davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-09-18

ator ]. Charles Linthicum. who was the
candidate of Gov. Crothers. The regu-
lar or Mahon machine is said to re-
sent the Interference Of the governor
In city politics, and already there Is
heard talk Of knitting Linthicum- A
politician close to the machine said to
The Star correspondent today:
The governor is dabbling too much
In city politics, and he is after control
of the party organization here. I have
heard 1t stated that he has already
made his plans to place Charley Linthi-
cum In the governors chair as soon az
he (Crothers) shall have finished his
term as governor. That Is the reason
why Linthicum declined the profered
support of the organization for the
mayoralty fight next spring. When the
governors term expires he will be the
big boss OF the state, and with Linthi-
cum as his successor It will be an easy
matter for Crothers to capture the seat
In the United States Senate now oc-
cupied by John Walter Smith. That
is the program Crothers has outlined
and II We Of Baltimore don't look out,
Crothers will name the next inayorssof
this city."
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-09-18
Protection of Cocaine Traffic.

phrey had offered to secure his release
from Jail for $500.
Protection of Cocaine Traffic.
During the progress Of the investigation,
which is being conducted personally by
Gov. Crothers and Attorney General
Straus, there has been testimony to the
effect that the cocaine traffic In negro
belts has been under the protection of q
high police official, and that this same
official has been receiving rake-offs from
men who make racing books in some
downtown saloons. That the Sunday Ii
quor law is being violated openly by no.
tells large and small. is a well known
fact.
That the result OF the investigation
will be general shake-up In the police
department is accepted as a foregone
conclusion. The governor had been .ad-
vised that conditions in the detective de-
partment were not as they should be, and
he placed the blame for such condition
on the shoulders Of Marshal Farnan. The
governor admits that Farnan Is thor
Oughly honest and that not a breath OF
suspicion of wrongdoing rests against
him. but the governor claims that as
head Of the police and detective force
Farnan should have known of the con-
ditions that existed during the incum-
bency OF humphrey.
Gov. Crothers therefore made q de-
mand upon the police board that when
the four-year term OF Farnan should ex-
pire a younger and more active man
should be placed at the head OF the po-
lice department. The police board, how
ever, fatty declined to bow to the wishes
of the governor and reappointed Farnan
as marshal
Gov. Crothers thereupon announced
that he proposed to investigate the de-
partment himself. He turned the search
light of the probe upon the detective
bureau, the object being to show that
Irregularities existed and that Marshal
Farnan was to blame for not discovering
conditions in the department long ago.
Congressional Campaign.
The congressional campaign in Mary
land will not open until next week,
when the candidates OF the two parties
will meet with the respective state
chairmen and agree upon platforms.
When the platforms are finally made
up the candidates will begin their
hustle for votes. An interesting bit of
gossip is going the rounds, which, IL
true, will make the fourth district,
hitherto democratic Gibraltar. de-
batable. The winner in the democratic
primaries in this district was State Sen
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-09-18
Worlds Fair Committee.

Mayor Mahool today announced that a
meeting Of the committee of 100 to ar
range for the holding OF the Star Span
gled Banner exposition. or worlds fair.
In 1914 would be held September % in
the mayors reception room at the elty
hall. In discussing the project, Mayor
Mahool says:
This exposition should be one of the
greatest OF modern times. We will get
down to work at once. as we cannot be
gin too soon on a proposition of this
magnitude. Other cities have had their
troubles with worlds fairs. and when
this exposition is thrown open to tie
public we want to have It completed in
every detail and have it outshine, il pos
sible, its predecessors"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-09-18
WASHINGTON PROOF.

