davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1911-06-02

Mrs. O. M. Woods returned
Sunday from visit with her par
ents near Hooker.
The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1911-06-02

The mayor has issued a procla-
nation requesting that all dogs
running at large shall be muzzled.
The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1911-06-02

Mrs. j. w. Baughman is visit
ing in Plains this week.
The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1911-06-02

Little Arthur Edison spent Sun
day with his grandparents in the
country.
The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1911-06-02

Born, TO Mr.. and Mrs. John
Steth. May %, 1911, a boy.
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1911-07-15
SENATE Fixes
DAY TO Vote
Continued on Tenth Pags)

sugar. was defeated this afternoon.
IS TO s. Senator Cummins introduced
additional amendments TO the bill. one
providing for a reduction OF the duty
on steel beams. Orders and like pro-
ducts. and the other for a reduction
or the duty on oil cloth and linoleum
With the fate OF reciprocity pre-
determined in favor of that measure.
senators already are specializing on
the possible result OF the promised
votes on the two tariff bills, wool
and free list included in to-day's agree
ment. No one would undertake to
predict the outcome, but all agreed
on the point that the success or fail
ure OF the measures depencs entirely
upon whether the Democrats and in
surgent Republicans can get together
on any line OF action
II has been minated that II con.
gress should pass and tho President
veto the wool and free list bills the
Democrats would insist upon the CON
tinuation OF the session for further
tariff legislation. The Republican
leaders fear no such result. however
because they say the Democratic sen
ators are quite rs anxious 10 end the
session as are the Republicans
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1911-07-15
LEAVE SUNDAY
Maccabees Go TO Cleveland Sunday
Morning at 7:3o Over Wheel
ing & Lake Erie.

The local Delegates 10 the worlds
convention ~ th- Narcab-es. 10 h.-
held the coming w",k ~ Cleveland
will leave on sunday morning an 30
o'clock. over ;h- Wheeling K Lake
Eric road. Th.. military eucampinent
~ EdEewoat-r park VIII open SUNDAY
afternoon and th.r. VIII be grand
hand concert i'm the ev-Hin
ON Mondav. 1000 NI~cab'.s will At
tend The New YORK cleveland ball
game and on Monday eveuinr a ban
puet will b." hold at the IIoIIend..u
hotel on Tuesday. th. officers and
representatives ~ the supreme Lodge
will arrive Wednesday will bc su-ut
iu sight seeing. on Thursdav. there
VIII bc spectacular Initiation 81
1000 new members on Friday will
he held the grand parade TIL. final
sessions will Doc held SATURDAY,
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1911-07-15
SHIELDS picnic
Big Event 20 Be Held on State Fair
Grounds To-dsy-Many
Fine Features.

~ tho state Fair grounds to-day.
fhe INDEPENDENT order Shields ~
Honor Will hold their big annual pic
nic. The affair Will open at n O'clock
This morning ana continue until late
hour Tonight There will - hand
concerns and dancing an dav in addl-
tlnn ~ mar~ SPECIAL features
Tn Tho afternoon q five mile hfcv,is
raro and one milo foot race Wiz DO
hcld IN the race track and number
~ free arrofrf!r exhibitions wlU 10
given Automobile ior rides wiI fa
run around Tho race track Tho conn
rnitteo in charge has completed on are
ranFenr rfs and 70 good time iv assured
~ all Tho members ~ fhc commit
t~e are q. r. Narun. chairman. s. r.
''erdrer cr'rr'ar George chow
treasurer. Gr"rrr KennHn and Ahner
Grrfff
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1911-07-15
Stone & Thomas

have promised TO turn West Virginia
over 10 Harmon for the presidential
toga and this selection is being bit
terly opp ed by. the old-line Demo
Gratis who are supporting Champ
Clark. and Wilson. The machine has
also slated Cornwell for the COVER
norship in exchange for his support
during Watson's candidacy A Dem
ocratic paper of the state has started
"A ballot 10 ascertain views OF the
voters as TO who shall be the choice
for governor. Following is what the
Shepardstown Register Cd has to
say of the ballot being taken:
One OF our State exchanges is
seeking to ascertain the views OF the
people OF West Virginia as TO who
shall run for Governor next year on
the Democratic ticket This is use
less activity. for the bosses decided
that last winter II Is sure 10 be one
OF the seventeen who were promised
the job
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1911-07-15
DENEEN GRILLED
ON LORIMER Case
Illinois Executive Denies Organizing
Legislature That Elected
lorimcr Senator.

