davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-08-10
A N HIS TRIP.

Jules Verne's mythical hero went
around the world in eighty days.
Some dozen years ago Nellie Bly,
made the trip in sixty days. A few
years ago a Paris journalist took the
circuit in thirty.nine days, and now
an American has cut four days off the
~Frenchman's record, says the Mime
apolis Journal. 81 pr
Z Three causes contribute to the as.
tonishing celebrity with which a man
may now get around the world. Ono
Is that experts are now better tray.
elers. They know how to take ad.
vantage Of every minute. The second
cause is the improvement in means
of transportation and communication.
Mr.. Mears could not have made his
trip without special connections. He
could not have made those without
electric means of communication. For
example, crossing Siberia to ship
from Vladivostock his object was due
to be totally defeated by the fact that
the only boat sailing for three weeks
would not wait for him. Information
of this fact enabled him to switch his
route. BY going by and through Man
churia and Korea he was able to make
as good time as he would otherwise.
The third element which now con-
tributes to the success Of such ven
lures is the changed attitude of for
eign people toward record breaking
travellers. Jules Verne built a good
deal of the dramatic portion of his
story out of the ~unreasoning opposi-
ton Of natives Of various countries
to Fogg's progress. Mr.. Mears found
everybody willing to help him. Verne
may have exaggerated this opposition
to heighten his story. But sunQues.
tiouably there has come a great
change yer the oriental countries.
Railroads and steamship lines have
modified their mental attitude. Mis-,
sionaries and trade have contributed
to the change. This world has grown
smaller in a geographical sense. It
has grown smaller no less remark
ably in the disappearance of the hos.
tile or suspicious in human nature.
The human race has made a long
step toward brotherhood.
Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-08-10
One Run by 6. D. Croker
at AbSafkd on Scientific
Principles
Diversified Crops Wilha -Four.
Year System Of Rotation
Pays Well
BY Lester BudIon0, Tribune Over
WI - -- and = ~ --- IL IL

BY Lester BudIona, Tribune Over
Lander. Fl.
Casselton, N. D., AGg. 9.--1n answer
to the oft-heard query, do they MAKE
those large wheat farms rayT
would like to call attention to the q
d. Croker farm at Absaraka, N. j.
This farm is owned by Mr.. q. y
| Crocker, an Illinois banker. and ~
managed by Charles Wallace.
The farm consists Of three and ono.
half sections. During the present
| season there are:
1850 acres of blue stem wheat
$50 acres Of oats,
|. 1876 acres of corn.
200 acres Of summer following.
300 acres OF pasture and hay land.
From present prospects, the yield
for 1913 will be about eighty per CEN
Of the yield OF 1912. avg.
All the grain. other than wheat
is fed on the farm: while the wheat
is shipped directly to Duluth. Mr
Wallace informed me thai the trend
Of the farm towards a smaller acre
age of wheat and more livestock. Al,
present the farm has:
$50 hogs. which number is to bs
doubled next yea"..
A herd of thoroughbred shorthorn
cattle, producing about twelve to
fourteen head a ye:lr.
A herd of high grade horses. pro.
ducing about fifteen head per year.
The barn on this farm will hold
100 head OF .horses at a time. There
Is also a large storage elevator.
Mr.. Wallace follows a four.year sys-
tem of crop Hetation. During the har-
lest season,s$there are tighten men
Employed on the place, some Of whom
have been ON the place for as many
as six consecutive seasons.
The policy Of the farm management
is home trade" All the machinery,
groceries, etc., used OH the farm are
purchased in Absaraka.
The efficiency Of this management
is realized when one learns that the
farm has paid 8 IA pre- cent dividends
on the capital investor for the last
eight years, with the exception of the
seaso Of 1910, which, all will remem.
Der, vas a dry season.
PLEADS FOR WORLD PEACE.
Rome, Aug. 9.-The tenth anniver.
sary of the coronation of Pope Plus
was especially celebrated in the Sis
tine chapel at the vatican today, in
the preseiic$ Of the pontiff, the sacred
college, othe Ebapal court, patriarchs,
Hrchbishops,, bishops, heads OF reli-
gious orders and representatives OF
the Roman aristocracy.
His holiness sjgnalizeG The ami
versary Of his succession to the throne
of St. Peter by issuing a plea for in.
ternatiOnal epace. The ercyclical.
Which is regarded as one of the most
important of his reign, contains an
urgent plea summoning the Catholic
church everywhere to a worldwide
effort for permanent international
peace.
Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-08-10
TODAY IN HISTORY
August 10.

