davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Norwich bulletin., 1917-08-30

HOredOr F'reCeau has recovered from his illness and has returned q. Hartford.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-08-30
SPORTING NOTES

Miss Matilda B. Randall is spending several weeks at Bethlehem, N. H.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-08-30
BELL=ANS Absolutely Removes Indigestion. One package proves it. 25c at all druggists.

of Les Angeles, Cal, are visiting Mr. =. A. Beebe. of Gallows Hill.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-08-30

Mrs. q. c LfuihridEe and Mics r10 LillihridEe If south Front street are spending few days at AsbGry Par,.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-08-30
Scnrs hv inning.

tzi Batted for Martin in 9th London .----..2 q n-2 Lawrence --...-.-o Q . o-5
 Two base hits. DeNcviIle. Flynn. Three base hit Williams.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-08-30

John Fields. who is in the r. army. is spending a weeks furloIEf with his parents. Mir. and irs. Tim Othy Fields of Elm avenue.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-08-30
Portfand

tx) Batted for sweatt
 Score by innings: Hartford --.-....G Q q % Portland -..--.-.6 0-3 Two base hits. Lord, spsid. Murray Three base hit Lord.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-08-30
American Lesgue
Eastern League
Worcester 3, SrrinqfieId f.

ter today defeated Sprin gfield in a game replete with fine fielding 3 to 1. Score:
Norwich bulletin., 1917-08-30

Miss Grace Lester las returned home after spending two months at a camp in New Hampshire.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-08-30

Mrs. William Thorp of Potter Eil R. L.. has been visitine her nieceE Miss Agnes Thorp and Mrs. Calvin Briggs of Sturtevant street.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-08-30
COTTON

New York, Aug. 29.-Cotton futures closed unsettled. October 2216; Dec ember 2221; January 222O; March 2234 May 55.
 Spot steady; middling 234O.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-08-30
MYSTIC
Local People Attend Ledyard Dinner Pupils Recital-Carl Bradley Trans ferred to Ohio.

Mir. and Mrs. Stephen E. Palmer, MT. and Mrs Waiter Morgan. Mir. and Mrs. Horace M. Fitch. MT. and Mrs
 Christopher Morgan. Mrs Walter Nor gan, Miss Clara Morgan, Clarence Coo gan, Philip J. Button were among those from Mystic who attended the Bill li- brary dinner held in Ledyard Wednes-
Norwich bulletin., 1917-08-30

Miss Mary Hyde of Brooklyn, N. r. is the guest of her sister, Mrs. w Tyler OiCott.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-08-30
Springfield
Mnrres ster
Totals 29 : 2 10 ,

"a Ran Stephens 9th.
 srore by Springfield ..-....O . Q 0-I Worcester ..-..-.-I x-S Two base hits. Becker ?. King. Three base hits POtteiGer.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-08-30

Mrs. Clara Saunders has returned % East Great PIaIn. after spending two weeks as the guest of Mr. and Nr7. Austin Rathbun of Plain Hill.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-08-30

Miss Mary F. Norton of Washington street is spending some time at the Spring house, Stafford Springs.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-08-30

fxl Two winning run scored. fxxl Batted for Demsree in 7th. Ran for Sallee in 9th.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-08-30
Pupils Recital.

The advanced pupils of Mrs. Mil dred Chapman Wilbur gave a recital in Masonic temple Wednesday which was a pleasins, success. Mrs. Wilbur play ed three selections: Hark Hark the Lark Shubert-Liszt; Nocturne in F sharp major, Chopin and Hexentanz CVitches' Dance), Mcdowell. The following pupils were heard in pleasing mum bers: Albert Nef. Marlon Pitcher John Pitcher. Isabel V. GrinneI, Doris Nichols. Reynolds Wheeler. Leila Bur rows, and Rachel Edgcomb. Miss Gladys Clayton Mac65own sang a SO prapo solo which afforded much pleasure to her auditors.
 Transferred to Ohio.
 MT and Mrs. Robert D. Bradley have Bradley that he had been transferred from th> aviation camp at San An tonic. Tex. to Fairfield O.. eight miles from Dayton. AI-. Bradley writes that the boys are plea sed at getting north again away from the heat and dust
 D. of V. Picnic.
 The annual picnic of Phebe Packer Rathbun tent, D. of ", will be held bers will leave on the 10 o'clock troll ley.
 Personals.
 Lieuter ant Whittack has returned to New York after several days visit with his family.
 Miss Alice Spear has returned 10 Hyde Park, Mass, after a visit with Mrs. Nancy Williams.
 Mrs. E.. Hart Geer of HAdlyme is the guest of her parents, Mir. and Mrs. J. Abner Geer.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-08-30

