davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-10-01

The determination of the postmaster
general to make the postal service
pay a revenue to the government, ap-
pears to have borne fruit. The con-
ferees on the tax bill have agreed
lupon an increase in both first and sec
ond class rates. Even war conditions
can scarcely be regarded as justifytng
this radical departure from time
honored custom. 1t has never been
the policy of the government to make
a profit on the circulation of infor-
nation or on private correspondence.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-10-01
FIGHT SPIRIT LAGS
azsffs &c f9r'znas(1
German Stamina DeteriOrating,
Says Secretary Baker.
British Repeatedly Prove Their
Superiority in Battle.
TO CUT OFF UsBOAIu,RASE
Germany Realizes Desperate
Blow Being Dealt at Ypres.
Mobilization of New e. s. Army
Progressing Rapidly.

Washington, Oct. Shaken, but
still powerful is the estimate of Ger
many's defensive strength along the
western front, given in this weeks Of
fetal communicate, issued by the war
department. The superiority of the
British over their enemies, the COM
munique says, has conclusively been
proved by the last weeks fighting
while it has demonstrated that the
fighting stamina of the Germans Is de-
teriorating.
OF the activities of the American
forces in Europe the communique says
absolutely nothing. OF the forces at
home, it reports mobilization of the
national guard and the national army
proceeding satisfactorily. The analysis
of the situation on the west front
which the communique says remains
the principal battle of the war fol-
lows:
One of Wars Greatest Battles.
THE battle of Menin roads Cypress
salienD. which promises to be one of
the greatest battles of the war, is fol-
lowing its normal course. Last week
we recorded the gains of the British
in this sector. This week we must
record the desperate attempt made by
the Germans to retake the lost posi-
lions.
Beginning Sunday last the con-
stantly increasing violence of the
counter attacks reached a elimination
on September 27. when seven powerful
onslaughts by the picked storm bat
talions of the enemy endeavored vainly
to regain the lost detectives. The viii
lage of Zonnebeke, the center of the
conflict, is now firmly held by the
British.
1T is evident that the efforts of the
enemy in this sector are not actuated
merely by the desire to regain lost
terrain of little more than tactical
value, nor, must their persistent at
lacks be considered merely the normal
reaction of modern field engagement
in which counter attacks Invariably
follows upon attack, but rather it is to
be noted that the enemy realizes fully
the immense strategic Importance of
the British thrust along the Menin
road.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-10-01
P0MP FOR DEAD FEINER
Irishman Who Died in Prison Given
Great Funeral in Dublin

Dublin, Oct. 1.-The funeral pro-
cession which followed the body of
Thomas Ashe. the Sim Fem leader
who died Thursday. from the city hall
to Glasnovin cemetery yesterday was
extremely large, exceeding even that
of the ParneT funeral in 1891. The
procession was very well organized and
perfect order was kept
The government authorities did not
interfere with the demonstration. The
embittered feeling over the death of
Ashe was much allayed by a change
in the policy of the treatment of pris-
oners under the defense of the realm
act The prisoners are now allowed
to associate together and are separated
from the ordinary criminals. They are
also allowed to receive food from the
outside The hunger strike has been
abandoned
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-10-01
PRICE UP-ANYHOW
Govt Threats Not Worrying Milk
Observation-Disclosures Pays f3 Cents.

