davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-12-01


mean to you? Nothing. It's merely q
check. You giyegit because ask, that's
ALL. would rather have you do one fine
thing that gave you trouble, would rather
have you make one personal sacrifice than
give away the whole Of years income"
-"Saeriice! How would that help the
Belgians?"
at mightnt help the BeIgians. But IT
would help you. You're what matters
at least the you that believe in, the hid
den you that's deep inside Of you-the
Alan Jessup who never u guilty Of mean
action and never glories in a great one"
"oh, suppose I'm q rotter, all right"
"Ah, no, you're not. l shall call you all
the names / please but no one else shall,
not even yourself"
Thanks awfully," he murmured.
'Tf could only see you do something
you didn't want to do" she sighed.
My dear Connie" he broke In warmly,
I'm always doing things don't want to
do. In fact, l never do anything else but
things don't want to do
Because you never want to do any
thing
Except to be with you
She paused q moment and smiled at him
the mothering smile which always de-
lighted and disturbed him.
I've been doing a lot of thinking In
the past week. I've been idle long
enough"
THE war;"
yes. l can't sit here in peace and COM
fort and see an industrious, heroic
race wiped from the face of the earth.
Don't you feel something Of that, the pity
the horror OF it?'
"Yes"-- he drawled. 81 suppose
de-"
She waited a moment and then went on.
Il wonder" she murmured. what 1t Is
that you care about in me, Alan? I'm
always prodding you, always finding fault
with you, making you uncomfortable. when
there are hundreds Of nice girls"-
God forbid" he broke in so suddenly
and with such a comical air Of dismay
that she burst into laughter.
But it's true, Alan. Hundreds of them.
They'll let you alone. occupy your heart
gracefully, fill your houses and yachts with
gay parties"-
But don't want to have my houses and
yachts filled with gay parties. only
want to be let alone
But I'm always bothering"-
81 want you to bother me, because it's
a different kind OF bother from any other
hothers. At least you don't bore me with
hattery or sicken me with insincsrity"-
mo" she smiled. Il don't tatter"--
you're always entirely right, you know"
mo. I'm not always right" she said
decisively. You're very sweet about II,
Alan. You have a right to live your life
In your own way. But don't you see that
want the intangible you to grow into
something great. something noble?" She
broke OF with a smiling appeal Wont
you, please. Alan? Won't you please do
something that I can worship you for?"
The sudden CLEAN Of whimsical earnest
ness IN her eyes seemed to startle him
and he stirred uneasily.
Great! Noble! II" and then help
lessly, Good Lord!"
Il mean IT," she said more soberly.
Something great, something noble. We're
standing on the edge OF the inferno over
there. People are dying. starving.
America has got to help. You, I-all Of
US who have time and money"
IL think you might do something
with me II you'd dare to try" he ven
tured.
Great Britain Rights Reserved.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-12-01

"A deep reverberation came
from the distant craft and
geyser of water shot into the
air q few hundred yards off the
Trkana's bow"
But she shook her head . little sadly.
II don't dare to try, Alan. That's Just
the trouble. You've known how I've felt
about you for six months and yet, there
you areas vague, as impalpable as ever"
Hang 1t all, Connie! I'm tired. It isn't
In the wood. can box, shoot. swim,
but he shrugged and was silent.
And then after q moment.
What could DOR
Haven't I told you that Belgium il
gone, that France Is hanging grimly on,
aware that Belgium's fate viii be hers?
And you ask me what you could dol Oh.
what's the use?" she sighed.
1T isn't Won Hengel? There isn't any
one else, il there, CONNECT" he asked
gravely.
She rose from the luncheon table and
threw out her arms in q gesture Of alb
negation.
mo. Not Won Hengel-but hundreds
OF others, Alan, men who ara doing things
In the world-men who build, men who
dream great dreams, who would give
twenty years Of life for the opportunities
in your hands. And you pass them by
you don't even see them She broke
OF and led the way into the hall
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-12-01

(ContinEed on Merit PG0eJ
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-12-01

we can hardly argue the matter" she
replied coolly, because we should never
agree"
She touched bell upon the table and
smiled.
"You shall at least have some tea" she
said. I'VE cannot deny hospitality to the
vuft
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1918-07-26
CHEVRONS WILL
MARK WOUNDS
by HARRY Il. HUNT