Mrs. James III. Keister, I'LL 18th street
northwest, Washington ID. C., saysi 81
suffered for years from kidney COM
plalnt. My back was weak and when
ever I did any extra housewOrk I had
= severe ache across my lOins. I slept
poorly and was In misery most Of tho
time. Doan's Kidney Pills, procured at
Stevens Pharmacy, helped me from
the first and the contents Of two boxes
disposed Of my trouble" (Statemsnt
given November 0, 1867
A LASTING EFFECT.
Mrs. Keister was interviewed on April
IL, 1910, and she saids 1.-THE cure DOan's
Kidney Pills Effected I'm my case has
been permanent"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-09-18

with the gang Of crooks Of which he (the
conv1ctt was a. member and that Pun
phrey had offered to secure his release
from Jail for $500.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-09-18
WARNING.
DO NOT WALK ON THE
RAILROAD TRACKS.
YOU INVITE DEATH WHEN
YOU WALK ON THE
RAILROAD.

YOU WALK ON THE
RAILROAD.
Many persons walk ON or across
the railroad tracks In a thought
less manner, giving little heed to
the danger they incur.
WALKING ON THE RAIL
ROAD Is DANGEROUS AT
ALL TIMES.
In emergencies, trains are run
In reverse direction ON double.
track railroads. In stepping from
one track to avoid q train, there
IL great risk Of stepping I'm front
Of q train on the other track.
RAILROADS ARE NOT PUB
Lie HIGHWAYS.
Bear in mind that railroads are
not public Highways and should
not be used as such; It Is unlaw-
full and cannot be done without
serious risk.
The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1910-03-03
PROSPECTS FOR ALL CROPS
GENERALLY GOOD
December Bulletin Of Board Of
Agriculture Reports Favor
able COndi Ions

The December crop bulletin issued
by the state board OF agriculture
shows an increased acreage of wheat
in practically all the counties. This
was true, with but two OF three ex-
ceptions in all the twenty-five
n0HtlwCs .ein counties Of the state
which are known as the wheat com-
ties, ihe total increase for these
twenty-five counties amounting to
something more than l3 per cent
over ,hc acreage OF 1908, when the
returns showed ,326,l6S acres for
these counies. All but seven couu-
ties in the wheat belt show an in
creased acreage and one county
(Kay) Of Che seven shows a falling
off in acreage of 30 per cent The
counties of Jackson, Washita, Texas,
Roger Mills and Canadian show a
very largely increased acreage This
estimate would show an acreage this
year in the twenty-five counties
enumerated of .49S,596.
The growing condition Of wheat In
The seventy counties reporting is
shown to be 81 s per cent.
The growing condition for the
twenty-five counties considered as the
wheat counties is shown TO be So 8
per cent, and since these counties
ol the wheat production of the
state, this must be considered as the
true basis of growing wheat condi
ion in Oklahoma These counties
produced according 10 the assessors
returns, in the harvest Of 1908, to-
The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1910-03-03

the local banks refuse to receive the
Aluney on tae governments terms as
TO security and rates Of interest, in
banks somewhere within the state
II there are no banks in the state
prepared TO take the money, Il must
be paced in the treasury Of the Uni
ted States, to be Withdrawn for pay
meat Of dcpostoFs or investment in
gogelnlaent bonds
1'he neOry of the advocates OF the
Compromise is that i, VIII keep the
money in the neighborhood OF the
postal repositories where 1t Is depos-
ell, unless war OF other emergen-
clos MAKE 1t necessary to draw II out,
There was no objection TO provi-
sion tina. in time of war the govern
mCnt could withdraw the money and
Issue bonds in It's stead, as an emer-
geney measure, and the progressives
in The nate were entirely sa lstled
with H. Bul lnis compromise goes
further, for it Allows he Preslden,
dec are an emei gency in time Of
pamc example, and use the savings
funds to convert bonds in,o ready
money which can be loaned to any
bank that the comptroller may des-
ignate
The objection that Is urged to the
aneadmcnt IS Ill based on The pos
sibihty hat in tim u panic the
money might be drawn from the
9eaEe banks, wh they are most
in need cf prot c{ion, and used TO
areng hen tie banks mat should be
ahle To stand alone hwt might be IN
trouble because OF speculation. Sen
ator eorah who attended the con
ference, t1 d tbo senators that he was
no ready 10 say that he would or
would nUi support the amendment or
,ha bill Il 50 amended There Is the
same hssl,ancy among all the pro-
Gro sista to declare helnsesges at
this time. They are at aid the eltecy
on ,he bill will be harmful bu they
have not been ghia TO confer and
2srec on a policy
The other side evidently expects
trouble, for ii Is given Out that they
have secured promises OF support
from al least six Dampcra ic senators
who win VOC wish them and helD
offset the effects Of any Republican
detection hat might develop The
announcement tina, ,he bill will pass
and In pr1e l1ally The form outlined
is maze poslti3ely by Republican
senate leaders af or Il ca cIul poll OF
the senate
The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1910-03-03
Al d 10SSL9i9 bushels Of wheat

