davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1908-12-22
MOTHER FATALLY BURNED
WHILE FONDLING BABY

San Francisco. Dec. 22.-Wile Mrs.
Julia Laventhan was fondling her
four-months-old daughter, Irma, to-
day in her apartments, her dress
caught fire from an open fire in the
room. Before her screams attracted
neighbors, the woman received burns
from which it is feared she will die.
The baby was rescued from a blazing
bed on which the mother threw her.
The husband is racing back from Los
Angeles
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1908-12-22
DEATH LURKEO IN
FROZEN POTATOES
HaIf-Starved Body OF Little
Leonard Brokaw Could Not
Throw Off the Poison.
PARENTS SPURN FOOD
SENT IN BY NEIGHBORS

Single T'axer and His Wife Stick 10
Their Diet and PartalSe of Meal
Consisting of Crackers, Peanut But
ter and Poor Substitutes for Cruel
Meat, Eggs. Milk and Various
Other Kinds of Food Which Have
Been rendered Come Under SELF
Imposed Ban and Are Declined.
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1908-12-22
ROTTEN BEEF WAS
SERVED AT LAUNCHING

Vallejo, Calf, Dec. 22.-George
Wildahon, the marine hospital ste
ward has completed his bacteriolo-
gical examination of the beef served
at the launching of the collier Prone
theus. which caused the death of Mrs.
Rose and a waiter Wildahon found
germs common in decayed meat, The
testimony is to be used at the inquest
over the waiter tomorrow.
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1908-12-22
NANDALS DESPERATE
SAN FRANCISCO CHURCH

San Francisco. Cal, Dec. 22-The
police are looking for the vandals
who desetrated St Dominic's church
yesterday. Priestly vestments worth
hundreds of dollars were slashed into
shreds. The altar linen and laces
were defiled, the sacred candles toss
ed about and the furnishings of the
secretary destroyed. Vile obscenities
were scrawled on the walls.
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1908-12-22
FARMERS REJOICE At FALL Of SNOW

Much to the delight of the farmers
Of Umatilla county as well as to the
youngsters, the first real snow of the
season is falling today Pendleton
awoke this morning to find the
ground almost or quite covered with
a mantle of "the beautiful" The
ground being frozen and the temper
ature well below the freezing point It
all remained on and more began fall
ing few minutes before noon.
While the cold snap of the past
few days has done no injury what
ever to the grain, as yet, a protecting
mantle OF snow will take a load Of an
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1908-12-22
HAMS BROTHERS FIRST
ADMITTED JOINT GUILT

Flushing, l.. l., Dec. 22.-Merrill
Downs. a member of the Baysido
Yacht club, where Captain Peter Hains
shot and killed William Annis, for
participation in which attack Thorn
ton Hams is on trial, was placed on
the stand by the prosecution today. He
said when he was attracted to the
yacht club pier he asked who was re-
sponsible for the shooting. He testi-
fled that the defendant replied: I'VE
are the men,"
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1908-12-22

xiety from the shoulders of the grow
ers of wheat. 1t will not only afford
protection from possible damaging
frosts but will also furnish the much
desired moisture.
Reports from every part of the
county indicate that the fall sown
grain never looked better at this time
of the year and heavy fail of snow
to remain on for several days would
go far toward insuring a record
breaking crop for next year.
Reports from Athena, Weston and
Pilot Rock indicate that the snowfall
Is much heavier in those sections than
II IL In Pendleton.
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1908-12-22
MURDERER Is SENTENCED
TO BE HANGED

Portland, Ore, Dec. 22.-Harly
DAILY who killed Harry Kenny the
night of November 16, was today SEN
fenced to hang by Judge DAILY. He
killed Kenny, his former employer, in
saloon. when the latter refused to
give him a job as bartender.
When asked if he had anything to
say he replied he was innocent and
would rather die than spend the rest
of his life in prison.
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1908-12-22
Upton ORDERS PLANS
FOR YACHT BURNED

Glasgow, Scotland, Dec. 22.--Thos.
J. L,pion announced today that he
will not challenge the holders of IL"
American cup because they are un-
able to agree with the New York
Yacht club on the conditions of the
race, The designer of the 1909 model
has been ordered to burn all plans of
the challenging yacht drawn for Lip
ton
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1908-12-22
TAFTS COUSIN LOST
WHILE OUT HUNTING

Berkeley, Cal, Dec. 22.-Dr. Fred
erick ID. Taft, third cousin of the
president-elect, has not returned from
hunting trip on which he was ac-
companied by Walter J. Watson.
They had been gone since Friday. 1t
was feared they had met with some
accident In one Of the sloughs Of the
san Joaquin river where they went
in a small boat. Taft is a dentist in
Oakland.
Taft and Watson returned this
morning. telling a story Of an acci-
dent to a launch in "A slough.
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1908-12-22
CRISIS Is PASSED
IN MINERS UNION

Indianapolis. Ind. Dec. 22.-In n
statement mailed today to every local
organization of the United Mine
Workers of America, President Lewis
says the crisis in the affairs of the
organization has passed. He pleads
for an abandonment of petty dis
putes.
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1908-12-22
Indians Body Found.