Mrs. Ruth Mcintyre and children Trma and lawrence spent Weduesdat in Mansfield with Mrs Mc1utyre's mother, Mrs. Eugene Whitou
Norwich bulletin., 1917-08-30

Social and Personal Items. Mrs. Lewis Beebe and two children
Norwich bulletin., 1917-08-30

Personals and Notes.
 A. F.. Pingree is enjoying his annual | vacation.
 MT and Mrs NJ. D. Pruitt have re- | turned from five days auto trip.
 Harold Kinder or Pawtucket is at the Pouemah House for a few days.
 Mir. and Mrs. Alfred Prive have l taken a house on Norwich avenue Joseph Gauthier is moving from North Slater avenue to South street Herbert HoyIe of South B street has purchased new Maxwell automobile , returned from trip to PeekskuI >. Y.
 Ernest Brainard of Lowell is spend ing few days with friends in the Fi.- lage.
 Miss Alice N. Stevenson Is Spendiu1 | two weeks at Lake ChataUqna, Bufa--. N. Y.
 Mrs Albert Ferris and Mise Na-sri. Ferris have left town for Detroit. ! Mich
 Horedor Freeeau has recovered | from his Illness and has returned C. | Hartford. Miss Mabel Jones Of South P street 1 is spending a week with relatives lU New Bedford
 This year the pa-ochiaI schools vii open September ; and the public schools Sept. TO-
 Miss Annie Lambert of North P street has returned tO work after three weeks vs cation. William Hicks and Louis Gre@7r- leave Thursday for motorcycle trip over the Mohawk Trail
 Mrs. q. C. I.iHihridEe and Mics t1- LillibridEe of south Front street arc spending few days at Asbgry Par,. N. J.
 Mir. and Mrs. Allan PoEie and Poh- ert Brierley of Providence strfet 7-- the guests of Mir and Mrs William Brierley in New Bedford.
 George Weller. Jr, Is sprrdinz a few days with Harry Jervis of Provl- dence street ard George smith uf Lowell who are camping at Fishcr' Island.
 Miss Anna Pepin of North i street who recently underwent an operati~r for appendicitis at the Backus hospl- tai. has been discharged and has re- turned to her home.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-08-30

Miss Anna Pepln of North 4 street who recently underwent an operation for appendicitis at the Backus rospi- tai. has been discharged and has re- turned to her home.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-08-30

Mrs Oliver L. Johnson entertained informally on Sunday afternoon for Lieut.. and Mrs. Robert l. Johnson. who were week end guests of Mir. ard Mrs. William B. Birge. Li"Jt. Johnsi is enc of 17 chosen out of 2.000 young officers at Plattsburg for special duty in France and has order 10 sail this week. He is the son of Mrs. Brge
Norwich bulletin., 1917-08-30
TAFTVILLE
Father Massicott at Keyser Island Re treat-F ather Bellerose 10 Go Ner Week-Personals and Notes.

Rev. PhiIp MasslCOtt- assistant rec- tor Of the Sacred Heart church, i1 spending the week al the Catholic clergy mans retreat at Naureza in- stitute on Keyser Island off Sou-r Norwalk. Rev. r. e. BelIerose will attend the retreat next week as the second week of the retreat is for che rectors while the first vas for tho cura les
Norwich bulletin., 1917-08-30

Mrs. Etta Bri'tin and Miss Clara Brittin Of Norwich spent a day re- gently as guests Oi Alr and Mr.. Charles Rathhun of Plain Eiif
Norwich bulletin., 1917-08-30

Pittsburgh .---.....l Q 1 o-5 New York .....O 0 2rI I-f Two base hits Holke 2. Zimmerman. Fletcher Three base hit, Bigbee Home uIn Robertson.
 (Scond Camel
Smyrna times., 1917-08-01
TOWNSEND

