davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1912-08-12
OFFICIAL
BELIEVES IN
FREE SPEECH
INDUSTRIAL WORKERS OF THE
WORLD CAN TALK ALL THEY
PLEASE IN DENVER so LONG AS
THEY DO NOT VIOLATE POLICE
REGULATIONS.

Denver, Colo. Aug. 12.-Support OF
the fight waged against corporations
and the money power by the Industri-
al Workers of the World and bitter
denunoiation of the treatment accord
ed members of the organization in
their free-speech fight in San Diego
marked an order here this afternoon
given Police Chief O'Neil by Police
Commissioner Creel Earlier in the
day o'Neil asked permission to arrest
every man preaching 1. W. W. doc
trines on Denver streets. Creeps an
swer was short, curt and pointed.
"The Industrial Workers" he said
"shall speak on the streets as much as
they please, say what they like, and
do as they desire so long as they do
not violate police regulations. l don't
intend to sanction the determinations
practiced against them in San Diego
Other organizations and labor unions
are allowed to speak when and where
they please and the Industrlalist'
ought to have the same rights"
o'Neil protested that something
ought to be done to stop the men from
agltatlng and saying that they ough
not TO be forced to work, but Cree
stoutly defended the free speech ad
vocates:
"They cannot say anything too bad,
Creel answered, against money pow
er and the corporations. You mus
not stop street speaking. That strike
at the very root of free speech. II
have anything to say about 1t, W
won't repeat San Diegos injustic
here
The members Of the Industrial OF
ganization are jubilant over Creer
stand and this afternoon announced
street meeting for tomorrow.
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1912-08-12
Mrs. Champ OZARK Agalnst II.

Washington, Aug. ia plea for the
abollshment Of the death penalty was
voiced here today by Mrs. Champ
Clark, wife of the speaker Of the house
of representatives, after she had read
the newspaper accounts Of the whole
sale executions at ossining, N. " this
morning.
"The seven executions in New York
today" she said, "is a striking ex-
ample of the total inefficiency of the
death penalty. would not like to be
responsible for taking what l could
not give-a human life. If these vic
Tins could have been put at some pub
lie work how much better 1t would be
for society"
Congressman Henry d. Clayton Of
Alabama, chairman Of the house com
mitteo on judiciary, announced he was
in favor Of capital punishment, assert
ing that the electrocutions today had
not changed his views on the subject.
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1912-08-12
SOUND STEAMER
MAKES NEW RECORD

Vancouver, B. G., Aug. 12.-Break-
ing all records for c. p r, coastwise
steamers and wrestling the blue rib
bon from the Princess Victoria, which
has worn It along her sides over since
1908, the g. P. n. steamer Princess
Charlotte made the phenomenal run
Of four hours and twenty-four minutes
between Victoria and Tacoma on Sat
urday when she was called into sery-
Ice to carry big excursion TO the
Tiger City. She beat the Princess
victoria's time by 10 minutes, despite
the fact that she had 1873 passengers
aboard.
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1912-08-12
RAISED ONLY
A FEW THOUSAND
UNITED PRESS LEASED wrRn.i

Washington, Aug. 12.-Testlfying be
fore the senate campaign contribution
investigating committee here today,
Congressman William B. Mckinley, of
Illinois, flatly declared that not pen
ny was received from corporations
during the Republican congressional
campaign in that state in 1908.
I'VE had a rule Mckinley said,
that no contributions were to be ac-
cepted from trusts and this rule was
faithfully obeyed."
Although Mckinley said he had nc
complete record Of the 1908 campaign
fund, he estimated that about $50 OOC
was raised OF this amount, he said
he personally contributed some five
six or seven thousand dollars
Mckinley estimated the total con
tributlons in the Republican congress
slonal campaign Of 1910 at 100000
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1912-08-12
HILL MAY ENTER
OREGON FROM SOUTH

While the news Is rampant in this
section that railroad is being plan
ned and steps being taken for its real
izatlon between Union and Walla Wal
la and eventually on through to Dur
kee so as to embrace the greater part
of eastern Oregon, the news comes
that a similar project is being planned
for All inroad into the eastern Oregon
territory from the south. AS before
II is the Hill interests and as the re-
ports have it is TO be the beginning Of
the strife for the control of the great
undcveloped Oregon territory between
the Hill and Hartman interests.
According to the Enterprise of Vale
the move now on foot is one in which
"the Hill people are preparing to
make a break for the eastern and CEN
tral Oregon territory and on through
to California" Vale sees in the move
another road for that little city. They
see, too, in it an extension Of the Pin
road from Weiser in Idaho through
into the Oregon territory.
With all the news that these roads
are going through the eastern Oregon
country and with the proof offered by
the surveys and other steps that are
being taken in that direction, It has
become more than a prediction that
the Hill interests will soon be in this
territory and that Baker will get her
share of the benefit.--Baker City Her
aid.
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1912-08-12
Governor West Comments.