tai OF 10SSl,919 bushels Of wheat.
Replying to inquiries relating TO
damage by green bug or other in
seots and the appearance or preya-
lence OF insect enemies, the reports
are almost unanimous in the decla-
ration that little or no damage has
resulted from this cause
Rye is no. grown In sufficient
qr2n ity in oklahoma in any Of the
c1un les, according to the reports, to
constitute a commercial production.
The reports on winter oats indicate
hat the pas season has been sutii-
ciently serere to put this crop out Of
available grain crop and 1t is prob
able that fuure experiments will be
confined 70 testing its value as a fall
and winler plant
Fifty.six counties reported an In
creased acreage of l6 per cent to be
planted to cotton this year over the
acreage plan cd in 1909 Some
couLties IN which cotton has previ-
ously never been own in market
able quan tiles, report a considerable
acreage TO be planted to that crop
This year Tho cotton acreage re-
ported on June t, 1909, was 1896, AIS,
being so ) per cent Of the crop plant
ed The previous wear This would
make the acreage approXimated to be
plan cd this year W per cent below
the acreage planted in 1905
The acreage Of corn estimated for
The s'ete by the lifiy-six counties re-
porting an Increase or Geere%e,
shows an increase Of 5S per cent
cfer the acreAse planted last year
TIE growing condition OF alfalfa,
as repor,ed from lifty-four out Of the
seventy coun les making reports, was
90 4 per ceut, n wide variance show
ing between the reports from adioln.
Ing t1hrlies, ranging from i5 per
cent In stephens, the lowest 70 80
per cent IA GRADY county Since The
average for the state is 90.4 per cen
II Is probable That Che repom from
stephens county Is erroneous.
Question No, 10 OF the letter Of In
qnirys called for an estimate on the
acreage Of broom corn planted In
uulrics on this subject were received
from thirty-iiyc of The seventy couu-
ties reporting the estimated acreage
being iS5.A90, and the estimated in
ease being 49,. 2 per cent over the
crop planted last year. Last year
only eighteen counties I'm the STATE
reported broom corn grown and the
acreage was estimated al l2425l, ~
per cent Of when was grown on sod.
The high price at which the broom
corn product sold during the fall and
win,er has encouraged growers dn
many oher counties to give this crop
q trial, and the increase acreage Is
an evidence that oklahoma, with any.
thing like fair season, viii continue
10 justify her reputation MS the lead
II broom corn state OF the union,
REGARDING the condition of live
stock he state board Of agriculture
makes this statement:
The high prices which continue te
prevail for cattle, hogs, sheep ant
poultry make the health and growing
condition OF this important adiunc
10 The farm Of more than ordinar.
importance, aud seventy conntle
responded TO the inquiry sent out ol
This subject The complied returns
show that all these classes of liv'
stock haze gone through the winte
The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1910-03-03
MUST HAVE
hurt DREADFULLY
MUST HAVE HURT GREADFULLY
FROM THE LETTER RECENTLY
RECEIVED FROM MRS. {.
ER, OF LAKE
CHARLES, La, HER
SUFFERING MUST
HAVE BEEN
DREADFUL.

