-06
MARKET FOR COTTON
u1HAKP ADVANCE WITH THE CLOSE FIRM.
Xhe Opening Was Steady at a Decline of Ten to Thirteen Points Under Slightly Disappointing lSft Cables.

New York. June 5.-The cotton market was lower early today but had sharp ad- vance later and closed firm at a net ad- vance of 10@14 points. Sales for the day were estimated at 100000 bales.
 R The opening was steady at decline of cables. favorable weather reports, liquid ation and selling by some of the local bears There was good buying at the decline by old longs who had taken profits on their lines last week and the market ste1died snp during the early session to within two or three points of last nights close. The fore cast for cloudy and showery weather in the Western belt was said to be just what wss needed by the crop to prevent damage from weakened again before midday under renew ed liquidation with prices selling off to Il net loss of 15Ml6 points CD the active months. The market was stead'ed by cov- ering and buying by big spot people around this level and later in the afternoon had Q very good advance aggressive bull sup- port and sensationally bullish crop reports be raining very heavily in some eections with many fields flooded. The rally car yfed prices about 2s to 30 points above the top level of the forenoon and the close was within a point two of the top. There was nothing in the official weather reports to confirm the private reports of damaging conditions in the Western belt Southern spot markets were generally firm and un- changed.
 Receipts at the ports today 6,s62 baies against 9,907 last week and s,57s last year For the week 35,0o0 bales, against 62,7So last week and 55,470 last year.
 Today,s receipts at New Orleans 2,Ios bales against 2,663 last year and at Hous- ton 629 bales. against 1.911 last year.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-06

II. s2 Decembers opened at 11.60 and clos ed at II. 90. Julys opened at ll.40 and closed fat II 63: The result of the day was a steady rise all along the line.
 The cotton quotations are just now arous- ing keen interest. The New York buyers and sellers appear to be realizing the true condition of the cotton crop. The Southern investors are largely bulls fecause they know that the weather for the crop has been most unfavorabla.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-06
THE METAL MARKET.

New York. June 5.-The London tin mar ket was higher; spot flS7 and futures f1S4 Locally the market was steady spot $41. 35 @s41.65.
 Copper was higher in London; spot f94 2s Cd an dfutures f95 2s Sd, Locally the mar ket was dull and unchanged.
 Lead was unchanged both in London and here
 spelter was higher at f24 los in London and higher at s6 40 c $6 50 locally
 Iron higher in the English market with standard foundry quoted at eos Sd {; and Cleveland warrants eos 6d. Locally the market was unchanged.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-06
NAVAL STORES.

Wilmington, June 5.--Spirits turpentine. nothing doing; receipts 30 casks.
 Rosin quiet s4 co; receipts l97.
 Tar firm $2 40. receipts SC.
 Crude turpentinc firm 50. s4.75 and savannah. June 5-Turpentine steady 57%c; sales 6S9; receipts S73; shipmeuE 160.
 shipments 5,41O; stock 44.365. Quote: ARC s4 %; D S485; E $t.55 F $4.7a: c s4.so. II s4 s5: I s %; K $50; M $5.75: N SC OO. WIG $6l0: wv S6.lh.
 Charleston, June 5.-Turpentine and rosIn nothing doing.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-06
IRON AGE REVIEW.

New York, June 5.-The Iron; Age will say tomorrow:
 The pig iron markets throughout the country have been very quiet. The fur naces are sold far ahead and show little delivery. while many buyers have little confidence in the market in view of the
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-06
NEW YORK DRY GOODS.

New York, June 5.-The dry goods mar ket was strong in the cottoS goods market today Rettailers had another fair days trade as compared with some of the days of last week Mems wear lines for spring are being bought conservatively. Knit goods and underwear for spring 1908 are now open at an advance of about 15 per cent. over the prices of last year. Black taffeta silks are selling well.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-06

St. Louis, June 5.-Flour dull. Whiskey $1.35. S'f ! Iron cotton ties $1. .09.
 Pork steady; jobbing $16 20.
 Lard lower; prime steam sS. 5s.
 Dry salt meats lower; boxed extra shorts and clear ribs s9.S71k short clearft So. 75. Bacon lower; boxed extra shorts and clear rihs $10.25 short clears $10. 2A.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-06
CINCINNATI PRODUCE.

Cincinnati, June 5.-Flour firm. Wheat, easy. s1.00. Corn steady 56D i3c. Oats firm 4S1s q 49c. Rye quiet S24S3c. Provisions steady. Whiskey steady Sl.31-
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-06
Inferinr Mnxement.

Houston-Steady, 12%c; net receipts 629; gross receipts s29: shipments SAG: stock 27,- g9s.
 Augusta-steady. 12%c; net receipts s?s: gross receipts 329; shipments Is: sales 40; stock IT, 363.
 Memphis-steady 12hc; net receipts s94: gross receipts 9T6; shipments 2.401; sales $50; stock 9e.017.
 st. Louis-ouiet. 12ho: net receipts 4eo' gross receipts l.e77; shipments 1,S4S; stock 2S,17S.
 Cineinnati-Net receipts 1s7; gross re- ceipts 1sf; shipments 57s; stock S,2ol.
 I.ouIsville-Stendy, 12hc.
 Total today--Net receipts 1.968: gross re- ceipts 3.1ss; shipments 5.1ss; sales 4So: stock 177.267.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-06
NEW ORLEANS SUGAR MARKET.