Belingham, Wash. Dec. pa
dispatch from Sedro-Wooley says that
the dead body of Jim Aleck an Indian
living at Marble Mount, Skagit coun-
ty, was found yesterday. The Indian
was murdered Sunday night The cor
oner and sheriff of Skagit county are
on the way from Mount Vernon to in
vestigate the crime.
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1908-12-22
FAMOUS GIISEY HOUSE
ON BROADWAY BURNS

New York. Dec 22.-The famous
Gilsey house on Broadway and 29th
street, caught fire early today. All
the guests escaped in safety. The
hotel was for years the rendezvous
for democratic politicians.
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1908-12-22
Big Russian Loan.

Paris, Dec. 22.-At a meeting to-
day between French financiers and
representatives of the St. Petersburg
government, it is thought arrange
ments will be completed for a big
Russian loan. The bonds will bear
4ia per cent. and will be issued in
about a month.
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1908-12-22

No steps have yet been taken to-
wards purchasing the furniture for
the library nor towards moving it to
the city hall. Nothing along this line
will be done until the library commits
sion has been named by the mayor
and council. Under the terms of the
state library law the mayor of the city
has the appointment of the library
commission.
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1908-12-22
ANOTHER HUNTER
ACCIDENTALLY KILLED

Spokane, Wash, Dec. 22.-Allen p.
Gill, the well known Spokane con-
tractor, was found dead last night
near Mosh lake, Douglas county. He
was hunting and it is supposed he
was accidentally shot.
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1908-12-22
NEW STAR IN
FIGHTING WORLD
Sam Langford, the CoIored
Fighting Machine, Makes
Short Work Of Jim Flynn.
BELIEVED THAT SUCCESSOR
TO KETCHELL Is FOUND

San Francisco Sports Declare That
Present Holder Of Worlds Middle
Weight Championship VIII Stand
No Show Before the Newest Ar
rival i'm the Boxing Realm-E1ynn
Lasted But Two Minutes and Then
Did Not Know What Hit Him When
lie Came to Himself Several Min
utes Later.
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1908-12-22
FRANK CHANCE To
BE AN OUTLAW?
Sensation Created in Baseball
World by Announcement
From Fresno, California.
SAID THAT GREAT CHICAGO
CAPTAIN Is COMING WEST

Director of Fresno Team Declares
That Man Who Has Led Chicago
Cubs TO Worlds Championship for
Two Consecutive Seasons Has Come
to Align Himself With the Outlaw
League and Will Probably Help
Boost San Francisco Team Into tire
Uimelight of Success.
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1908-12-22
Earthquake i'm Montana

Virginia City, Mont, Dec. 22.-Six
earthquake shocks within the course
of "a hours threw the people here in
to a panic, causing them to rush forth
into the street. The last shock was
at 6:25 last evening.
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1908-12-22

Rochester, n. Y, Dec, 22.-BishOp
Bernard ]. Mcuaid of the diocese of
Rochester. may not live through the
night. Bishop McQuaid, who cele-
brated his S5th birthday last week,
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1908-12-22
BRITISH STEAMER is
WRECKED: SEVEN DROWNED

CuXhaven, Germany, Dec. ga
British cotton steamer was wrecked to-
day on Point Mizzenhead The cap
tain and six men were drowned.
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1908-12-22
Chance Denies Report.

Fresno, Calf, Dec, 22.-Chance to-
day denied he was going into the out
law organization.
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1908-12-22

Olen Arnspiger. the well known
University of oregon student. has left
for Baker City where he will visit
during the holidays.
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1908-12-22
LIBRARY FUND
STILL GROWING
Ladies Secure More Money
for Library, But Lists Are
Still Open.
JUDGE FEE GIVES 500
local ELKS $50

Ladies Wish TO Secure Enough Mon
,ey TO Finance Library for II Year
City's Aid Nj Yet securcd-Library
Association Would Avoid Subscrip-
ton Work In the Future-Nothing
Done Yet Towards Moving Library
Library 10 BE Named by the
Mayor.
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1908-01-28
KEEP STAMPS ON HAND
ADVICE GIVEN PATRONS OF RUR.
Al ROUTES TO FACILITATE
WORK OF CARRIERS.