Townsend, July 24.-Mrs. Gilbert
Hayden who on last Friday was re-
moved to Medicho Chi Hospital on &C
count of serious illness is very much
improved.
Miss Christine Slant who has been
critically i'll following an operation
for appendicitis last Saturday, is very
much improved.
Mrs. Joseph Pritchard and Mrs.
Sherbourne Collins have been chaper-
oning a party of young people from
town on camping party at the Bung-
allow.
Personals. Mrs. Emma Hughes, of
Betterton, Nd, has been at the bed
side of Mrs. William P. Reynolds who
is still confined to her room on ac-
count of illness. MIR. and Mrs. John
Morris, Mr.. and Mrs. Joe Hutchison,
Jr., and family, of Smyrna, and Mr..
and Mrs. j. C. Hutchison and wife
near town, were recent visitors with
Mr.. and Mrs. Walter Lee. William
Wells and family will occupy a cot
tage at kits Hammock for two
weeks. Mrs. McGinnis, of Whining
ton, was a recent guest of Mrs. G.
Nj. D. Hart. Miss Hilda Stevens, Of
Clayton, and Mr.. Hill. of Baltimore
are visiting Mrs. John Lsttomus. =
Miss Catharine Niles, of Wellsboro
Pa, is visiting her uncle DR.. ]. D
Niles and family. Miss Roberta Mat
thews, of Burlington. N. j., spen
Thursday with Mrs. George NJ. D
Hart. Mrs. George Slant is spending
this week with her sister Mrs. Charles
Larrimore in Philadelphia.
Smyrna times., 1917-08-01

In view of the fact that the younger
men of the country will shortly be
called into military service, the man.
agement of the Pennsylvania Railroad
has decided to suspend, temporarily,
the regulation covering the age limit
for employment. The rule heretofore
in force prohibited the hiring of new
employees, in any branch of the SER
vice, above the age of As years. Un-
der the new rule, which has been
adopted to meet war conditions, per-
sons between the ages of As and 70
years may be employed during the
war and for a period of six months
thereafter. Inasmuch as such EN-.
ployment is not to be considered per.
manent, it will not carry with it the
privileges of the Pension Department.
This new arrangement, it is believed,
will offer an opportunity for large
numbers of those who are beyond mil
itary age, to perform a patriotic ser
vice to the country, in the war emer.
gency, by assisting in the indispens
able work of maintaining railroad op
Grafton.
Smyrna times., 1917-08-01
LAND FOR NEW FORT IN SUSSEX

Shockley Property at Mouth of Mispi-
lion River to be Condemned for U. S.
An order for condemnation proceed
ings covering the land of Mark II.
Shockley and wife, along the Mispil-
lion River, in Ceder Creek numbered,
Sussex county, that is desired for
military purposes, has been issued by
Federal Judge j. w. Thompson, in
the United States District Court, in
Wilmington. AS soon as these legal
arrangements are made the property
will be taken by the Government for
a fortification. Petition for the order
was filed by Charles F. Curley, at
torney for the United States of Della
ware district, last Friday. The petit
tion asks that an order be issued and
served upon Mark II. Shockley and
Jennie Shockley, his wife, requiring
them to appear and show causess why
the land should not be condemned and
appropriated to the use of the United
States for fertilization purposes. The
order was entered on the petition re-
quiring the defendants to appear on
December 13, 1917.
Smyrna times., 1917-08-01
DEMANDS RECOGNITION

United States Senator Josiah o. VOL
colt Holds up Delaware Postmasters
According to dispatches from Wash
ingtOn, United States Senator VOL
colt will oppose the denomination of
several Delaware postmasters, as the
names were sent to the Senate for
confirmation without consultation with
the Delawre Senators. The position
Senator Wolcott takes is that in cases
of denominations of postmasters the
executive order under which the post
master general forwarded them applies
solely to original appointments, and
not to reappointments, which should
not be made without consultation with
the State delegation to the Congress.
The Senator has announced that he
will force a record vote on the con-
firmations in order to have the Senate
decide it's stand on this point. He
has no personal objection to the men
who have been renOminated, he says,
but objects to the method used of re-
appointing postmasters without the
States Senators being consulted. The
postmasters referred to are E. Pierce
Ellis, Laurel; William Brockson, Mid
deltown; William H. Robinson. Mil
ford; Edgar E. Carey, Millsboro
John 3. Mustard, Milton; John P.
Murphy, New Castle, and Orlando W.
Short, Seaford.
Smyrna times., 1917-08-01
KENT COUNTY COURT HOUSE