New Orleans. June 5.-Sugar steady; open kettle centrifugal SlA AQ3%c; centrifugal whites none: centrifugal yellow 3A Q4Ac: seconds 2& Q3&e.
 Moiasses quiet; syrup new. 3o@S4c.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-06
TREAsURY BALANCES.

Washington, June S.-Today's treasury balances, exclusive of the gold reserves, show
 Available cash balance .... e69067, 164 Gold coin and bullion .... SS,5S1,6S6
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-06
MINING IS YOUNG

It Is a surprise to those who havo not studied the matter. that the min ing of gold, silver and copper In this country on anything like large scale has all been done within the last thirty years. while the increase within the last decade has been little short of marvellous.
 For example, the copper mines of Arizona and MoTtana which produced more than $11O.0O0,OO0 last year have practically all been deveIoped stnco 1880, while the copper mines of Michi- gan which produced another $44.O0O.- 900 last year are very little older. The Cripple Creek Cold district was opened as late as the sos.
 On the other hand. the sale of good mining states in this section of the South was hardly known three years ago, and while our fellow countrymen in the North and West have been mak- Ing their millions In mining, we of the South have remained poor and won dered how they did it.
 Today conditions are changed, and opportunity Is knocking at your door and reminding you of the fact you can't get rich by sitting idle and watching the other fellow do it.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-06
NAVAL STORES REyIsW,

Savannah, June 5-(Special With a general lack of foreign demand. and with the receipts showing in heavier volume, spirits of turpcntine in the past week con tinued on the downward trend. and at the
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-06
NEW WORK cOFFEE MAnKrr.

New York. June 5.-Coffee futures open ed steady at unchanged prices to an ad- vance of five points and closed steady net unchanged to five points higher. Sales Ss.75O bags.
 July ........ .,.@ .... .b.4S September 'ss. s.'. ''.''s0 4V Wo 20 December e.. .... .......5 40 G .46 March .... s..' ''''o. oVQo. So May Q. 90
 Spot coffe quiet; Rio No. CSC; Santos No. I 7hc; mild coffee dull: cordova 9Q 12Ac.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-06
NEW ORLEANS CorroN FuTuREs.

New Orleans, June h.-Cotton futures on the New Orleans Cotton Exctange today closed firm, with quotations ranging as fol-
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-06
WEATHER CONDITIONS AND GENERAL
 FORECAST

FORECAST.
 The weather is generally fair. Except Tn the lower Lake region, where a storm that has moved across the country in a northeasterly direction from Texas is pro- ducing some cloudiness and rain.) Showers in the cotton states during the li.st twenty four hours have been light and scattered. The temperature has risen slightly through out the gulf states.
 An area of moderately high pressuta cov- CTS the Missouri valley. IL will dominate the next thirty-six hours and faiS weather may be expected tonight and Thursday: the temperature will be somewhat lower in northern Alabama tonight.
 COTTON REGION BULLETIN.
 Montgomery. Alabama. for the .4 hours ending at g. A. N. 18th Meridian tima-
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-06
SIT. InIrIS PRODUCE,

New York June 5.-Sugar raw steady: fair refining 3 .34: centrifugal 96-test 2.S4: molasses sugar 3.09; refined steady.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-06
LOCAL COTTON MARKAT. Spot cotton in the Montgomery market .oflszv vxaa uu0ted d follows:
DAILY CoT,roN MARKET.
Port Movement.


 Gaiveston-steady. 12%c; not receipts I.- 174; gross receipts 1,174; stock 59,2i5: ship ments 10 Great Britain 2,Sv4: coastwise s,- 420.
 New Orleans-Firm. 12 s-1ec: net reeeipts 1z6; gross receipts 176: sales S25; stock 1eI1a shipments coastwise i0l.
 Mobiie-Firm, 12c; net receipts 2,7vs; gross receipts 2.7o6; stock 1o.iT6; shipments coastwise 1,537.
 Savannah-Nom, 12%c; net receipts a,- 644: gross receipts 1,b44: sales so; stock 25.6a7: shipments to continent 1866: coast wise n.
 Charieston-Nom.. sales 52; stock 6.623.
 Wiimington--Steady, 13hc; net receipts 154: gross receipts 154; stock 10.32s: ship ments coastwise 953.
 Norfolk-Firm, 13Ac; net receipts 9O6; gross receipts 906. stock z4.91S.
 Baltimore-Nom., 13hc; gross receipts 4s0; stock 7,537.
 New York-steady, 12.so; gross receipts 2793: sales 100; stock 1S0;6ss: shipments to Great Britain 800; to continent 22n.
 Roston-Steady, 12.9o; net receipts 12s; gross receipts 2.37l.
 Tz: gross receipts ls6: stock 1,l24.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-06
Total Movement.