Owing to complaint frequently made
by mail carriers on the rural routes
regarding the practices of some pat
rons dropping coins in the boxes to be
applied on unStamped letters. POST
master Brunton has given the matter
his attention, and has furnished the
following interview for the benefit of
those who do not keep a supply of
stamps on hand but drop their pen
nies in the mail box for the carriers
to hunt for:
THE postmaster desires to call at
tention to the practice of some pat
rons of rural delivery of placing loose
coins in their boxes each time they
desire to dispatch letters instead of
supplying themselves with postage in
advance of their needs
This practice imposes undue hard
ship on the rural carriers in removing
loose coins from boxes and delays
them on the service of their routes.
'The postmaster. therefore. urgently
requests that patrons of rural de-
livery provide themselves and keep on
hand supply of stamps consistent
with and in advance of their needs. 1t
is also desirable that rural patrons
place in their boxes small detachable
cups of wood or tin in which to place
coins, when necessary, in purchasing
supplies of stamps"
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1908-01-28
MANY STUDENTS ENROLLED
SECOND SEMESTER OF HIGH
SCHOOL OPENS WITH 351
MEMBERS.

With q total enrolment of 351 stu
dents, the second semester of the high
school opened yesterday, the enroll
ment showing an increase of thirty
students over the first semester of the
year, and marking a record breaker
for the institution.
But few students who entered the
school at the opening of the year have
dropped out, contagious diseases hav-
ing been reduced to the minimum. thus
doing away with much of the irregular
attendance no noticeable during past
years. The bi-annual reports, now be-
ing prepared show the institution to be
in better condition than ever before in
its history, both as to attendance and
quality of work being done. Debate and
indoor athletics have been attracting
much attention of students, and a high
degree of proficiency has been reached
in these lines, showing in an indirect
way that the standard of the high
school has reached higher plane than
formerly.
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1908-01-28
HOLD CATTLE FOR RISE.
Umat'lls. Feeders Await $3.50 Before
letting Go of Stock.

PENDLETON, Or, Jan. S.-Umatilla
county cattle feeders are now holding
their cattle for $3.50 per 100 pounds
on foot and there is every prospect
they will receive this price by Febru-
airy l. Cattle buyers are now Offering
$4.25. About 1000 steers are being fed
on Mckay and Birch creeks, tribu-
tary to this city, and there is no dispo-
sition On the part of any of the feed
ers to sell until they can get $3.50 per
hundred.
The COWS and the culls have been
sold off largely and nothing but prime
steers are being fed and the feeders
believe that buyers will come to their
prices within few weeks. There is
shortage of fat cattle in the northwest
and Umatilla county. being one of the
chief feeding centers, will furnish
large part of the spring supply Of
steers and many feeders expect to re-
ceive SIS per 100 by March l.
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1908-01-28
wa-1 New Fruit Law.

Resolutions asking that the repre-
sentative legislature shoul2 craft 1
law that will prove to be constitutional
in place of the Paulhamus act. which
has been declared class legislation,
have been adopted by the Yakima
County Horticultural union. The union
asks that q law placing the sale and
packing of fruits under the supervis-
ion of the state be enacted. They de-
clare themselves to be opposed to al
lowing any inferior grades of fruit to
be sold and that in this they are trying
to hold the quality of the fruit up to
the standard. They realize that i'm
proper packing, or in other words.
crooked packing. is detriment not
only to the individual packing it, but
to every fruitgrower in the state, and
TO the state as whole.
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1908-01-28
ATTORNEY MOORE
R0ASTS LANGD0N
FAILURE OF DISTRICT ATTORNEY
TO SET CALHOUN'S CASE
CAUSES RUCTlON.

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 2S.-District
Attorney Langdon was given terri
fic scoring today by a. A. Moore. at
torney for Patrick Calhoun of the
United Railroads, because of the fail
ure of I.angdon to -et Calhoun's case
for trial.
He accused LangdOn of breaking
faith with him in delaying the trial
and said that the Ruef trial was mere
ly club to hold over Calhoun and
delay the magnate's trial.
Langdon's face flushed with anger
but he said nothing in reply save to
denv Moores charges.
Calhoun was in the court room dur
ing Moore's speech. Ruef was given
a continuance until Thursday in or
der to await the arrival of Attorney
Ach from Los Angeles.
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1908-01-28
WOMAN PLEADS NOT
GUILTY TO MURDER.