August 10.
1675-Greenwich observatory estab.
.5 lished.
17e4-Civil government established in
Quebec. ,-tE s., q1 r.
lS14-British blockading SQUADRON
%bombarded Stonington. Conn.
1821-Missouri admitted to statehood.
1861-Gen. Lyon killed at the battle
of Wilson's Creek. Mo.
1S93-First Cinnamon deported from
San Francisco under the Geary
act.
19l2-Gen. r. s. Brown selected as
Republican candidate for gov
ernOr OF Ohio.
Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-08-10

A prisoner in Maine released at the
end of athifty-four years said he had
spent the tine In trying to be useful
and that such . life could not be .
failure. This PHILOSOPHER ought to
do we'll now that he Is at large.
Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-08-10
AnT,.AL,EN LAW IN FORCE.

San francisco, Cal, Aug. 9:--The
Webb anti-alien law, passed by the
California legislature last spring and
which called forth a vigorous protest
from Japan and is still a subject Of
diplomatic negotiation between that
country and the United States. will
come into effect tomorrow. The law
prohibits aliens from owning land in
California. While applying to all
aliens alike the law affects mostly
the Japanese, who Of late years have
acquired extensive land holdings in
California and who are obliged to re-
main aliens because of the law de-
barring them from citizenship.
Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-08-10

h 80
, John Lind OF Minnesota Is to 90 to
Mexico as the personal representa-
tive OF President Wilson, and is en-
trusted with a most delicate task.
according 10 Washington dispatches
He is to consult both Provisional
President Huerta and the leaders o.!
the revolt against his authority, with
q view to the resignation OF Office BY
Huerta. the agreement OF the factions
upon q candidate for the presidency
and an election. the fairness of which
shall be assured in advance. A task
for q NetJernich or q Bismarck! But
Mr.. Lind. who has served two terms
in congress and n term as COVER
nor Of Minnesota, is wholly without
diplomatic training or experience. He
Il unable to speak Spanish, a fact
which need not interfere much in ne
gotiations with either Huerta or Car
rama. both of whom can use Eng
lish. Negotiations with such leaders
as Zapata. Orozco and others at the
heads of small bands of cutthroats
and pMnderers. are evidently not con-
templated in Mr.. Lind's instructions.
The president has never considered
these bandit forces and has appeared
20 look upon the rev%olutionists as &C.
cupying a position analogous to that
Of the ~Confederacy toward the United
States in the SOS. That delusion we
believe to be his fundamental error.
The ~Confederacy was a government
in all the word implies. 1t had but
n army, mobile in all OF it's parts
and commanded by gentleman SOL
diers. 1t held seaports and custom
houses, maintained a dozen state gov
arnments, had all the machinery OF
4 national government in a national
capital. and was. in every particular.
a military power.
In Mexico the enemies of the HUI
erta government do not hold a single
seaport. The Huerta government
controls all of them, and regulates
imports and exports through them.
In halt of the twenty-seven Mexican
states, we. are informed by an author
ity that seems to be reliable, there
Is no more Of a state of warfare than
there was in Ohio or New York in
the sos. These states include all. Of
the greater ones, such as Jalisco.
Vera Cruz. Puebla. Oaxaca, and Guam
ajato, and the federal district, in
GLIDING the City of Mexico. The
states that are more or less troubled
by rebellion are Tanaulipas. :Tabas-
co, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nueyo Leon.
Durango, Zacatecas, Aguascalientes,
Hidalgo, Morelos, Sonora. Sinaloa. Co
lima and Michoacan. Less than half
. dozen towns Of more than 10000
inhabitants are in rebel hands. while
towns and cities Of more than 100000
people are in the u%ndisputed control
Of the government.
Sending q minister plenipotentiary
and envoy extraordinary to propose
abdication, which would be surren-
De-, to . man in Huerta's military
position. is something as to which we
behave even Col. Roosevelt would
hesitate. But II the Hon. John Lind
could patch up . peace between HUI
cts and Carranza, what is to be done
With Oro5co. and what with Zapata,
Mo speak nothing but Spanish.
which INF. Lind can't speak ct ALI
Thers may even be some reason to
~ that both Huerta and Csrranzaa
nay - inclined TO feel i ansaifront
Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-08-10
|%OYERLANDER Tells HOW
A BIG farm IS MANAGED

parents in Minnesota. There he saw
a banking opportunity, went after It,
organized 4 bank and then wired he
was not returning to Schafer as nc
expected to be made president of his
own bank.
Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-08-10