Question of Whether a New Building
Would be Better Than Remodeling Old
Further in relation to the proposed
remodeling of the Kent County Court
House. we are advised that the archi-
tects who have been employed to make
the plans state to the Committee that
the cost of the proposed changes will
be between sixty and eighty thousand
dollars, and possibly even more. That
a new building would cost in the
neighborhood of one hundred and fifty
thousand dollars. Neither of these
estimates cover furniture. This puts
the matter up to the Levy Court and
the people of the County. The County
Building, as we understand, has been
sold to the State for twenty five thous-
and dollars and accommodations must
be made for the County Officers be-
fore July of next year. As we un-
derstsnd. even if it should be deemed
advisable to build new building, and
the estimated cost seems to put that
out of the reckoning, the Act does not
seem to give the Levy Court authority
to do so. Therefore, it seems to re-
solve itself into question of remodel
ing the present building. If the pre-
sent plans are accepted the County
will have to borrow at least fifty
thousand dollars. AS we have said
before, we are not opposing or sp-
proving the plans. We are simply
calling the matter to the attention of
the people of the County, so that they
may make their views known to the
Levy Court. AS we have also said
before, we favor doing the thing right
while we are at it. Kent County is
in for it and cannot avoid making pro-
vision for it's Offices. Time is flying
and it will not be long to July, 1918.
We hope to see not only suitable Offices
provided, but the building made at.
tractive and in keeping with the other
public buildings in the town. We
have on one side Of the Green a most
attractive State House, full of his.
torical memories, and soon the County
Building will be changed and addeC
to this building, providing mucl
needed State Offices and giving tn,
State House new wing to bslanc'
the one on the south of it. This viii
add to its attractive appearance al
well as its accommodations. Sine,
the State has done and is to do 81
much to add to the town, Kent Count,
can afford to keep pace. However
this is the time to speak and if ther
is objection it should be voiced now
1t will be too late when the Lev
Court has acted. If a new Cour
House could be built at about tn
same cost as the old one can be remod
eled for we should prefer a new one
If the cost of new building will b
about double the cost of remodelin
the old one, as seems to be the case
the County, like individuals, mus
count the cost. Judging from th
plans for the remodeled building
would be most attractive. both in az
pearance and accommodations. w
have said all we want to say and whs
we have said has been said for tn
purpose of calling the attention {
the people to the matter and Obtain
ing their views for the guidance {
the Levy Court. Index.
Smyrna times., 1917-08-01
Namsa Detroit Eseaned.

The Detroit city directory contains
this bit of information: 'Detroit was
established as a town ia years ago.
Detroit was adopted as the name of
the new town after six other cognO-
mems had been tried out and found
wanting. Yon-do-ti-ga was the first
title, then came Wa-we-a-tun-ong.
Toghsaghfondje, Teuchsa Grondle,
Ka-row-ta-en and Fort Pontchartrain.
sold records show that when Fort
Pontchartrain was built, the village
of Detroit was isolated within it's
walls, giving Detroit the unique dis
tinction of being the Walled City OF
the United States.'"
Smyrna times., 1917-08-01
Are Your Kid
neyS Well?
Many Smyrna People Know
the Importance Of Healthy
Kidneys.