Lake Char es. La y aad no cour-
age OF patience left WHITES Mrs. r..
Fournier OF this placa, as a result
oil my great suffering
u had baclsachc, haa s7che, heart
palptation, cl9ilS, f&iuing apsAs,
sick stomach, nervousness, dragging
sensations and hcsglt every month
should die
No doctGf could relieve me and
the month before began to take
Caldui, | c0ud hard walk coull
not wear my corset, and had pain
in my right side
Since tahn5 Cardui ! have no
more pain | can walk as far as /
wanl and ain feeling like a different
woman.
If you suffer from any Of the symp-
toms described by MIS- FourniGr yen
are Il geI st0 lake Csrdni, ipr "
should surely do as much for you, as
l. has done for nor
II you are weak and ailing, suffer
from LACK OF appetite, lack Of blood,
lack of nervous yiality Cardui is
probably Just what YOU need TO help
YOU build up youf physical and merry
GUS constitution.
1t builds, streRgtAcn@ res ores ana
acts in every way as syecilic tonic,
ienels, ror fWonlaaly weakness.
See y0uf uiugsia abou it,
N. b Write to. Ladies' Advisory
Dept ~ ChsuunoHsa Medicine Co.,
Chattanooga, Tenn. Tor Special In
stlu, ions, and 6A page book, Home
Treatment for WGmen,' ent in plain
wrapper on request
The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1910-03-03
AMENDED MEASURE
meets MAJORITY VIEWS
Objectionable SmoBt Amend
Tnant IS Eliminated Alter
q Conference

Nslias,sns n, c. Mach
That the postal savings bank bill will
mss i've senate on the legislative day
q rhursda. in some form, seems TO
be settled The bill Is d special or
dep for Thursday 90 be voted upon
before any other mat On Is touched.
Whan it IS call3d up on Thursday the
understanding that the senate will
u until j. has PASSED and call the
cgl ative day Thursday even if the
ac ual day is Sa urday, was reached
las, week AL the close Of another
confer ace, held between Senators
Ceanc, Cnrtis, Root, Smoot. Crawford,
Sutherland, Carer Jones, Gamble
and Borah, ii was given out that an
agreement had been reached whereby
the Smoot amendment is TO be taken
OUT of the bill In its place the fol
lowing amendment was announced
as agreed:
Provided, hat when in the iudg-
ment of the President, war or any
other exigency involving the credit
of the government 50 requires, the
boa Il Of trustees may withdraw all
or any part OF the said funds from
the banks and invest the same in
bends Or ether securities OF the Uni
ted States
This new language is 10 be insert
ed after q provision now in the bill
to the effect that money collected al
the postal savings repositories shal
be deposited in local banks, and Il
The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1910-03-03
rnoker candidatc Eor Auditor

II. A. Tucker is a candidate for
state audito" He says: christianity
Democracy, labor and education are
the pillars on which Oklahomas $
greatness rest H. A. Tucker the
Mind candidate for state auditor,
stands firmly for these strong pillars
ol greatness Blindness VIII not pre-
vent MIN discharging the duties of The
office with efficiency and safety no
more than blindness prevents Senator
Gore attending to tho duties Of his
office"
The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1910-03-03

In oklahoma In most excellent shape.
No losses OF any consequence has
been sustained. and the present con-
diton Of cattle Is given at si iS per
ceng. for hogs, 962 per cent: sheep,
SO 5 per cent, and poultry at 81 per
cent. The number on hand com
pared with the same period In 1909
shows cattle, S4.5 per cent; hogs
81. 3 per cent. and poultry, s6.3 per
cent. indicating that, SO far as the
supply IN oklahoma is concerned,
here Is little prospect Of lower
prices for meat.
The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1910-03-03
neao Tn,.

Hutchinson. kas. After trying
doctors and different medicines for
Aldney. bladder and rheumatic tr"p
ole Halls Texas Wonder cured me.
It Is the best medicine on earth
Waiter e. Perry. 20 g. Main street
Sold by all drugglsts.
The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1910-03-03
Special to Daily Leader

Special to Daily Leader
Tulsa, Okla. March 3. .-George
McEroy, one Of the original settlers
Of this city IS dead, aged 73. Mr..
MsElroy came here in 1883. He saw
Tulsa grow. a. ON a hamlet of less
than a dozen homes to a large city.
The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1910-03-03
SEED OATS BURNED
Special to Daily Leader.