WASHINGTON. July IL 49, For
nearly six hours today. Governor
Charles :. Dineen. OF Illinois. under
went crOss eKaminaii on at the hands
OF counsel for senator Lorimer. con
corning the testimony the governor
gave yesterday 20 the senate com
mittse. which Is investigating the
election OF Senator Lorimer. II IL
expected that tomorrow the governor
viii be cross examined about events
on the day Lorimer was elected.
Nearly every phase of Illinois poll
tics Was entered into BY Attorney r.
bridge Hanecy. In cross examining
the witness. The testimony consti-
tutes history OF political align
ments in Illinois. from the time Mr..
Deneen was first elected state attor-
ney for Cook county
Mr. Hanecy sought 20 show that ~
was Deneen who organized the legis-
latures during his term as governor
and not Lorimer. but Mr. Deneen was
chairman OF committees and that
Lorimer had attended n conference
somewhere" wherein ~ was agreed
to have the minority Republicans and
Democrats organize the house. which
voted for Lorimer.
Mr.. Hanecy sought TO show that
II 10 Deneen men had voted for Hop
kins on the first days balloting for
senator. Hopkins would have been
elected. Mr.. Deneen was not willing
to say that all these Is were full
Pledged Deneen men.
The witness explained that all that
was done TO postpone Hopkins cleo
ton was TO have about ten men vote
for Foss. On the last ballot. he
said, they returned to Hopkins.
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1911-07-15
MAS0NS
WILL ENTERTAIN SCOTLAND
nAsONs rERE.
Elaborate Event viii Marx Visit of
Members From Across the At
lsntle IN Wheeling.

On Monday evening next the Ma
sons Of Wheeling will have as their
guests a party OF gentlemen from
Glasgow. Scotland. who are touring
he United States. The party con
sists OF James Strang. Worshipful
Master: Andrew Brown. Past Mas
ter. and John ". Depster. Junior
Warden. all OF 80, Johns Lodge.
Glasgow. the oldest Masonic lodge in
the world.
The party arrived in New York last
Sunday and have been visiting the
fraternity in that city and In Phila-
telphia during the week. President
smith. OF the Masonic club. wired
an invitation 20 them TO become the
guests OF local masonry and late yes
terday evening was advised of their
acceptance.
A meeting OF the Worshipful Mas
tiers OF the Wheeling lodges was held
last evening at the Masonic temple
and plans were made for their enter
tainment. President Smith OF the
Masonic club. C. W. Greig and Or.
W. A. Cook. two native born Scotch
men. will go 10 Pittsburg Monday
morning to escort the party TO
Wheeling. Upon their arrival Mon
day afternoon they will be met at
the train with. automobiles and will
be shown over the city.
At 1880 p. m. n reception will be
held at the Scottish Rite Cathedral.
Byron and 14th streets. at which all
Master Masons will be introduced to
the guests. The reception will be
held In the lobby as the brethren ar
rive and after Introduction will pass
up the stairs into thu auditorium.
At the close OF the reception the Wis
itors will be escorted to the audi
forum where n team OF the four
lodges will work the Masters degree
II is expected that this will be one
OF the largest gatherings at one time
OF local Masons for strictly n local
affair that has been had for many
years.
The party have with them the seal
OF St. James lodge which dates back
10 the year 1865 and this seal is one
Of the famed relics OF Masonry and
Is mentioned in several Masonic
histories by American authors The
opportunity afforded the local Ma
sons 10 meet the party and TO view
this famous seal Is exceptional as
IL was the intention of the party
TO visit only i'm the cities OF New
York. Philadelphia. Pittsburg. Chica-
go and Detroit. but they could not
withstand tine warmth OF the invi-
tation extended by the local brethren
and have altered their plans TO per
NIT them TO visit here.
All Master Nasons are urged 70
attend the reception and witness the
degree work.
II is expected that a subscription
banquet will he arranged for the WISH
tors at the Fort Henry club TO fol-
low the degree work
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1911-07-15
ATTORNEY HAS LOVE LETTERS.
Detectives on Trial in Stokes Case
Claim Martin w. Little
ton Has Packaqe.