Chicago, Oct. 1.-Chicago began
paying 3 cents quart for milk to-
day and will continue to pay that thru
October-unless city, state or federal
authorities interfere.
The new retail price is based on the
wholesale price of S3.42 a hundred
pounds recently fixed by the Mix
Producers association. which is under
investigation as a trust ----. ..aT.s~e4s.8
Jumps Cents in Milwaukee.
Milwaukee, Wis, Oct. Retail
milk prices were advanced from 9 to
IL cents a quart and from to cents
a pint in Milwaukee today.
simultaneously it was announced
that Assistant Attorney General Drew
will begin his inyestigationAof the rise
today. He indicated that prosecution
may result when he said dealers may
find it serious before 1t is over"
2-Ccnt Increase at K.<C.
Kansas City, Oct Advances in
milk prices were announced today by
dairies of this city making a price of
twelve and twelve and one-half cents
a quart for IA" grade milk, a two
cent increase. A majority of the dair-
les also announced "a two-cent increase
in 3, and c. grade milks. Certified
milk has been advanced from seven
teen cents to twenty cents a quart.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-10-01

tons in 1890. 100000 tons in 1900.
$50. 900 tons in 1910, 100000 tons in
1918 and 1.4OO,O 900 in 1916. The United
States output has more than kept pace
with this rapid growth of world pro-
duction, our share of the world total
having been $50 in 1913 and $3.50 in
1916. World production increased ap-
proximately 402o in the swear period
1886; that of the United States
about 60es.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-10-01

All money sent from America for
relief work in Syria, it is reported, is
received and distributed, but the value
of the dollar is often as low asstwenty-
eight cents. Flour. according to the
latest figures received. was selling for
sixty cents pound, while five pounds
of molasses brought $3.20. An ordi-
nary spool of thread costs sixty cents.
The average day laborer is paid sixty
cents a day in paper money.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-10-01
SINK U. S. CRAFT
Down OF U. S. Coast After
Collision With Unknown.
All 125 Crew Safe-Trying To
Raise Patrol Ship.

Washington, Oct IAN American
patrol ship on duty off an Atlantic
port was rammed and sunk early to-
day by an unknown craft.
The incident reported to the navy
department was officially announced
as follows:
"A coast guard vessel on patrol
duty off an Atlantic port was rammed
and sunk by an unknown ship early
today. The work of raising the
sunken vessel will be begun at once
Every effort is being made to ascer-
tain the identity of the ship which
crashed into the patrol boat.
The navy department was advised
later that there had been no casual
ties, tho a patrol boat carries about
125 men
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-10-01
DEATHS AND FUNERALS

MRS. MARTHA RANSOM. age 90, died
Sunday at the home of her daughter, Mrs.
ID. Scott 1854 Lane street. She was the
mother of Rubus Knott at the city hall !:
Capt. Louis Knott, of fire station No. 3:
Mrs. Emma West and Mrs. d. Scott. The
funeral Will be held from the Shiloh Bap-
fist church Tuesday afternoon at O'Clock.
Burial in Richie cemetery. The remains
may be viewed at the home from 10 o'clock
Tuesday morning until 1 O'Clock in the
afternoon.
The infant son of Mr.. and Mrs. A. A.
Laseym, 1919 East 1iSth street died Sunday
at the home of his parents. The funeral
was held this afternoon. Burial in Mt.
Calvary cemetery.
DAVID s. KINZER died this morning at
local hospital. Funeral arrangements
have not been completed.
Lords Flowers Satisfy Tel. ST.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-10-01
RUN mitchell AGAIN
Great Demonstration Today-LaunciI
Reelection Campaign.

New York. Oct 1.-while the
grand jury made ready to start its
investigation of alleged fraud in New
York's primary election, a big DEM
onstration in favor of Mayor Mitchell
was planned for today by hackers
who want him to run as an indepen-
dent.
MitcheFs campaign was launched
today when full page advertisements
appeared in newspapers, urging re-
election of the mayor.
The Mitchell demonstration is
scheduled for city hall park. Speeches
will be made by Charles E. Hughes,
Alton B. Parker and others. The
demonstration will take the form of
a popular nomination and Mitchell,
speaking from the city hall steps. is
expected to accept it.
Mitchell Says He'll Run.
New York. Oct Mayor Mitchell
today announced he would run for re-
election as an independent. He told
a crowd of 10000 massed in front of
the city hall that he would be a can
didate to save the city from Murphy
and Tammany hall and from the
treacherous tongue and mind of
Hearst p"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-10-01