Condemning capital punishment as
"idiotic," Governor West today after
reading an account Of the executions
at Ossining, N. ", made strong plea
for the substitution Of life imi,rls9n-
ment for the death penalty Governor
west said
"To me capital punishment seems
idlotlc. 1t was not very long ago In
England that more than 200 crimes
carried the death penalty, The man
who robbed a rabbit warren was put
to death. Rabbit stealing did not stop,
however, and some one with little
horse sense secured the repeal Of the
Law.
Capital punishment does not deter
crime. for the reason that the man
who commits murder never thinks OF
COontinued on Pare B.J
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1912-08-12
Oeean FreIght Rntes Un.

Vancouver, d. G., Aug 12.-Accord-
ing to the new export rate for wheat
and flour which will go into effect on
the Blue Funnel liners with the sail
ing of the Titan in September, the
prices charged for transporting the
foodstuffs to the Orient aud Philip
pines this fall will be higher than
during the Russo-Japanese war. when
owners had to risk losing their YES
sells by seizure or having them de-
stroyed by floating mines.
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1912-08-12
For Races in Mexico.

Vancouver, B. c., Aug. 12,-W. w.
Finn, acting superintendent Of the
Minoru race course, accompanied by
his wife, left yesterday for the City of
Mexico. Mr.. Finn goes to the capital
of the Mexican republic to confer with
number of the representative men
of that city on the possibility Of estab-
fishing a pretentious winter racing
plant.
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1912-08-12
Politics in Haytl.

Santo Domingo. Aug. 22.-suspected
Of encouraging the santo DOMINICAN
plotters planning the overthrow Of
President victoria's government, sew
eral Haytians were arrested here TO-
day. The prisoners probably win be
expelled from the country.
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1912-08-12
KILLED THE WOMAN
AND THEN HIMSELF

San francisco, Aug. 12.-Wlth no
known motive, Nicholas Sepotinos,
bankrupt grocer, shot and fatally
wounded Mrs. Mary McAndrew, wife
Of street car conductor, here this
afternoon in the rear of his store and
then killed himself.
The woman lived in apartments
above Sepotinos' store.
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1912-08-12
STARTS MOVEMENT
FOR SIX-YEAR TERN

Washington, Aug. 12.--In demand
ing action on his resolution to amend
the constitution so as to fix the presl-
Dental term at six years, with a limit
Of one term, Senator cummins, Of
Iowa, today gave notice In the senate
that he would insist on a vote on the
measure before adjonrnmsnt.
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1912-08-12
Tn Renresent the Knlser.

Berlin Aug. 12.-Announcement was
made here today that the kaiser has
chosen Prince Henry of Prussia rs
his representative to attend the fu-
neral of the late Emperor Mutsuhito
Of Japan which is to be held next
month,
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1912-08-12
Chain OF EVIDENCE is COMPLETE
SCHEPPS SUPPLIES MISSING LINK
Baseball Player Hurt.

4 Syracuse, N. Y, Aug, 12.--With :
+ painful cash between his =
+ shoulders, Ty Cobb, of the De- :
4 troit Tigers is here this after =
= noon and may not play in an ex- =
4 hibitlon game. =
= Cobb was wounded in Detroit Z
I. last night as he boarded the 4
4 train Three men attacked the I
+ ball player One cut him, Cobb 4
= felled the other with a punch and I
+ the three then fled.
+ d + + + r \ + + + = = + 4
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1912-08-12
EVIDENCE ALL IN IN BARROW CASE
AND THE ARGUMENTS BEGAN TODAY
= +++++++++++++ :
Must Stand Trial.

+ San Francisco, Aug. 12.-Hav-
= ing been pronounced sane by the
+ alienists of the insanity commits
+ sion, Charles Bonner the youth
4 full slayer of Bernice Lillian Co
+ dair, appeared today in Superior !
+ Judge Dunnes court for trial.
+ Attorney Hoff Cook, in his
= fight to save the boy from the
= gallows, will use the plea of tenn
+ porary insanity.
= .
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1912-08-12