ELLENSBURG. Jan. 2S-Mrs. ].
Norris. who murdered her foster son,
Thomas Murray, wasA taken before
Judge Kaufman. of the superior court
Saturday morning and entered a plea
of not guilty to the information filed
against her, charging murder in the
first degree with generalization and de-
liberation.
Without show Of emotion Mrs. Nor
ris listened TO the reading Of the infor-
nation by Prosecuting Attorney Ho-
vey. and when asked by the court what
her plea would be, she arose, support
ed by her husband, and replied: Il am
not guilty. Judge" Her attorney, E. f.
Wager then entered a plea of mot
guilty by reason of insanity and men,
tai responsibility
The court set the date of the trial
of the case Thursday. January 30.
Mrs Norris was remanded to the
custody of the sheriff.
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1908-01-28
YOUNG MAN LOSES FOOTING
PLUNGES TO DEATH

ABERDEEN, Jan. 2S.-A. G. Liling,
a Young man "a years of age who was
among the crew engaged in tearing
down the old wooden Northern Paci-
fic bridge. across Wishka river lost
his footing while on top of the frame
work of the structure and plunged
headlong into the water, striking his
head on a boom stick. as he went down.
His brother, who was working beside
him. .risked his life by jumping into
the water to his assistance. but with
out avail. BY means Of graphing
when it was found that death was due
to the blow on the head. A sister
lives in Tacoma. The body was ship
ped there this afternoon.
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1908-01-28
MOUNTAIN SPOUTS STEAM.
Lsborers Employed On Milwaukee Near
White Bluff Fear for Lives.

WHITE BLUFFS. Wash, Jan. 2S.-
one of the Strangest experiences en-
couGtered by the civil engineers in the
employ of the Milwaukee railway, now
extending through this section, has
been met on the north side of Saddle
mountain. north of this place. For sew
raj days blasting crews have been at
work in rock cuts and all reported
steam issuing from crevices in the
rocks where heavy blasting was done.
Little attention was paid to the steam
by the worFmen until they learned that
warm springs exist on the south side
Of the mountain, opposite the points
At which they are now employed. AS
soon as the foreigners heard of the
trpid springs on the other side of the
hills, dozens of them deserted the
camps, declaring there was grave
danger of a volcanic eruption at any
time
Scientific men visited the scene last
week ana made minute Investigations.
Interviewed after their visit TO the 10
'allty they refused TO venture an opln-
ION. as to the possible connection OF
Ihe steam in the rocks and the warm
springs on the opposite side of the
mountains.
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1908-01-28
slNGER HERMAN CASE NEXT
Doubtful, However, When Ex-Con-
qressman Will be Brought to Trial

PORTLAND, Jan. 2S.-1n the Mays
case which will probably close Friday.
another postponement in the land
fraud case is expected. Judge Hunt
announced that conference between
Heney, Becker and himself on the
subject would soon occur.
Heney wishes to get to San Fran
cisco and Judge Hunt desires to re-
turn to Montana. Attorney Becker
has been here but a short time and
would like more time to become fami-
liar with the Oregon proceedings.
The next case on the docket is the
Hermann land fraud Indictment. Her.
mann's attorneys are in Washington
at present and might not be able to
reach this coast within the next 10
Following Mays. Heney attempted
to put Henry Meldrum on the stand
but owing to the fact that Meldrum
is now a convicted felOn and serving
a sentence for land frauding his ele-
gibility as a witness was objected to
and Hunt took the matter under ad.
visement.
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1908-01-28
MAYS SET FREE
BY JUDGE HUNT
GOVERNMENT CANNOT CONNECT
HIM WITH LAND FRAUD
CASES.

PORTLAND, Jan. 2S.-Edwin NJ.
Mays, co-defendant with John Hall,
and on trial with Hall at this time,
charged with conspiracy with Hall and
certain officers of the Butte Creek
Land and Livestock company, to de-
feat justice and defraud the govern
ment of its public domain. was dis
charged this morning by Judge Hunt
ON a motion made by Attorney Wilson,
Mays attorney. on the grounds that no
evidence had been submitted by the
government which tended TO connect
Mays with the alleged conspiracy as
charged in the indictment.
Heney opened the mornings session
bv asking Judge Hunt to instruct the
Jury to find Mays not guilty as the
government had been unable TO con-
meet him with the charges filed against
him.
Attorney Wilson then amended He
news motion by asking Hunt to dis
cbarpe the defendant. This was done.
This afternoon Attorney Webster 1or
Hall will argue a motion dlrectiiie
Judge Hunt to instruct the jury to
bring in verdict of acquittai III
Halls case on the grounds that no eN-
jidence had been introduced showing
that Hall was guilty of any of the ac's
charged. Heney will contest TINS mo-
fiop
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1908-01-28
HEATS COMB OVER n LAMP
SETS HOUSE ON FIRE.