Kidneys.
The kidneys filter the blood.
They work night ana day.
Well kidneys remove impurities.
Weak kidneys allow impurities to
multiply.
No kidney III should be neglected.
There is possible danger in delay.
If you have backache or bladder
troubles.
If you are nervous. dizzy or worn
out,
Begin treating your kidneys at
once;
Use a proven kidney remedy.
None endorsed like Doan's Kidney
Pills.
Recommended by thousands.
Proved by SMYRNA testimony.
Mrs Shelton. Union St., Smyrna,
says: my personal experience
with DoaD's Kidney Pills has shown
them to be a good kidney medicine.
They brought prompt relief from
backache with which l was troubled
at that time. l bought Doan's Kid
ney Pills at Chas. B. Swain's Drug
Store. and do not hesitate to recon-
mend them.
Price 6Oc, at all dealers. Don't
simply ask for a kidney remedy-get
Doan's Kidney Pills-the same that
Mrs. Shelton had.
Foster -Milburn Co.. Props Buff
falo, N. Y.
Imperial Valley press., 1917-08-17
Take Salts to
Flush Kidneys
Eat Less Meat if You Feel Back
achv or Have Bladder
Trouble,

Meat forms uric acid, which excites
and overworks the kidneys in their
efforts to filter, it from the system.
Regular eaters Of meat must flush
the kidneys occasionally. You must
relieve them like you relieve your
bowels ;removing all the acids, waste
and poison, else you feel dull mis-
cry in the kidney region, sharp pains
in the back or sick headache, dizziness,
your stomach sours, tongue is coated
and when the weather is bad you have
rheumatic twinges The urine is
cloudy, full of sediment; the channels
often get irritated, obliging you TO
set up two or three times during the
night.
To neutralize these irritating acids
snd flush off the body's urinous waste
get about four ounces Of Jad Salts
from any pharmacy; take table.
spoonful in a glass OF water before
breakfast for few days and your
kidneys will then act fine and bladder
disorders disappear This famous
salts is made from the acid Of grapes
and lemon juice. combined with hthia,
md has been used for generations TO
Icia&u and atimu,ate sluggish kidneys
and stop bladder irritation. Jad Salts
a. inexpensive, harmless and makes n
delightful effervescent lithia water
d rink which millions Of men and wom-
tAH take now and then, thus avoid
Az serious kidney and bladder dis
x,Aa ia
Imperial Valley press., 1917-08-17
DAIRY PRODUCTS.
HAY AND ALFALFA.

tEy Los Angeles Hay Exchangel
The following are wholesale prices
the grower. (. o. b. Los Angeles, in
"mmissinn must he addeS fnr nrices
Q consumers.
Tame oat hay No. /, SEQ to $22 per
ton; tame oat hay No. ., SIS to $50
per ton; barley hay, No. 1. $40 to $50 per
ton barley hay NO. ., SIS - $50 =,
ton; wheat hay No. /. SIT t" SO per
ton; wheat hay. No. =, $1b to ST. per
ton; alfalfa has nocan, 40. |. $1H 70
$50 per ton; alfalfa hay locan No. =,
SIS to SIS per ton; alfalfa northern)
No. /, $l7 TO SIS per ton; alfalfa tuorth.
ern, No. ., Sio to SIS per ton; stock
hay. $40 TO 81. per ton; straw 81 per
on.
Imperial Valley press., 1917-08-17
OFFERS VILLA TO ARMY
tBy Associated Press

Stockholm, Aug. 17.-Mrs Percy
Proctor has asked the American min
lister, Ira Nelson Morris, to transmit
to the state department her offer to
place her villa near Mentone, France,
at the disposition Of the American
army authorities in France. The villa
has accommodations for forty men. II
is Mrs. Proctor's idea that it should
be used as convalescent's home.
lengtn Dy the IerIIaII I1,,AS..-, ..-
it reconvenes on August p, according
to dispatch from Berlin to the Col
ogne Gazette. This dispatch which is
evidently inspired, says that it is the
duty of all governments to support
any effort at mediation. 1t is evil
lent that Austro-Hungary will throw
IS full weight in favor of an affirma-
i've answer to the pontifical propo-
'als just as Bulgaria will vigorously
oppose its acceptance on the ground
# return o. occupied territory. Most
'apers believe there is little chance
II an early peace. Washington an
iounces that the reply of this country
will be sent to the Pope independently
ind not in connection with the answer
# the other belligerents.
Imperial Valley press., 1917-08-17
REFORMING RUSS NAVY
RADICAL CHANGES IN NAVAL
TRAINING TO BE INSTALLED
Schools For Different Branches Of
Service to Be Soon
Established