A comparison of the pay of privates
in the American, English, French and
German armies shows what advan-
tages the soldiers under the Stars and
Stripes enjoy in the way of monetary
recompense for their services. The
American soldier gets $50 month, or
$3.50 a year; the English solJier. $50;
the French. $50, and the German $3S
a, year. And there are other consid-
erations which cannot be measured in
money.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-10-01

More American goods were sold to
the West Indies in 1915 than to the
entire continent of South America,
says a report issued by the Bureau of
Foreign and Domestic Commerce, of
the department of commerce. The
West Indies. including Porto Rico,
took $191. 1871 worth of goods
made in the United States during that
year, whereas the sum total of Ameri-
IN shipments. to South America was
| 77.62S.611
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-10-01

HAVE A SEA BATTLE
Italian Destroyers Squadron Shells
Austrian warshfps Near France.

Rome, Oct. Italian destroyers
last night inflicted damage on Aus
trian destroyers in a chase from near
Ferara to Parenso. an official state
ment declared today.
The Austrian war vessels were sup
ported by hydroplanes and were en-
gagged in bornbarding Ferara when the
Italian squadron approached
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-10-01

1t is said that a farmer recently
sold a carload of wheat at the pre-
vailing market price in Nebraska, re-
ceiving for it s653.O1, and that if he
had sought to buy back, at present
prices, the flour, shorts, and bran
which the wheat produced, he would
have been asked to pay $2,107.05. The
difference. mere matter of $1.454.02,
according to this narrative, represents
the profits which the consumer pays.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-10-01

The worlds copper production. past
and present, is outlined in a statistical
statement just issued by the National
City bank of New York. 1t shows that
the world production Of copper. which
totaled less than 100000 tons in 1850
and 1S0,o 900 tons in 1860, was PIP. 900
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-10-01
GIRL BURNED TO DEATH
Automobile Turned Over and Com
panions Unable to Extricate Her.

Chicago, Oct Miss Grace Nc
vey, "a high school girl of Gary, Ind,
was burned to death late yesterday
when she was pinned beneath an au-
tomobile.
Miss McVey was motoring with her
uncle and aunt, Mr.. and Mrs. John M.
McVey of Gary. between Chicago and
that city when the car skidded and
went into ditch. The car caught fire
and the man and woman were power
less to extricate the girl.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-10-01
RUSS EXPECT AIR RAID
Petrograd Prepares Defense With
Series of Observation Posts.

Petrograd, Oct. 1.-The Russian
capital is preparing seriously to resist
air raids. A series of observation
posts within a radius of 200 miles
have been established. Airplane
patrols are on duty and arrangements
have been made for darkening the
city when the approach of enemy air
men is announced by the blowing of
sirens
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-10-01
INDICT TEN OF THE w. c. U.
More Arrests Follow Grand jury
Findings in Oklahoma Uprising.

Findings in Oklahoma Uprising.
McAllister, Okla, Oct; Federal
agents today were busily engaged
rounding up the members of the
Working Glass union who are not
lodged in the state penitentiary fol-
lowing the indictment of ten members
of the organization by the grand jury.
The indicted men are all charged with
participation in the Oklahoma anti
draft riots of this summer, and prac-
tically all have been held in the peni-
tertiary since the time of the rioting.
The men will be given preliminary
hearings this week
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-10-01
EXIT, EVERY ALIEN
Germany Orders All Foreigners Not
Making Munitions Out of Country.

Amsterdam, Oct. 1.-The Telegraf
says bill is being prepared in Berlin
authorizing the German government
in view of the scarcity of foodstuffs
to remove from the country all for
eigners not employed in war indus
tries. The bill probably will be en-
forced within month,
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-10-01

An eastern newspaper hearing that
western farmers are feeding wheat to
their live stock, blames this action on
the distillers. Figure it out for your
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-10-01
weekly Bank ,Clearings.