BELLINGHAM, Jan. 2S.-The res
idence of Roy Manley at Lake Samis5
was entirely destroyed by fire Sunday
night. The fire started by one of the
children heating a celluoid comb over
lamp. The comb ignited as if made
of powder and in an effort to cx-
tinguish the blazing celluloid with a
towel. Mrs. Manley knocked over the
lamp. which exploded, throwing burn
ing oil over the ROOM The flames rap
idly ignited the woodwork and before
Mr. Manley could get anything out of
the house. il was a mass of flames
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1908-01-28
SUSPECTED PULLMAN
PORTER ARRESTED.

ROSEBURG. Or, Jan. 2S.-The ne
gro porter VINO is alleged to have
robbed the dining car conductor on
south-bound passenger train NO. 10,
shortly after leaving Roseburg, Satur-
day morning. was captured at West
Fork by Constable Nelse Jones of that
place and brought to Roseburg yesteE-
day morning and lodged in the county
Jail to await his trial. which will be
held in the justice court as soon as
here. He had the full amount of money
that the conductor claims to have lost.
$3.50. and several dollars over.
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1908-01-28
A. ]. HOOPER IS DEAD
WELL KNOWN ADAMS COUNTY
FARMER sUccUMss TO cE-
REBRAL HEMORRHAGE.

Following a two weeks illness
Hooper, a we'll known farmer of
Adams county, died last night at 10
o'clock at the home of his daughter,
Mrs. Grant Copeland. 220 Newell
street, at the age of 81 years.
A wife, four daughters and three
sons. all of whom We're at the bed
side when death occurred, are left to
mourn Mr.. HOoper's death. They are:
Mrs. E. A. Taylor, of Hooper; Mrs.
Grant Copeland, of this city; Mrs.
Frank Dickson, of Tacoma; Mrs. j. A.
Dickson, of Tacoma; A. E. Hooper, of
Hooper, and Raymond and Walter
Hooper, also of Hooper.
Mr.. Hooper has been a resident of
this section for many years past. and
become one of the leading wheat
farmers of Adams county. where he
had accumulated much valuable wheat
land. He has host of friends in Walla
Walla, where the family are well
known.
The funeral will be held from the
home of Mr.. anu Mrs. Copeland tomor-
row afternoon at $50 o'clock, Rev. An
dreas Bard, of ST. Paul's Episcopal
church. officiating. Members of Walla
Walla Commandery, No. l, Knights
Templar. of which Mr.. Hooper was
member will attend the services in a
body. and will take charge of the SER
vices at the grave. Interment will be
in the Masonic cemetery.
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1908-01-28
BIG TONNAGE PER ACRE.
Seventy Three Tons of Potatoes Are
Raised on Three Acres.

YAKIMA. Jan. 2S.-Everett CleVe-
land who raised 80 acres of potatoes
last year in the Lower Naches valley,
harvested such an excellent yield from
The tract that he concluded to meas
ure the tonnage per acre on three
acres If the field, so he could answer
the many questions asked him about
haW much he made per acre.
The three acres measured yielded
- u tons Of spuds. That product
brought him. gross, $1155 in cash. That
is $3.50 an acre for the yield.
The total cost of producing these
potatoes from the time of planting un-
til they were in the sack, was, at IS
ton 1867 so. leaving a total for the
three acres of $7S7.50, or $262.50 per
acre net.
Some farmers may beat that on a
small patch near the barn, but, when
it comes to covering a whole farm with
such a yield of potatoes, the neighbors
who do it are a long way apart.
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1908-01-28
To LEAD
DEMOCRATS
Cleveland and Parker Vino
Fails 10 Stop NebPaskan

WASHINGTON. Jan. 2S.-The end
Of the fight agains. the nomination of
Bryan ny democrats representing the
old Cleveland and Parker wing of the
party as generally supposed, was
reached yesterday when a delegation
of democrats headed by Col. Harvey
editor of Harpers magazine. came to
Washington to confer with him in re
gard to his withdrawing from the race.
They failed to convince the Nebras-
kan that he was not the most avail
able timber in the party.
Following the meeting Col. Harvey
admitted defeat.
1--WE lost out" he said. Bryan is
certain to be nominated. The project
advanced by New York democrats for
a new man as leader has fallen flat