WASHINGTON. July 2s.--Uncle
Sans recognition Of exceptional
vaior on tho part Of his men In
France Is 20 be marked ~ the be-
stowal OF three grades OF war dec
orations--thc congressional medal OF
honor. distinguished service cross
and distinguished service medal.
These correspond to tho French
cross OF the Legion OF Honor, the
Croix d. Guerre and the Mcdaillc
Militairc.
Already citations have been re-
cetvcd from General Perching rec.
ommendlng tho bestowing OF crosses
10 aomo score Of our boys abroad.
Each decoration will he for deeds
Of bravery and courage no clearly
outstanding as 10 mark It's individ-
ual wearcr as real hero.
Any ofYlcor or enlisted man who
has had hy months service OVERSEAS
may wear a small gold braided
chevron on his left sleeve and an
additional chcyron for each addi-
tional six months service abroad
similar cheyron. worn on tho
n ght sleeve. Is allowed for each
wound received.
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1918-07-26

manism would have us believe, get
ting ready. while Europe and Amori-
ca are cShausting themselves in an
intra Caucasian war to attempt
world dominion
In "a word what should he and
what arc likely to he the future re-.
iations OF the United States and the
"Flowcry Kingdom
Let me say ai the outset that
wcci.s OF patient and searching
and open minded investigation In
Japan have convinced inc that
there II no PRESENT danger of
any Of these caismitic-. and that
u America goes ahead compe-
tentiy with her heart open and
her EYES OPEN there need
never be any danger Of them.
The mass OF Americans have not
understood Japan. and the mass ~
japanese have not undcrstood
America.
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1918-07-26
This IL wrong. u Is dangerous. u
should be remcdicd. ~ 1T IL NOT.
IEOt HE MAY COME.

This IL wrong. u II dangerous. II
should be remcdird. ~ 1T IL NOT.
TROUBLE NAY COME.
TO many Americans, mention or
Japan suggests only one phrase
yellow peril" And " thia In not
changed THERE WILL BE A YELL
Low PERIL
In clearing up this mutual misun'
derutanding. America must lead the
way. because the mass ~ the Amer.
can people are moro advanced and
more capable. especially politically.
than the mass OF the Japanese PEG
pie. only one generation removed
from absolute ignorance Of western
civilization,
After weeks OF seeing all | could
see. hearing all I could hear. reading
an could read and thinking all |
could think tho Japan OF today
strikes me this way
\ nation entitled commercial.
" to full active membership In
the family Of nations: but n ma
ton. also. which. u !. Just 10
expect. will. BY honest de-
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1918-07-26

perior. you can maintain ~
ton only as long as 7 M
can whip me
That is the ultimate ~
American crisis. ! But IT
NOT COME IN<THIS SH
TON.
I think II should newer q
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1918-07-26

racial prejudice Is sbssstlbned-uniiI
then America must always BE- pre-
pared. must always remain too
strong In a militAs. sense for Japan
to attack her. for until those
happy days arrive evil elements In
either nation land there sre evil
elements IN po,ln may prce'oiiisir a
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1918-07-26

VIII Japan raid
the Pacific cossts
Will Japan
close China's
open door,
WIN Japan or.
anipe AsA's
millions into the
grcatr~t military
terror tho world
has ever known
and lose this
h orriblc ava
lsnche upon west.
Urn civilization.
inundating Il.
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1918-07-26

crtstA-
an The long run America will have
to admit the equality Of the Japan
orc OF fight JApap-IF japan ever
bcrome~ strong enough TO think she
can win.
For n am srrf and you master
~ | am held inferior and you SUI
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1918-07-26

Early in the present year the
attention of the Massachusetts
state authorities was called to the
financial and physical condition
of the Boston Elevated. The re-
port of the Public Service Com
mission of that state on the prop
erty went before the Massachu-
sets legislature and was refer
red to the Committee on Street
Railways. AS the result of nu-
merous conferences, bill was
drawn and passed, placing the
system under state operation,
management and control, with a
state guarantee of a return OF )
DER cent on the common stock
and 7 per cent on preferred.
The legislature determined
upon SERVICE AT
COST" plan, limiting the rate
of return, as stated above, as a
fair return on the actual invest
ment.
The plan provided for con-
troll IND MANAGE
MENT under a board of five
STATE TRUSTEES, appoint
ed by the Governor, and remov-
able by him, SUBJECT TO
THE APPROVAL or THE
GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL.
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1918-07-26
By Burton Knisely

Copyright. 1913. Newspaper Eater
prise Association
TOKYO. July s6.--Will japan
grab" the Philippines.
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1918-07-26
SEVE,N-CENT FARES
FIXED FOR BOSTON
ELEVATED LINES!
Trustees of Street Railways, Under State Operation
Find They Can't Meet E,pe lses With Less