Parcel post has enlarged the e Y
enue of the department and its fur
Their Improvement ought to be regard
ed as the natural result.
Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-08-10

The women Of Salem, ILL.,, have or
ganized to study the value of the bal
lot. One of the most important rules
is: Swat the demagogue.
Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-08-10

Turkey defies all Europe by reoc'
cupying Adrianople. The eventual
reply of Europe will be to dispose Of
Constantinople.
Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-08-10

Postmaster General Burleson sticks
to 1t that parcel post rates a be
further reduced. The foreign SEIZED.
ules Of postal charges back him up.
Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-08-10

Hunters at Bowden and vicinity
anticipate a big supply OF prairie
chickens for Sept.7 and the square
ones are conspiring to make war on
the 'sOoners."
Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-08-10

Mrs. Pankhurst is to be treated
with TRANSMISSION. of blood. Medical
science is too much for any system
of self%-StarvatiOn. -'
Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-08-10

Among the civic improvements at
Bowdon is the removal OF the hitch
ing posts from the main street to side
streets, thus improving the principal
business thoroughfare to 4 verv no.
ticeable extent.
Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-08-10

If the democrats party undertakes
to move the crops by rag.baby power
the result Is more likely to be fnan
cial adversely than an agricultural
boom.
Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-08-10
CONGRATULATIONS TO-:

Justice Joseph McKenna, of the SUI
prene court Of the United States. 70
years old today.
Rear Admiral Charles E. Clark. U.
S. n, retired, 70 years old today.
Rear Admiral George G. Remey. U.
$. n, retired. u years old today.
Horace Fletcher. originator of
"Fletcherism." or the science of the
mastication Of food. Ga years old
today.
Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-08-10

, Mexico will never find the right
road. as. long as its ruling passion is
an absurd hostility to Americans.
Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-08-10
BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY
Dr., Laur Larson.

DR.. Laur Larson, one of the great
leaders Of the Norwegian Lutherans
in America. was born in Christian
sand, Norway, Aug. 10, 1888. and re-
ceived his theological training at the
University of C%hristiania. He came
to America in 1857 and for two years
did missionary work among the Nor
wcgian settlements in Wisconsin.
When the Norwegian Lutherans in
the West decided to establish a col.
lege for the training Of their ministers
they selected DR.. Larson to carry out
the project. The college was estab-
lished at DEBORAH, Iowa, and for II
years DR.. Larson remained at it's head.
retiring from the presidency last
January on account Of age. During
his long and notable career he has
exerted great influence on the life
and thought Of his .countrymen
through his work as e teacher. pastor
and editor.
Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-08-10

Iowa reports its finest wheatcroD.
HOBBS will avoid the state as a SUN
a. e" = ""- 'r..-
mer resort this season.
Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-08-10

Turkey is burning III Bulgarian vii
lagos. The sick man Of. Europe is
feeling better. "''' ."' 20"
Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-08-10

In a story of fighting in Mexico the
safest punctuation is a free use Of the
interrogation mark -
Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-08-10

A kindergarten is to be added to
Harvard. Perhaps this is the begin
ming Of the end of college English.
Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-08-10

In a New Hampshire town Of 1000
inhabitants 200 have undergone oper-
ations for appendicitis. There's a
chance to study local color
Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-08-10

It is a wise Balkan state that can
tell whether it won or lost in the re-
cent hostilities. 2
Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-08-10
s. So -: :. &
: BRIEF NOTES FROM !:
: THE REALM OF FASHION :

Fail hats VIII be small and medium
shapes. with soft draped crown effects
All the new coats or wraps are
drawn very close around the figure
from the knee down.
Bumble-bees made of lace or ma.
lines r to be seen poised on some
Of the latest hats to be favored this
fall.
Anyone knowing the whereabouts
Of Vester and 10y Griswold will con.
fer q favor by notifying N. r. Girls.
void. lngomar, Rosebud Co., Mon
tana, their father. Aug. 2, 1913.
Other papers please copy.
Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-08-10

The assistant cashier Of a bank at
Schafers went away on his vacation
which was spent at the home Of his
Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-08-10
News Of tho State