Captain Belts, the veteran Columbia
river pilot. died at Astoria yesterday.
He was "A years old. At his request
his body will be cremated and the
ashes, In an urn, carried out over the
bar and dropped into the Pacific.
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1912-08-12
CONGRESS
may QUIT
SATURDAY
ADJOURNMENT In SIGHT If TAFT
DOES NOT VETO BUDGET BILL
IF HE DOES, SESSION WILL CON-
TINUE INDEFINITELY. =,
UNITED pRnss InAsrD wlnn.I ]

Washington, Aug. 12. Congress
Will adjourn next Saturday unless
President Taft vetoes the budget BILL"
said House Leader Oscar Underwood
today. "But IL the President dlsap-
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1912-08-12

New York, Aug. 12-"Keep the prls-
oner from outsiders at any cost"
This was the last word Of District
Attorney Whitman to lis assistant,
Robert Rubin, and County Detective
Robert Stewart before Il ey started for
Hot Springs, this afternoon to bring
back Sam Schepps, wanted here for
alleged implication in the murder of
Gambler Herman Rosenthal before the
Hotel Metropole.
schepps was arrested by the post
master at Hot Springs yesterday as
he was about to pest letters to "Bald
Jack" Rose and Harry Smith, both Of
which were confiscated by the police
Of Hot Springs. Rose is held here In
the Tombs for his part in the murder,
and has made confession to Whit
man which corroborated others made
by Harry Vallon, "Bridgey" Webber
and Jack Sullivan, all duplicating Po-
lice Lieutenant Charles Becker as the
man who plotted and planned the
death Of Rosenthal,
The Link That Was Needed.
District Attorney Whitman openly
stated this afternoon that with the ar
rival of schepps his chain of evidence
against the police officer would be
complete. Sehepps, he said, would
have nothing to say until he reached
New York, when he would give a de-
tailed statement concerning the plan
to murder Rosenthal, the name of the
gangsters who did the actual killing
and the motive behind the Staying. To
prove his assertion, Whitman gave out
the following telegram which sent to
schepps by the latters attorney, B. H.
Sander:
Don't talk to anyone until you ar
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1912-08-12
= = ~ = + + Z + = + +
The Dashing Widow.

+ Because Of delay in bringing 1
= the prisoner rom Portland, the 1
4. hearing before Governor West of
+ the extradition proceedings in
+ the case of Mrs Alice Brown, the
+ dashing young San Francisco
+ woman charged with swindling
+ David Mapping, an Illinois farm
4 er, out of $4,000 was not held
+ in the forenoon today as planned.
+ The hearing was scheduled to be
+ held in the afternoon. Governor
+ West intimated he would grant
= extradition
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1912-08-12
DISTRICT ATTORNEY FORD
TALKS TO JUROR GOLOING
WHO SUSPECTS A FRAME-UP

District Attorneys Argument Seems to be to Awaken Sym
pathy for Witnesses Against DaTOW, Whose Regulations
Would Be Hurt if DarrOW is Acquitted - Lays Particular
Stress on Position Of Lockwood Makes Statements Which
are Objected to as not in Evidence and Made to MSead
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1912-08-12
BECKER FURNISHED MONEY
SCHEPPS PAID THE ASSASSINS
AND HE WILL TELL THE STORY

District Attorney Says SCheppS on His Arrival in New YOrkWl
Give Names Of Men and Amounts He Paid Them for AsSaS-
Sinating RoSenha and will Admit that Becker Furnished
Him the Money Becker is Weakening, and il is Expected
He will Tell Of Receiving $2,4O0OOO "PrOeCtiOn Money.
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1912-08-12
SEVEN men
KILLED AT
SING SING
Job Lot Of MurdererS Electro
Cuted, Seven in All Going to
the Electrical Chair and to
Death This Morning.
DEATH PENALTY A FAILURE

"a Life for Life" Has Been the Law
Since the Dawn Of Creation, and Yet
Murder is as Prevalent and Common
Today as 1000 Years AgO-With no
Results Gained from the Death PEN
atty, Would 1t not Be Wise to Try
Something EIseY
The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1912-03-08
Corner First and Main SITS.

1t is amusing, almost hysterical-
ly so, to notice that friend You
man of the Waukesha Freeman,
who has been a cantankerous La
Toilette worshipper for many years,
is now hedging and looking long
ingly toward the Roosevelt band
wagon. 1t is too late. The So
called progressives who are reac-
tionaries in all the name implies,
have destroyed the republican par
" and done more to accomplish its
defeat than the democrats could do
in many years. The leaders of the
progressives, so-cailed, have had
but one object in view, political
prominence, power and pelf-the
welfare and prosperity of the coun-
try not being in their thoughts.
The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1912-03-08
Has Declared HIMSELF.