NEW YORK. July 1.-THE missing
letter" from ". T.. u. stokes. the mil
h"uair". 10 Lillian Graham. the show
rl. wer" rot in Miss Graham's pos
s'ssion or IN" night of June =. when
stokes was shot. hut had been placed
for SAT" L. "ping in the hands ~ Mar
:H ". iutlton. Miss Graham's coun-
Sci. according To four detectives who
testified to-day in their frlal on
charges resulting from tho manner In
which thst investigated the case
I.iruirIant Sullivan and Detectives
Walsh. b"verv and Flynn. who are
under charges. testified that they had
seen mo- ink ribbon. such as tho vofir.
women claim bound tho most imports
rnt letters
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1911-07-15

who committed perjury and defrauded
the government They submitted false
afldavits to the government and com
mitted fraud in April and May. 1908,
ana the statute OF limitations did not
expire until May. 1911. I sent all the
evidence 10 the encouragement a
Year before. and he failed and refused
10 prosecute these people for robbing
the treasury. and he permitted the
statute of limitations to run in their
favor.
Wickersham Shielded Guilty.
II want the committee to have all
'he facts. 80 i may know whether the
attorney general has deliberately
shielded these people from prosecu
ION Tor crime or not. II is fair TO
him and fair to me. say that he
has"
Did NOu send the attorney general
evidence enough and Indicate where
witnesses could bee found to warrant
an Indictment asked Representative
Webb. Of South Carolina
Undoubtedly replied the terri
iorIal delegate, and ! furnished him
with evidence OF other crimes. The
Alaska syndicate is an organized
crime"
What do Won mean by the Alaska
syndicate. Chairman Clayton in
quircd
Il refer 20 The Alaska syndicate
composed az =. Picrpont Morgan. the
'ug-rnhcim Brothers. Kuhn. Loeb a
Co Jacob ~. Sch aad Graves"
no do yoa mean by the Gurgcn-
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1911-07-15

helm Brothers." asked Representa.
tive Norris of Nebraska.
senator Simon Guggenheim and
his six brothers"
Who is Graves" asked Represen-
tative Graham of Illinois.
lie represents Close Brothers. the
English syndicate. and other capital.
lists"
captain Jarvis" added the dele
gate was the confidential agent of
Morgan in charge of the syndicat's
interests in Seattle. He committed
suicide Immediately following the in
PRODUCTION OF this resolution you are
now considering. lie knew that this
resolution would bring out the facts &"
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1911-07-15
WICKERSHAM ACCUSED
CONTINUED from First PaseJ

acknowledgment May -. 1910. and
We had considerable further CORES
pondence. and ON July II. 1911. more
than year later. ! received "a letter
from the attorney general stating that
the statute Of limitations had eV.
pred"
The correspondence. including the
final letter Of the attorney general.
was read into the record
II read the last letter continued
Delegate Wickcrsham. "t0 SHOW that
tho attorney general now SAYS that
tho statute Of limitations has run
against the prosecution Of these m.u
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1911-07-15
WATSON
BUILDING FENCES
tcon.lnn.a 90. 80, pnr.l

@N F'sep
others Opposing V..rs,, in an .f-o-.
to sIav The crt,.,.,. ,..,. ,.....,.,.ff.,
tho Bem,cr.c, az g.. ~. 49,.
Watson. Chiffon combine b.,,,r nm.
.parentlv staricd fo tr. Cha. f,gi,o,,',.
OF every uouoc,,f.. ,,,.- ., '..
state. Already s.,,.,r,.f t, ,r.
Wheeling Rcri.t,r i.,rfcst.,, ~,
zcttc and Tho rei~r,o,, ri,,,.. 49,.
machine ORGANS a.. ... s.,.. 49,,
ia busy ptrcrp.i,. Ola. ...,,,,,'-. -
other ucr. orr.t... t...,.... ...r r...,...,..
t1, Fair.rcut coal t... b. t.'.t,...- -,
have raid $40. .. ....- ...-,. ~
tho WYOMING T,b.,r. .,t .,..
before vcro moi o,... .cr t,ff....
a share
Tho .harce vc-c r,.,-.t., do, d..
Herbert sanders ..tI i.,. ft..,....,-,,..,
Advertiser ,bl .ri.r-t.. .... .,--,'.
Is fhlt ho prrrr...d Oh, ,o,.r..t.,,.,
-. - ''' 'n'
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1911-07-15
MURDER.
Fatrer.in-Lsw Kills Son.inLaw. Who
Was Slow IN Paying Debt.

CHARLESTON. vs.. va. July IA
Because his son-inl1w. George Bows
man. of Montgomery. vaE slow in pay
INC hack "a loan bis father in-law
claimed h" CAV" him. fhc latter shot
bis eouir''w. who after being brought
'' ih" ciF and me arm ampu'atcd.
died ~ result ~ mo injuries in
1lcted bF Tho fafhor.in law. Bpwsman
"as about 2" years ~ ago. and is sur.
fifod Dos hiG vito and family
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1911-07-15
PIPE Line INQUIRY
Is to Be Undertaken by the Govern.
ment According TO An
nouncement