Milburn. Okla. March 3.-.-Abotlt D..
600 bushels OF fine red rustprpcf seed
nas belonging to w r. woody were
destroyed by fife, four miles south
OF Milburn. A separator Ia AM adtotn-
ing shed was partially damaged BY
the excessive heat, but wns finally
extricated with much difficulty. n
The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1910-03-03

Tortlring eczema spreads IT. hlrn-
Ing area every day Doan's Olatisent
quickly stops It's spreading, InstnRtly
relieves the itching. cures II Deruss'
nently. At any drug store.
The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1910-03-03

Doan's Regnlets cure constipation,
tone the stomach, stimulate the liver.
promote digestion and appetite and
easy passages of the bowels. Ask
your druggist for them. 25 cents a
The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1910-03-03

Are You frequently hoarse? Do
you have that annoying tickling in
your throat? Does your cough annoy
you al night, and do you raise mu-
,cous in the morning? DO you want
i elief? If SO. take Chamberlain
Cough Remedy and you will be
pleased. Sold by all dealers
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1910-09-09
COUNCIL, HI.UEFS

The stewards OF A.. M. e. church
gave a barbecue labor day, which
was a success. We cleared about
$12. Rev. Wash Of Texas, was one
of the speakers of the day.
Prof. Brado and Miss Brado re-
cited very appropriate recitation.
Mrs. Cornelius Rhode is on the
sick list, but is little better. Mr..
VIM. Hapgood is on the sick list
also.
Mrs A. Walker is somewhat i'm
proved.
Mrs. VIM. Blackburn gave a sur
prise birthday party on her daugh-
ter, Erma M. Blackburn. 1t was her
twelfth birthday. They had de-
lightful time, and she received quite
number Of useful presents. Those
present we're Earl Davis, Charley
Davis Celia Farmer, May Ward, Oil
vet Ward, Cleota Thompson, John
Russell, Mary Grady, Lester Black
burn, Clare Fisher, Leona Fisher
Charley Burk, Gladis Burk, Jetta-
ME Newman, Erma M. Blackburn.
The Willing Workers meet ut Mrs.
A. Davis, 2007 Seventh avenue on
Thursday at $3.50.
Mrs. K. V Robinson expects to 80
to Seattle on a visit soon. ~
Rev. M. G. Newman leaves for
Minneapolis next week for confer
ence r. ~
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1910-09-09
ALBA NEWS.

Mrs J. F. Washington and Miss Viola
Washington of Hooking was in Abba
to spaad Sunday.
Mr.. Roy Grayson and Mrs. Moss
johnson and Miss Lettie Johnson spent
two days at the state fair in Des
Moines last week.
Misses Eva Parker and Bates Of
Indianola are spending few weeks in
Abba and surrounding towns.
Miss Gertrude M. Jones of Chicago
is visiting at the parental H. Jones
home. an! with friends and other rela-
tives in Abba.
Miss Henrietta Jones was an Ottum-
wa visitor two days of this week.
The paving of the streets have
brought number of strangers to our
town the past few weeks.
Mr.. Burt Jones of Hiteman was. in
Abba at home over Sunday.
Madam Randolph of Hiteman was in
Abba Wednesday.
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1910-09-09

Miss May Morgan was in Keokuk
Mrnday. She reports having had a
grand time.
Misses Ethyl and Irene Jackson Of
Kansas City. Mo-, are visiting their
parents, Mr.. and Mrs. G. H. jackson.
Miss Anna Harper will start to
Carbondale, IL, Thursday, where she
will teach this fall.
Rev. ]. w. Evans and Mrs. G. II.
Jacksos left for Buxton Monday to at
tend the Iowa-Nebraska Association.
Mrs. Rena Blades was mueh better
Sunday.
Miss Renfrow of Lawrence, Kans.,
who is travel ing in the interest Of the
Old Folks home in that city, made q
very interesting talk at the Second
Baptist church Sunday morning and at
the A. M. E. church Sunday evening.
She is deserving young lady and
should be encouraged.
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1910-09-09
CEDAR RAPIDS NEWS,