(Correspondence of Associated Press
Petrograd, Aug. 17.--Major General
Klado, chief of naval education insti-
tutions, has prepared radical plan
Of navel training reform, based on the
doctrine that the recent granting Of
full political rights to fighting men Of
both services involves the infusion of
a new spirit into their education.
The plan provides that the existing
naval academy, school for marines,
marine engineering institute and Sc
bastopol naval training corps shall all
be directed from a central naval edu-
cational institution in this city. Other
marine and naval schools will be unit
ed with the Segastopol corps into a
single naval school to be situated in
Sebastopol. A radical reform is that,
for these schools, all persons will be
eligible who have had secondary edu-
cation. There viii be no privileges for
mobiles. Thereby the career of naval
officer will be opened to Russians of
relatively humble position and means.
The ultimate aim of the reform is
that naval education after the war will
be conducted in pacifist and anti
militarist spirit, so as to prepare for
the expected reduction of armaments.
Imperial Valley press., 1917-08-17
At The Theatre
PALACE AIRDOME TONIGHT
Viola Dana in the Story of Rosy
O'Grady

Romance in a tenement forms the
theme Of this charming story. Sum
shiny little Rosie O'Grady, the hero
inc, is dreamer by nature, but an
East Side "newsie" by accident. Ro-
nance was an unknown quantity In
her life, but she had a tender heart
and a vivid imagination, so she dream
ed herself into all sorts of wonderful
adventures. Brother "Chimmie" was
Rosie's idol, and Cyclone Johnny"
Allen, middleweight pugilist, the hero
of her sentimental dreams. The great
adventure of Rosie's life, which
brought to life her dreams, is told
about in the photoplay.
That rare charm and personality
that made Rosie O'Grady seem like a
flower in the midst of sordidness,
makes Viola Dana's impersonation of
the character one Of the most notable
of her career.
Imperial Valley press., 1917-08-17

within twelve miles Of Jaffa nothing
remains but heaps OF ruins and ashes.
From a line extending three miles
north Of Jaffa to the Judean noun
.tans, not an inhabitant' remains nor
a dwelling" says the message. "All
government records have been taken
to Damascus and Nablus. The pco-
pie who were spared from massacre
were exiled to Hebron"
Jaffa formerly had population
estimated at between 10000 and 49,
900 IL contained several mosques,
churches and converts, bazaar, hos
pitfalls, hotels and fine gardens. 1t is
connected with Jerusalem by r2il-
way Inc (ifty-four miles long
Imperial Valley press., 1917-08-17
MUNITIONS NOT MEN NEED
-
SENATOR GORE WOULD NOT
SEND MEN TO FRONT
Wants None Save Those Who VOlun.
teer to Go to Trenches
in France
CBy Associated Press)

Washington, Aug. 18.---Ssnator
Gore introduced an amendment to the
var tax bill to prevent expending any
money raised thereby from being used
o transport men to Europe save
where the yhave volunteered for for
dgn ssrvies. He declared the total
amber Of men Of draft age In the al
ied countries nearly equals the total
,cpulation of Germany and that there
ras no dearth of men, but what was
,seded was money and munitions.
The amendment went over without
action.
Imperial Valley press., 1917-08-17
JAFfA IN RUINS
TOWN RICH IN SACRED HISTORY
NOW LIES A WASTE
All Government Records Taken to
Damascus and Population is
Greatly Reduced
(By Associated Pressi

New York Aug. 1.-THE town of
,Iafra in Palestine. formerly the port
for Jerusalcm, virtually is in ruins,
according to information received from
Cairo, Egypt, by the American COM
mittce for Armenian and Syrian Re-
lief. Jaffa was Sc: on fire by the
Turks and burned after many buildings
were dynamited, says the message
received by the committee. which
adds that Of the villages and hamhtS
Imperial Valley press., 1917-08-17
PRESIDENT AND STRIKE
las BEEN IN CLOSE TOUCH
WITH SITUATION
resident Giving Personal Attention
10 Conditions in the
Northwest
(By Associated Pross)

Washington, Aug. 18.-President
Wilson is giving his personal atten-
Jon to a study Of the labor situation
N the Northwest. He has been keep
ing in close touch through his per-
,onal Investigator, Judge Covington.
The department of Justice has con-
:iliatory reports claiming that the
conditions are slightly improved and
hat offers of mediation have been
made in some instances.