Well, the expected has happened.
Theodore Roosevelt, anxious for
power and prominence, has an
nounced his candidacy for the re-
publican presidential nomination
and should get tin the neck. In
November, 1904, when he was a
patriot and had some sense of the
eternal fitness of things, he made
public the statement that under no
circumstances would he ever again
be a candidate for the presidency.
During the time be was an occu-
pant of the office of chief executive
of the nation, he made great pre-
fences, talked loud and did to the
contrary Of what he talked-in fact
nothing that should entitle him to
any consideration by the members
of the Republican party, either con-
sentative or progressive. For a
long time he has been very quiet,
an unusual thing for him, but
thinking there was possibility of
riding into the presidential chair up
on the progressive wave, proceeds
to GUST LaFollette by the advocacy
of ideas as revolutionary as they
are idiotic. His Columbus (Ohio)
speech was a "hotchpotch" of
assininities which would lead one
to the opinion that his anxiety for
office had made the man lunatic.
He will neither be nominated nor
elected, for the voters of this coun-
try will never establish such
precedent to plague the country in
days to come. Two terms are suf-
hcient for any man, especially in
view of the fact that there are
thousands of able men in the coun-
try to fill that office.
The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1912-03-08
Mr.. DOOLEY ON SOME SOCIAL POLL
TICAL PHASES.

NIX. DUDLEY ON SOME SOClAL PULL
TICAL PHASES.
Things are keepin' purity quiet" said
Hogan as he dropped in to take the daily
dust out of his throat.
Faith, they are" said Mr.. DoOIey, an
be the same token, I'm thinkin' we're
goin' to have quare Saint Patrick
Day. Times are changin', Hogan, We
haven't the great min in aIther pa-artv
amy more, that we wanct had. IyiT
since the candydates have to pay out ay
their own pockets Fl what the pa-apers
SEE about thin, we haven't the gran
dimmycrats av ten years ago. In thin
times, If We picked up pa-aper yer eye
wod fall on an EDITORIAL like this:
Patrick Winkinharit is wan av til
nOblest min that WatertOWn iyir gave to
this free an gloriyous country. He is
a pathriot av two cOntinints. His larn-
in is deeper nor tn ocean, he is a rifle
statesman whose Orathory wud dyni-
mite a mountain, an melt tn heart av
tn most confrmid suffer-aget. A vote
FIR Patrick Winkinhardt will be a vote
f'r idication, FIR daycincy, f'r integrity
f'r tn American aigle, FIR tn sthars an
sthripes in wan Wurrd, FIR E Plurybus
Unum."
And now, Hogan, be hivins, if ye pick
up pa-aper, We may find (f We have yer
sharpest specs ON little notice like
this, hidden away near the want adds:
I, Patrick Winkinhardt, bein' av sound
mind and body, do hereby sware that |
hove paid tin cints f'r three insirtiOns
av tn fOllowin' notice about meself:
Patrick Winkinhardt is a candydate
for alderman in tn ilivinth wa-ard. He
belongs to the left wing av tn dimmy-
cratic pa-arty. He is able to read an
write wild pinciI, an weighs $50 pounds.
Ii ilicted, he'll do his best FIR himsilf an
FIR iviry body ilse. adv. KITS
"'Tis bad law, Hogan, which forbids
yer frinds from spakin' av yer virtues.
An that's what makes this iliction year
an off wan. Av ,cOorse there is some
thing stirring here an there. The Moon
light Club is stayin' up nights maxim
iloquint speeches, an lookin' for man
without ricord to run agin me frind
Misther CRUDE. q hope, Hogan, tn
mayor shows his ricord to Willum Jen-
kins Bryan, mkt Saturday. an gifts tn
STANDARD bearer az tn OuId dimmycrats
to put his AUTOGRAPH on it, The Out
side Door Art Associashun, is looking
fo'rwurd with intirist an trimblin' to
the iIiction av tn sthreet commissioner
The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1912-03-08
ReDelS Attack of Death.

Five years ago two doctors told me
had only two years to live" This start
ling statement was made by Stillman
Green, Malachite, Col. They told me
I would die of consumption. 1t was up
to me then to try the best lung medi-
cine and / began to use DR.. Kings New
Discovery. 1t was we'll did, for to-day
1 am working and believe [ owe my life
to this great throat and lung cure that
has cheated the grave of another victim"
It's folly to suffer with cough. colds or
other throat and lung troubles now.
The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1912-03-08
All Outrage and Shame.