WASHINGTON. July 1i.-An in.
vestigation of pipe lines. their rates,
classiiicatious and regulations. was
ordered today bv the Interstate com
merce commission. Informal com.
plants have been made 10 the com
mission that certain pipe lines are
being operated in an unlawful manner
and 10 the prejudice OF the interests
of oil shippers
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1911-07-15

When Judge Golf was spoken OF as
a possible candidate for the governor
ship by Republicans. the Democrats
press made a howl. stating that the
Republicans had already given up
the sponge and were running Goff
because they knew IL was hope
less race While Judge Goff has
not announced his candidacy. he
would no doubt prove y strong man
and would defeat ary Democratic
nominee. Knowing this the Demo
cratic press is making bold stand
against him
While % thc city during the paet
week Tom Bowman. orc or the best
known Democrats o. ih.s state. who
has Ter years been a1 oidiine Dem
oCfai. stated tra' he intended he
roUipr p candidate Tor state auditor
ou th" democratic trL,t bu' that
II Gcff vas not r1tad bv the re-.
publrans. Do" would pro bahi- with
"~'v ~ boz was man whom the
democrats could hardy expect 10 de-
f'at This .s broad statement for
an old i'm" Nemocs1, ~ make bur D.
show very clearly CHAT thet do not
and wIi not support W0fsou and his
machine politics any longer ANY Of
TORT rad" ht Watson fo push Corn.
10 to the front VIZ DO met bv a
f"puf ut tdc oid.i-u~ Democrats
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1911-07-15

'EW YOHF IrIv o. Mark Twain
.".f actual property worth St1f.fsf.
500 arprri.fI OFF h.s estate filed with
fh" surrnrH fp.d ar rItee 'h.s value
nu securities and rraI estate tho bu
woris horIrttbsd fo hI. onIv surviv.
inr child. Nra Gahr. IonIfsch. when
fe died or NpriI %. 1910
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1911-07-15
U. s. NOT ENEMY.
Is ESluded From the New Enalish.
Japanese Treaty.

LONDON, July II The anglo
japanese alliance has been modified
10 exclude the United States. from
Great Britain's possible enemies. and
ne I've Of the alliance has been ex-
tended nearly six years by the now
version Of the treaty which SIR I'd
ward Gray. tho british secretary or
foreign affairs. and Count Kato.
japanese ambassador a. London
signed Yesterday.
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1911-07-15
Madame Yale's Beauty Culture Products

THIS store headquarters for the famous Madame Yaes
Health Remedies Toilet preparations and Beauty Special
ties Among the toilet requisites and beauHers
Madame Yaes Almond Blossom Complexion Cream Massage
Cream Complexion Soap Skin Food Bust Food. Lily
Whitener Lily Skin Refner Elixir Beauty Blush of Youth
Complexion Powder Tooth Powder We Wheeling
agents for Madame Yae Beauty Products which
than 40 different preparations.
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1911-07-15

Republican papers are noting the
drift of the political tide Taftward.
Three Nebraska papers stated that
Taft will defeat Harmon. by a large
majority in the western states where
the Democrats have had a strong
hold.
Through an invitation from Presi-
dent Taft. Governor Glasscock, who
is summering at White Sulphur
Springs. spent two days at the White
House this week where il is thought
that the political situation in this
state was discussed.
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1911-07-15

Having pledged the voters OF the
state 10 support a primary election
bin ire Democrats are now trying 10
blaine the Republicans for defeating
primary measure that they drew up
ana supported The bill was the
nch.D.cc hin and was heralded a.
the oregon law" and was such a
icac THAT no fair minded legislator
W0uld support II and n was simply
framed up hy the Watson Chiffon
combination 10 prevent n strict pri-
mary election bin goinC into effect
before The ncvt election which would
have resulted ir Watson. being
swampc1 FOR reelection
The bin was 40 unfair that the
voters ~ the state did not want A.
Wad the Democrats eliminated tho
outrageous provisions I'm their bill
and made b. strict primary election
bill 10 20 in effect at once the Re-
nuhlicans would have supported 81
but Clarence W Watson saw 10 b.
that any attempt fo make the btu
good primary election law was
tlankcfed lie wanted tho bill N 60
into effect after his campaign closed.
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1911-07-15

During the reign OF Democracy I'm
This state the annual state levy WAS
80 cents on the hundred dollars and
when the Republicans came into pow.
er the Democratic papers raised a
howl over the Dawson tax laws, stat
ing that they were a crime. The
Democrats said that Dawson was
plotting against the taxpayers but
they have since been dealt blow after
blow as under the Dawson laws the
levy decreased until only within the
past few days the board OF public
works fixed the levy 70 the small
sum OF two and one-half cents on
the hundred dollar. the lowest tax
rate in the history OF the state
Now the Democrats in defense OF
lie opposition say that while the
levies are lower the assessments
were increased. Even take this for
granted. property must be increased
sixteen times IN assessment over
what IL was assessed under the Old
laws 10 make the Democratic as
sertion good. Every taxpayer in the
state. both Republican and Democrat.
knows that this increase in assess
mont OF his property has never been
made
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1911-07-15
Tri State.