New York, Oct. Bank clearings in the
United States for the week ending Septem-
Der %, as reported to Bradstreet's, aggre-
gate So S07, 55f. GOO, against So $40 1SS 600 the
previous week and So, 451 ,203, 900 in the cor
responding week last year. Following are
the returns with percentages of change:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-10-01

3 Formulating new peace terms seems
likely to become a habit with the
kaiser before he begins to realize on
them
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-10-01

1'hp TODpkn State journal IntOrmHtIOH
Rureau at Washington furnishes readers,
free Of charge, accurate and authoritative
answers 20 questions on any aud al SUI SUI
be had from the unparalleled resources OF
the various federal government depart
meu4s md the great library of congress:
A 2-cent stamp for return postage must
accompany each inquiry. Etate clearly t1e
information wanted, write plainly ahu au-
THE TOPEKA STATE JOURNAL IN
FORMATION BUREAU,
Washington, d. C.
" p-Iroutrers should be careful to OBJ
serve two points: Enclose 2-cent stahp
and address their letters to washington
a. above and not to Topeka, otherwise de-
Law and needless exuense are incurred.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-10-01

The kaiser would like to have
"peace with honor" But who is to
furnish the honor?
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-10-01

Lords Flowers Satisfy. Tel. s27.-
Adv
Pioneer press. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1882-19??, 1917-04-14
SUPPLY SERVICE
By RED CROSS
Branches in All States Will Collect
Gifts for United States
Forces.

1'L. I,oI l,,-.- C,,,I. I,
,,o,. o,.a,,,:...,.:
,,,,.', ''',' 40
- ,onu.1 49,, 5;,..:,',
:
,,
i,ai,.;,,,
ITood,,,,,r.o,.. ,,.i,, -,
+o, ,.;.h ,.,,....
tom Cniooaa Dou 49,. ~,
o,a Co. ,,. ~,
Co. 49,, ~ O''''' '' oi-
80 > '0''' II - "i'''""i'o0"'
Pioneer press. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1882-19??, 1917-04-14

the better. That was six years ~
and | am still here and am well
strong woman, and I owe my life To
Cardui | had only taken half thu
bottle when I began to feel better.
The misery in my side got less.-. 4
continued right on taking the CGrdui
until | had taken three bottles and q
did not need any more for 1 was wen
and never felt better in my life. I
have never had any trouble from that
day to this"
10 vow suffer from headache. back.
ache, pains in sides, or other discom::
forts, each month? Or do YOU feel
weak, nervous and fagged-out? II 80,
%:Ec Cardui, the woman's tonic. =
trial. r IL
Pioneer press. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1882-19??, 1917-04-14

house TO the street, and notified
some wUrkmcn, who we're putting in
a sewer, that Floyd had attempted to
kill her and then himself. At that
time blood was streaming from her
throat, and one Of her hands gave
evidence Of having come in contact
with knife.
The workmcn notified police head
quarters and Officer Charles Riddle
and Constable Lee Lewis went to the
scene. They arrested Floyd, and
brought him before Justice. Harry
$. Thompson, who committed him to
Jail to await hearing, the statement
having been made that the woman
was suffering with an attack Of asth-
ma, and was unable to come down
town.
It is also said that Floyd made a
statement 10 the officials that he and
the woman were up stairs, and he
went down after s. table knife, in
tending TO commit a double deed,
but when he returned his nerve fail.
ed. However, he did strike the wo-
man, according to his statement a
cross the throat and on ono hand,
ana then used the knife on his own
throat, doing no serious damage.
1T is expected that Floyd will be
given hearing this evening or to.
morrow before Justice Thompson,
Pioneer press. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1882-19??, 1917-04-14
SPEECH By WILSON
"HYMN OF FREEDOM"
SAY ITALY'S DEPUTIES