1 .L- g#F-TF Il
Manning has a we'll equipped gun
club.
49,
The band at Westhopc has been
recognized.
The Journal at Cakes begins its
seventh year this week.
Copperstown people are icriticising
the telephone service.
49,
The gravel streets at Rugby are
| pronounced to. be a great success.
The people at Lansford thank the
manager Of the fair recently held at
Bottineau.
One or two substantial stone farm
houses are in course Of erection near
Manning.
1t is said a great many colored men
are seeking work in the harvest fields
this year.
Z A new banking house foN the
Citizens bank at Rugby, is in course
of erection. .... .,
After seven years absence a barber
has returned to the town of his first
love-Rugby.
-
The total rainfall at Langdon during
July was 1888 inches, divided up into
seven showers.
Crops about Kathryn are reported
to be very fair and the cutting of
wheat is now in progress.
-
A lodge of Woodmen Of the World
has been instituted at Cooperstowp
with a charter list of thirty members.
--:-
A popular teacher at Lansford has
been selected for a prominent posi-
ton in the public schools at Cambria.
Wyo "sf
.-. ... - " .. '. ... |
The people Of Neville are agitating
for better express service and the
stopping there of one Of the fast
trains.
The Transcript at New Rockford
is decidedly optimistic in referring to
the prospective corn crop Of Eddy
county.
1t Is said that some Of the best
small grain in the states is to he seen
the Harry 'Buterfield farm near
Schafer. :3ssaAEt@s- i%r+"s+
The organization of til eNortonvllle
State bank has been completed and 1t
will be opened Sept. 1 with George
Steele of LaMoure as cashier.
The contract has been let for the
construction Of the Benson county az
school, at Maddox. The'
building complete will cost Sal, 1923.
III :SAo<Ns
The new school. building at Baowdon
Is to be Of brick and the contractor
has given his word that the structure
will be ready for school use on Oct.
L. E!
The park commission at Rugby is
under fire for the expenditure of $500
for a band stand, when it is alleged
the grounds need beautifying so bad.
ly. egS ....
Farmers near Crystal are warming
the owners of bird dogs that the lat
ter must be kept off the farms, or
they will be shot the same as a wolf
be. -l"t
Large crowds attended the Grain
festival at Ray. The large
number Of entries was a surprise to
the management and big things will
be arranged for next year.
The board of education at Wahpe.
ton has selected woman to be sup
e%rintendent Of the city schools-the
board promoted Miss Martha Fulton.
principal Of the high school for sew.
Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-08-10

Suppose the anticipating ordinance
should be subjected to the test Of q
referendum.
Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-08-10
!. :. :. = (: : =
is THIS YOUR MOTTO7

C. p. Slime.
Not what the Commercial
CLUB and the city will do for me,
but what | can do for Bismarck
through the Commercial club.
Think this over.
Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-08-10
MR. LIMBS STRANGE MISSION

!. :: !. =. =. :. = !. = :, ::
Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-08-10

LaMoure county will have a gener-
al exhibit at the state inductrial ex-
hibition at Bismarck in September.
John ~Freyberger of the Corn Bridge"
fame will have charge of the pre-.
paratiOn of the exhibit.
Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-08-10

Manning has a we'll equipped gul
club.
Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-08-10

The board of education at Wahpe.
ton has selected a woman to be sup.
erintendent OF the city schools-the
board promoted Miss Martha Fulton.
principal Of the high school for sew.
eral years. All 5srt. - !
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-06-20
|RRENCY BILL FAILS
/ TO EXCITE INTEREST
30 Information From Washington Disre-
garded By the Spectators on
Stock Exchange.

andcina ting the action Of the directors
AFTER the close, when the shares wsrs
again placed on per cent dividend
The action OF the French bsnkers IN
promoting loans to the Balkan states un-
tl peace can be assured was fayora hlv
received in banking circles This, follow
ing the action OF the German financiers
IN discourasins outside flota tIons. has di
rected attention to our own bond ma rket
where advances in some of the leading
issues OF from / to points had been re
corded since the stock market started 10
improve a week ago. Bankers are watch
ing the preparatio under way for the
financing OF the July disbursements. To-
cally no disturbance need be expected
Berlin mixers have raised their bids to
% per cent for sixty-day loans, without
however. securing funds About a wear
ago German houses paid as high as 65 per
cent for funds and it is believed that
similar bid would be attractive now
Railroad gross earnings for the second
week In June showed the following in
crea ses.
500 line, Is per cent: Colorado South
ern, 10 per cent. Minneapolis s. ST.
Louis, II per cent, and the National Rail
ways Of Mexico made loss OF about )
per cent,
Crop news was In the main satisfac-
tory. Rains were reported from many
sections. although 1t is recognized that
more moisture Is needed
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-06-20
HARVEST IN KANSAS
SENDS WHEAT DOWN
kumors of Poor Crops Prove
to Be False; Corn and Oats
Also OFF.