Are we living in America or Rus
STA? Last week, the police assist
ed by the state militia at Lawrence,
Massachusetts, acted in a manner
that should call for the universal
condemnation of every man and
woman in the country who love S
liberty, not only for themselves
but for everybody else. There has
been a strike in progress in that
city for some time upon the part of
the workers in the textile factories,
which, no doubt, has occasioned
great loss to the proprietors of
those industries. If the memory of
the writer is not at fault, large
number of foreigners were import
ed to that place to take the place Of
Americans who insisted upon pay
commensurate with their service.
The foreigners In time learned that
their pay was inadequate to meet
the bare necessities of lite and
asked for an increase of pay, which
was refused and they went out on
a strike, not molesting anybody.
AS the strike progressed, they found
it impossible to feed their families
and attempted to send there child
rem elsewhere to be cared for by
friends until better times, but the
police and militia prevented,
pounding and beating men and
women with their clubs and guns,
injuring many seriously. The
writer does not favor strikes as a
general thing, but he is an Ameri-
can and believes in liberty for the
laborer as we'll as for the capital
ist.
The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1912-03-08
List Continues to Increase,

The following named citizens have
made announcement of their candidacy
for city offices at the approaching mum
icipal election:
For Mayor-Herman G. CRUDE.
For City Treasurer-Emil Tanck
Ferd. SchmutZle-.
For City Attorney. A. Kading, Gus
Buchheit, Edward f. Wieman.
For City Assessor-Herman E. Krueg
er.
For City Clerk-Frank S. Weber.
For Street Commissioner-Gus Chaser
Felix Mclaughlin, Louis Scholl.
For Alderman, First Ward-Dr. F. C.
Werner.
For Alderman, Second ward Charles
LutOvsky.
The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1912-03-08
Sedler of Weights and Measures.

At the first meeting of the common
council after the spring election a sealer
of weights and measures will be ap-
pointed by the mayor elected, whose
salary has already been fixed by the
council. Three who took the civil SER
vice examination for the appointment
passed, one of whom will receive the ap-
pOintment. In view Of the fact that we
are to have such al official, it will be
well, to have all weights and measures
tested before that official gets busy, and
see that they come up to the standard
required by law, Is ounces to the pound
and SO inches to the yard.
The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1912-03-08
Over WiggenhOrn's JeWelry StOr'

For Alderman, Third Ward-Joseph
HeOn, Fred Zipfel, G. J. Russell.
For Alderman, Fourth Ward--R. M.
Hahn.
For Alderman, Fifth Ward-Herman
TetZlaff.
For Alderman, Sixth Ward Charles
A. Kohn, F. A. Kruger.
For Alderman, Seventh Ward-Frank
Kalina.
For Supervisor, First Ward-J. F.
Prentiss.
For Supervisor, Second Ward-A.
Hoge, R. FL. Radtke.
For Supervisor, Third Ward--N.
Murphy.
For Supervisor, Fourth Ward-John
Thauer.
For Supervisor, Fifth Ward-Albert
Borchardt.
For Supervisor, Sixth Ward-Fred
Hinze.
For Supervisor, Seventh Ward-Paul
FL. Knick.
For School Commissioner, Second
Ward-A. A. Frattinger, O. c. Riebe.
For School Commissioner, Sixth Ward
w. f. VOss.
The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1912-03-08
Nineteen Miles a Second

without a jar, shock or disturb 1nce. is
space We wonder at such ease Of ma
lures movement, and 50 do those who
take DR.. Kings New Life Pills. No
gripping, no distress, just thorough work
that brings good health and fine feelings.
25c at The Gamm Corner Drug Co.
The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1912-03-08
To MOtherS-And Others.

You can use Bucklen's Arnica Salve to
cure children of eczema, rashes. letter,
chaings. scaly and crusted humors, as
we'll as their accidental injuries, cuts,
burns, bruises, ETC., with pei feet safety.
Nothing else heals so quickly. For boils,
ulcers, old, running or fever sores or
piles it has no superior. 25c al The
Gamm Corner Drug Co.
The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1912-03-08
Purse Lost

Lost, on or about January 9Th, between
the Milwaukee road depot and the busi-
ness section of WATERFOWL, a small vel
vet purse containing cameo breast pin,
ward. Address Leader office.
The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1912-03-08

Take the cure that's safest. Price 80
cents ana $1.00. Trial bottle free at The
Gamm Corner Drug Co.
The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1912-03-08

vention, Taft will have $50 votes
dead sure, and Roosevelt only 428.
The Roosevelt managers reverse
the figures and all the other candi-
dates go into the political scrap
heap. LaFollette is not taken into
consideration not even a little bit,
but it may be possible that Bob's"
friends may dictate the nomination
nevertheless.
The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1912-03-08
THOUGHTS BY THE WAY.

The Taft managers claim that il
the next republican national con-