President Wilson yesterday
received the following address
from former Premier Luzatti
and 81 other italian deputies
at Rome:
"Tour message, with it's ideal
beauty and its political con-
tents, brings us back to that
dawn Of civilization when the
United States, inspired by
Washington, gave to the 3D.
pressed peoples of Europe and
Of the two Americas the fruit
tul example of their redemption.
Your message is not addressed
to the United States alone, but
TO all humanity, and awakens
nob'est instincts among free
nations. Your message is the
hymn Of freedom.
"ItaIy, who by taiIsome sIav-
cry learned to love free and
national government, and
who, having experienced the Bit
terness Of evil governments,
longs for the liberation Of all
peoples groaning under despotic
rulers, thanks you and accIaims
you and in your acclains the
great republic Of the United
States"
Pioneer press. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1882-19??, 1917-04-14
EDDYSTONE DEATH
TOLL REACHES 14|'2 2
Many Persons Died Horrible Deaths
Last Night-But Few of Dead
Identified.
iBV United Press.

PHILADELPHIA, Pa, April IL
The latest figures ohtainaDle place
the death toll Of the Eddystone NUM-
ton disaster at 145, many dying hor-
rlble deaths last night. The list may
reach $50. Two arrests have been
made and other suspects are IN
der surveillance. But few Of the dead
have been identified.
Pioneer press. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1882-19??, 1917-04-14
Pupils To WORK ON
|0k|O COUNTY
tounty Superintendent Offers Serv-
ices of 1000 Boys and
Girs.

County superintendent Of Schools
Fl. LazHar has offered the farmers
Fl Ohio county the services Of more
han 1000 BOYS and girls II to Is
ears old, to relieve the farm labor
portage and as move to solve the
Ugh cost of living problem.
SThe schools will be closed a few
ays during the planting season so
BAT the boys may assist in that work
ld after schools close the boys and
rls will spend all their time on the
rms of the county An effort will
made to set a record in food pro
ction in Ohio county.
Pioneer press. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1882-19??, 1917-04-14

IN every way possible the FEAST Of
which is to aid the soldiers Of this
country in the discharge of their
'Ut+es and to submit to any temper.
aTy Inconvenience without complaint
Fear in MIND that these are not
normal times. We must be patriotic
and not nurmur at imaginary indioni.
ties.
John j. Cornweu,
Governor.
Pioneer press. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1882-19??, 1917-04-14

THE order issued to National Guard
Hadquarters undoubtedly applies tc
states. If that is true. a number OF
hrtinsburg boys now with COMPANY
at Camp Cornwell will soon return
me.
Pioneer press. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1882-19??, 1917-04-14
GOVERNOR APPEALS
TO ALL CITIZENS
TO AID SOLDIERS
CORNWELL SENDS OUT APPEAL
TO PEOPLE'oF WEST
VIRGINIA
oTATE MILITIA WILL PROBABLY
BE SENT TO GUARD
PLACES
CHEF EXECUTIVE OF STATE
sATa WEST vIRGINIANs
ARE PATRIOTIC
. Q 0