CHICAGO. June 19.-Bountiful returns
from harvest fields in Kansas, where
farmers thought the wheat crop almost
fo1nea iodne, a fortnight ago. sent the market
was weak at loss of 1sc to 1tc net
Corn finished &c to s9sc off, and oats
at az cd decline OF shade to s@sc: In pro-
ctsions ct the outcome varied from un
changed TO 15c higher.
cutting Of wheat was general today all
over Kansas and little cutting has all
ready been done in Nebraska. The yields
reported We're surprising. For example
aaVlces from Wichita, Kan. told of
twenty bushels to the acre and the grain
was said TO be heavier as the cutters
toor motheu ,, nortn: In addition. the bears
LOOK notice OF statements that the Mis-
souri, crop would be OF record size largely
onsetting any loss In Kansas.
Good rains In North Dakota and less
PeSslmistlc tidlngs from South Dakota
fields gave reason early for discourage
ment on the part OF the wheat bulls.
When this condition was emphasized by
lear OF big shipments Of new grain. the
resulting weakness became so pronounced
that the sale of 1000 bushels of cash
%heat here failed to check the decline in
tutures. More than half OF the amount.
TOO, was for export
Seaboard clearanccs of wheat and 6our
were equal to $4,000 bushels Primary
receipts Of wheat were $50, 900 bushels:
year ago: 276000 bushels
Oniclal reports OF continued drought
started the corn market sharp higher.
out later private advices OF fair rains In
sections OF Illinois and In the southwest
caused prices to break
Selling from the large elevator COM
panies oVercame an excited buying furry
m oats. Unfavorable crop reports from
Important producing states We're what
stimulated the desire TO purchase
provisions were mainly affected by an
advance In the price OF hogs. Offerings
remained scanty until a fair Improve
ment had been reached
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-06-20
Coffee Futures Steady.

NEW YORK, June 1s.-Coffee futures
opened steady at decline of three to
nine points in response to lower Euro
pean cables. Prices rallied slightly right
after the call on covering but the cost
and freight ma rket WINS said to be
shade lower There were reports that
consigned coffee held here had been sold
under prevailing quotations late yes
terday. and the market soon eased off
again under liquidation or a renewal OF
bear pressure, Closed steady. July.
Q 42c; September. 9.67c; October, a72c,
December. a.Slc: January. 9e4c, March.
9.9fc; May 99Sc.
Spot, quiet Rio No. 7, 1oo: Santos
No. 4, +.l2ac; mild. dull: Cordova, lag
lie nominal
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-06-20
] pPOADAN WALL.
Nare SArYice.

|,-,Honal News SV'
rw June ls.-Today's stock
4 IoSh,, reflect any speculative
hllta " o,,Tency bill as outlined
p i1e M ~newspapers. Although
r'nlns had been devoted 10 the
= d spssSs ,Ss various provisions as a
y .. ''t tsev could not be meas
2 hs'o'' sn,allest OF fractions, nor
M " nTonr IN disregarding the
y re-, fIss.,nstion furnished, for word
VM,,sshineton that the text in
~ y ne public might be sub
II ?, W. ~ Sy the president. Secre-
D c'1ns, c'n, representative Class.
E% E%,,,d u Irregulurly and after an
e Trmness relapsed into ex-
Y with fractional declines.
iI,tle selling for foreign ac-
y me exhausted itself within
Y r Then there was a minor
2. Toolworth. the stock dTopplng
!: y "s ri, With a rurnor OF difficulty
!. 2 =. mans covering a block OF
- 'e The prices rallied to a0s at
= p, suIl and copper heavy. Trade
- The copper market continued
y y, Donisyofable nature and lower
~ metal are openly predicted.
u,s, was shed on the Union
= p,rifIc segregation plan, and
n. swung idly within a narrow
o.,,no Il Western were firm,