Total today at all ports net 6.96e; ship ments to Great Britain 3,lS4; to continent G.os6 stock 436.121
 Consolidated at all ports net 19, s21; ship ments to Great Britain 32.iSS; to continent 22.b96: to Japan 165.
 Total since Sept l, at all ports net 9.660.- 821; shipments to Great Britain 3.645, 54? i, to France Ss0,916; to continent 3,2sS.09a to Japan 225.4OA.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-06

New York. June 5.-Cotton futures nr the New York Cotton Exchange today clos
 ed firm. with quotations ranging as fol-
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-06
LIVERPOOL COTTON FUTURES.
MEMPHIS COTTON OIL.

Memphis June 5.-Cotton seed oil; prime crude 43c; Schoice meal SPA.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-06
NEM YORK BONDS.

U. "efunding 2s, registered .... ..104h U. $. Ss. registered .... .... ....102 - uo. coupon '.-. ,.... 'lOZ '. S Old As, registered .... ....,. 9o%
 do- coupon ... 100 74 T. $, New is registered .... .... ,las
 uN coupon .... ......l29 American Tobacco 4ss.... .... .... .. 72lS
 q" 6s .... .... .... .,...,1O5 is AtChlSon gen Is .... 9S
 dn. adjustment 4s .,.. .. .. ..,. 20 F Atlantic Coast Line 4s .... .... co. 95 Baltimore Ohio 4s .... .... ...... 9S% 1,..1il,, dG, . '2s ,r ..'. .. '''''' ''.. g. Central of Georgia 5s .... ....... lR4
 dn lSt Inc .... S5 E
 I's -hu- Inc '..- ''.. .''' 1O
 TO- 5rd Inc '..' ...... 5a Chicago & Alton SHe 6G q. B. o. new As .... .... ...... 9s C. R. I. X Pacific R. R. As .... ,... S1 C. C. c. " < st, I L. gen. 4s .... '''' .. sS Col Industrial 5s Ser A. ...... so Col. Midland Is ... .... .... ...... as Col. Southern As .... ........ S9 E Cuba 6s ?. .... ...... .... ... ..1O9 1a Denver & R Grande 4s .. .... ...... 9s Distillers Sec. 5s .... .... .... ssA Erie prior lien 4s .... ..,. ..sr.. 92ts Erie gen. As ,.'. s''a ''.. AA SoS
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-06
REMARKS.

T-Indicates inappreciable rainfall '-For yesterday For A hours ending am. 18th meridian time.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-06
NEW YORK COTTON FUTUREs

NEW ORLEANS COTTON OIL. New Orleans. June 5.-Cottou seed oil prime s4c: crude
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-06

REMARKS.
 Rains were light and scattefed, the tenn perature Is slightly higher.
 NOTE-The average maximum and min tmum temperatures and the average rainfall are made up at each center from the actual number of reports received. The state of weather" Is that prevailing at the time sf observation
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-06
Sales High Low. lciose.

NEW YORK CLOSING STOCK LIST.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-06

For I2 hours ending I am x-Received too late to be included tn
 district RveraRaa. DISTRICT AvERAGEA
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-06
s-RisinE. x-Fallins.

RIVER FORECAST.
 tFor Next Two Days.) The Coosa and the Alabama will fall slowly.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-06
KANSAS CITY LIVE STOCK.

Kansas City. June 5-Cattle receipts B. b. Market strong hoire evnnrt and dressed
The Washington herald., 1907-01-10
Tn NEED OF Cash
Relief Work Greatly Hampered by
Lack Of Funds.
Finance Committee Makes Earnest
All Charftably Inclined.

At the meeting Of the board Of mana
gers Of the Associated Charities, Tues
day, the principal subject discussed was
the finance question. Col Archibald Hop
kins. chairman Of the finance COMMITTEES.
reported that the association has re-
ceived from July I, 1896, to January 8.
1907, inclusive, s5,725.27. and as the total
requirements for the year are something
over $4,000, about $1,000 still remains to
be secured by voluntary contributions.
Col. Hopkins reported that the finance
committee is making earnest appeals to
all who have supported the work in the
past and 10 possible new subscribers.
Prof. B. T. Janney, chairman of the
board of managers, announced the ap-
pOintment of the standing committees for
the year
The board received a report from the
American Audit Company, which has just
completed its audit OF all the financial
accounts OF the society. Secretary Wei
Ter reviewed the work Of the past month
OF which the following are some of the
striking features: Applications received.
l.709, including 193 from private indiyid-
uals. o. from Salvation Army , from
school teachers. 10 from nurses; 80
from free medical dlspensaries and j.
from churches The total number Of
needy families dealt with during the
month was 1,o51 There are now on file
is. .426 case records. Material relief was
administered 9Sl times.
The board members in attendance al
the meeting were. Judge William H. De
Lacy, Dr. George NJ KOber, DR. SOhe A.
Nordhof- Jung. Miss Helen Nicolay, Cob
Archibald Hopkins, Frederic l.. Moore,
Prof. 3. T. Janney. George 5. Wilson.
Harry q. Meem, representing John JOY
Edison, and Secretary Charles F. Weller