AZ Johnson Is: York &
Al Trenton >: Lancaster :.
Others postponed. rain.
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1911-07-15

Prestde~ti'i Aspect
The Watson Chiffon combination
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1911-06-15
A LITTLE GEORGIA COUSIN

Dear Daddy jim: Here comes a
little Georgia girl for the second
time. AS my first letter was in print,
| thought I would write again. Say,
cousins, how many of you like to go
to picnics? | do, for one. There will
be one at Glover, Ca, next Thursday.
Hope some of you Cousins near by
can come. 1t has been raining up
here for the last few days, but has
stopped now. Our school has closed,
and our teacher has gone home for
the summer. Also Miss Lucy Adams
has returned home from La Grange,
where she has been teaching for three
or four years. I hope all of you
Cousins will enjoy vacation. I know
[ will. Well, for fear the waste
bakset is waiting for my letter, I will
close by asking a few history ques-
tons Ist. What was the first
message sent over the telegraph
wires? I'd. On what day of the
month did Columbus discover Amer
lea? Sd. Who founded Quebec? To
the one that answers these questions
correctly, VIII send a post card. I
am, as ever, little Cousin. LENA
F. DUKE, Juliette, Ga.
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1911-06-15
A BUSY COUSIN.

Dear Daddy Jim and Cousins: I
will say "hellO, as I have not visited
the ?. G. G. for some time. I have
been taking music lessons, hoeing
and setting out sweet potatoe slips,
and 1T keeps me busy. | have learned
to play several songs. I wish all you
cousins were here to go with me to
the strawberry and ice cream supper.
| would like to exchange post cards
with some Of you Cousins. I will ask
some questions of all kinds. How
many dollars worth Of merchandise
can be purchased for $369-, if the
agents commission is 5 per cent?
What object did Columbus have in
view in his first voyage? Third. What
was his idea of the size and shane
Of the earth? 4th. In what way may
the poem, GA Psalm of Life be help
ful to the young people? 9Th. What
should a receipt show? 9th. What is
compound element? l answered
the question about the boundary of
Delaware, but you never said whether
it was correct; tell me- To those
who answer my questions | will send
post card. I will close with best
wishes to Daddy Jim and the Cousins
N DONNELLY, Herrick, ILL.,, r.
F. D. No 2.
Of you will look at the map, you
VIII see that the northern boundary
OF Delaware is a sharp curve, the re-
verse OF the curve described by the
parallels of latitude. The best answer
10 this question was given by Miss
Imogene Boyle, Of Centralia, Mo-,
May 4th She said: There was a
boundary dispute between Pennsylva
MIA and Delaware. 1t was finally set
tied by making the boundary the
segment Of circle, twelve miles in
radius, drawn with Newcastle as the
center, and extending from the Della
ware River to the Pennsylvania Dor
der. Daddy Jim.)
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1911-06-15
FROM SOLITUDE IN ALABAMA

Dear Daddy jim: Will you allow
me a little space in your paper? I
did not see my other letter in print. I
guess that old Waste-basket picked it
up, but [ hope this one will escape
Papa takes The JeffersOnian, and I
like it fine. Papa thinks Mr. Watson
is fine man. [ certainly would like
TO hear him speak. I think Mr.. Wat
sin is treating us nice by giving us a
page in his paper Come again, Miss
Verna Simmons, your letter was fine.
| think you are right about the girls
in Alabama. I haven't seen many
letters from this State Let us all
try and keep up with the girls of 9TH
er States. Who likes to go to school?
l do for one. My teacher is Mr. T.
J. JOrdon, and I like him fine. The
assistant is Miss Lena Pope from Al
bertville, Ala. I am in the fifth
grade. go to school at Solitude, and
it is a beautiful place We live on a
farm four miles from town. I like
the farm fine. Well, I will close by
answering and asking some history
questions. Roy Baggett, your first
one is, Thomas Jeffrson. He was the
author of the Declaration of indie
pendence. I'd. James Oglethorpe.
Now, I will ask some history cues
lions. t. Tell the development of
the United States Since the Civil War.
I'd. Tell of the attack on Fort Sum-
ter. 3D. Who invented the steam
boat? 4th. What town did the Dutch
build in New York? Now, I will ask