Mr.. Walter Bowling, Jr., of Atchison
Kans., who has bed making his home
with his uncle andaunt, Mr.. and Mrs.
w. H. Raspberry. has moved his family
to Cedar Rapids. We wish them hap.
piness to their new home. s..-.
Mr.. VIM. H. Raspberry who has been
i'll for sometime. was seen on the street
shaking hands with his old friends
Wednesday.
Mr.. VIM. Lavell has returned from
thr south after two weeks vacation.
He reports a pleasant time.
Mrs. Matte Starks has returned
from visit with her mother. She is
looking fine and had a pleasant time.
We are afraid that the members of
the choir are being given to many good
les. The organist was away from her
post Sunday; also the leader. They
were entertained Friday evening at the
home of Mr.. and Mrs. VIM. Milligan
and everything pertaining to the season
was had. A six course supper was
served, and at late hour they had to
rush to catch the car; one brother ate
so much that the car left him and he
had to walk the long distance to town.
Yet every one enjoyed themselves and
much credit is due Mr. and Mrs. Milli-
gan.
The Culture club met at the home of
Mrs. A. Jackson Sept. lst, an enjoy
able meeting was had at which time
the election of officers took place:
President, Mrs. Clara Proce; Vice
President, Mrs. Jessie Smith; Rec.
Shct., Mrs Hattie Warren; Treasurer,
Mrs. A. &. Jackson, The club will
have their opening and installation of
new officers at Beryer's Park.
Mrs. Hitlin Coulder entertained at
dinner Sunday Mrs. Perkins, Mr.. and
Mrs. Hawkins and Master Mayo Perk-
ins.
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1910-09-09
INDIANOI,A ITEMS.

Mrs Frank Flummer entertained
at house party at her cozy home,
514 North e. street last Wednes-
day, all day, the honored guests be-
ing Mr.. and Mrs. Adam Dixon. Mes
danes l. NJ Daniels, Thornton Ad-
ans. p Alexander, Lizzie Glass, G.
Brown of Des Moines; Mrs Guy
Washington Of Jacksonville, Ill:
Mrs. e. Fine of Newton, and Miss
Mabel Johnson of Gravity, Iowa.
Promptly at 8 a. M, the hostess
assisted by her daughters, Marie
Flummer and Mrs. W.. Jackson OF
Charlton, served light breakfast;
at 1890 a delicious flve-course lunch
con, and at $40 a dainty repast
was served to the above named:
also to number of the ladies OF
this city.
The day was spent in conversation
except that in the afternoon a pro-
gram was rendered as follows:
Quartette, Misses Helen Bolden.
Mildred Bolden and Mable Johnson
and Mrs. Wm. Jackson: oration.
''The American Negro" Miss Marie
Flummer; piano solos by, Misses
Mildred Broadus and Mabel John
soon, after which short addresses
were delivered by Mesdames s.
White Of Indanola, l. N. Laniels,
Adam Dixon and S. Joe Brown OF
Des Moines, and Mrs. Guy Wash.
ington of Jacksonville.
Mrs. Flummer is the leading cat
eress of this city and all present de
clared her we'll worthy of the title
as she proved herself to be a queer
of entertainers on this occasion.
Mrs. E.. Fine of Newton, is Wis
ting in the city, the guest OF Mrs
A. l.. Bolden
Miss Mabel Johnson Of Gravity
Iowa, is visiting with Miss Marie
| Flumnler.
/ Mrs Wm. Jackson and HUSBAND
are visiting with Mrs. Jackson
| parents, Mr.. and Mrs. Frank Flum
/ mer.