War cannot be conducted witbou,
Inconvenience" was the doc,oro,io,,
Of Governor Cor,tynn wbou 10 watt,
thc statement DECLARING +bo+ j. ,,,
the duty Of tbo citiyon. of WAIST W.,
gini;r to aid their country wbon mas
sible and TO aid the so,d;ors who
have been nlacod on g,ara a,+u :,
the state octin,, ,,,,,o ia..t;
from fhe federal yove,n,,o,t
In some instances ,bro,obo,,4 49,.
state t,.oro bavo ,oor ,,o;,
made of citizens bcinu stonroa nv.
soldiers on uuard dr,,, -r1,,t :. ro
cisoIv what tha sor3iOrs n,,,o hoo,,
ordered to do to rroven+ ,ba 1ostruc-
ton OF nrOnertv in Vast ,7iroirio b,,
subjects and svmnathizor, of +,o
German o,,,iro o,, .,,o ro,
statement NAV have +bo ofcoc+ -,
.,,,ino. +ho 1:r. 90 .oa,,, 49,, 80,
10 half whom ordnro9
When the two regiments Of 1hr
West Virginia National Cuard arc
fullv mobolizcd if i ovnac+od tho+
rhe guardsmen. WORKING nndor orders
rom the federal government will he
scattered throra1orf tho ....o 49,,
90lice dutv looking tow9rd the nro.
cotton Of all property essential to
de nation in the conduct q war wiz,
the German nation.
While the presence Of trooDs on
railroad bridges and other public
works may Inconvenience those not
accustomed to restraint the neccss.
ity of this character Of police work is
well organized bv the Government
authorities and Covornor Cor,,o,,
SKIS for tho co-onoro+ion or +bo ,,h
lie with those in authority in the fol.
lowing statement.
TO THE PEOPLE OF WEST viz
GINA:
have received letters from, iii
zens of the e+a+e con,,.,i
being held up by troops on Guard ~
certain points and whs fee, that +bey
have thereby sufferer an in1ic,,;+v
hope all citizens Of this state wit,
bear in mind:
First THAT this country is IN -,
state Of war with corejon mower
which has many subjects and svm.
Pioneer press. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1882-19??, 1917-04-14
AT7E:MPT TED DOUBLE
CRIME IS CHARGE
AGAINST FLOYD

IT IS ALLEGED He TRIED TO
KILL VIOLA GREGORY AND
THEN HIMSELF
AFFAIR TOOK PLACE AT HOME
OF WOMAN YESTERDAY ON
BOYD AVENUE
FLOYD IS NOW IN JAIL AWAIT.
INC HEARING BEFORE JUS
TICE THOMPSON
According TO statements a horrible
tragedy came near being enacted late
yesterday afternoon at the home Of
Viola Gregory, Boyd avenue, when
J. W. Floyd attempted to take her
life, and then commit suicide. 1t an.
pears, if reports are true, that Floyd
has been spending some time at the
home Of Miss Gregory, who lives
alone, and that yesterday afternoon
While they were up stairs difficulty
arose.
Miss Gregory rushed from the
Norwich bulletin., 1917-09-05
AT. ROCKVILLE sENp-oFF
South Coventry Home Guard Receives Flag Before Leaving for District Demonstration.

The South Coventry Home Guard was in Rockville. Tuesday afternoon, attending the demonstration for the drafted men in that district
 The men were ordered to fall in on the grass in front of the Coventry ' Center school. Nearly all the com pany. which is composed of 57 men and three officers. was present. While grass, J. s. Champlin presented a handsome 4x6 flag to the guard. on behalf Of the following citizens who had contributed for it's purchase: Geo. FLedoyt, F. J. Cyrs. L. w.=Daniels and tJ- s. Champ1fn. The flag was re- eeived by Captain Wolf of the Home Guards who thanked MT. Champlin and the men answered with three cheers.
 The company left in about twenty automobiles furnished by some of Covx entry's patriotic citizens.
 Six of the Coventry Civil war vet erans, Albert P. Wcodworth. Charles H. Tripp, Jasper S. Harris. c. M. Bee be, Jerome B. Snow and Hudson Aus tin, Henry Bassett and Edward Pearl, had planned to go but their poor health fnterfered. The veterans made the trip in Mrs. E. L. Princes car which was driven by J. F. Shofman.
 The company participated in a pa- rade in Rockville and after a supper furnished by people of that place, took part in other activities in the even ing.
 The company has been drilling on the lawn in front of the slhool for sev- era1 months and the members are very proficient in military tactics. The company lacks only eight men of be- ing at full strength. The officers are: Captain, ". A. Wolf: first lieutenant, 70. Robinson, and second lieutenant, L. Maynard.
 The South Coventry company is a special company and has not been able to secure any company letter.