The Boston Elevated Street Railway Lines covering all
face subway and elevated railways the City of Boston,
operated the State of Massachusetts, he trustees in charge an
nounce that August the will sevencen fare ba
sis and will make no discount for tickets purchased II UI BE
4 STRAIGHT SEVEN-CENT CHARGE FOR ALL RIDES
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1918-07-26

But. until Japan IL iiberaiisrd po-
Iitieaiiy and oeennised spiritually. ~
thal hev light IL equal 10 her
strength. and until America IL lib
~~aliz~d socially 80 that unjust
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1918-07-26
/ Admit Equality

war with the United ~tafe~ be-
cause We are her best customer.
ALL a-..Ia ll...IIa..
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1918-07-26
WILL JAPAN FIGHT UNITED STATES?
Ky xR Y! P axes Frank and Clear Survey Problem


- ,., a. h.,or.v
s, .s.,,,,..,,. md 49,,
,.ta."' ~, s.,n,,, la. -,
,.,.,..
=. -. . - A..
a.. -, ~. .,,.,.,r.,s n.In
In a.. nj
''''' W."
Must Learn Respect
Americans must ieurn respect for
Janapes, merits and apprehension of
Japauese shorteosnings---s,nd they
must learn both accurately. They
must not cloak indifference. and
even arrogance. with such "a phrAs.
aS "ye,lo,, pcrtI."
The white race In accustomed com.
nlacentlv to bell.ye itHalf superior 10
All other rnccs -tmmea nurnbly au.
perior. This may have been true in
,he nn.t II may In the main be
nm. today In some rerpacis A. IA
t,,,. now nn regards American NE
ana Jspanenn life. But in general,
In The b,.io Fundamentally. in poten.
,i,il,i.a for the futur, rather than
in mast achievements. II is not true.
win equal opportunity, the Jap.
nnes~ are not in the least inferior
10 the caucanlan peoplea an individ.
uais. hut their PRESENT 20.
litical. social and spiritual organic
ton is inferior
In other words. u II the environ
ment. not the individual. that II In.
ferior. There II mass inferiority
rather than individual inferiority.
ana romamesw--thst IL a statement
from the Occidental point OF view
The Japanese may think HIS polii
teal. social and spiritual institutions
superior TO ours.
Furthermore, venture the view
that time and the right assistance
from America viii oblitsrate these
inferlorities In organization and IN.
sutuuons. And time Is the essence
OF the problem. America should not
loes time.
n Am~tcans will treat japanese
on the plano have outlined. and "
.a,h ,r-.,,,,n, s,ne-xr and wiIl
respond To II A. thrs can,
there VIII he no Am~vicsn-Jspsn~se
war.
Won't Make War
Iaoan will not make war upon
America 10 fore. unrestricted immi.
grafton ard NATURALIZATION In the
United States. because Japan knows
she could not win these points By
war The American navy il RAPIDLY
approaching twice the strength Of
the Japap... navy. IL la difficult
enough. with undlsputed naval su.
pr.nany. 90 transport troops a few
miles from England TO France.
Tn. limited atAts. will not make
var u.o, Iap.n 90 enfore. the omen
door In China for thru. reasons. the
game would not pe worth tho can.
Az. other natlon.. such a. britain.
win take IN that quarrel first. II II
ever should arise. ana /. will no,
arise b~oaus. the I.Anaing .Tshil
1870 Az ....st.s. ,.a.t..
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1918-07-26
Fiber Silk Socks As

Pure thread, black am
white only, sizes az
l11s.
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1918-07-26

These trustees have been in
control of the property for some
months. They have seen the re-
turns, made their estimates on
costs of operation, and SLY
UNANIMOUSLY TIL h +
FARES MUST BE IN
CREASED-not from five to
six cents, but from five cents to
SEVEN CENTS.
ONLY SOURCE or
REVENUE
The following paragraphs,
taken verbatim from the report
of the Massachusetts State Trus-
tees of the Boston Elevated, in
dictate the gravity of the sltua-
ton street railways have been
called upon to face:
Summing up, therefore, the trust
ees are confronted with the necessity of
securing gross revenue Of at least $25,-
56O,27O to continue present facilities,
which compared with the earnings Of
last year of $19,407 900 leaves, without
regard to increased cost Of material,
taxes, fuel etc, or possible increase in
wages in excess Of that granted in other
cities, approximately S6,200,000 to be
secured.
1.-THE only source Of revenue that the
trustees have is from car riders, and
therefore they are compelled by law to
charge such fares az will earn suffi-
Gent amount TO meet all Of the above
additional charges"
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1918-07-26
75c Shirts or
Drawers 55c

Athletic Shirts. sizes - n
t.. Drawers. IN broken sizes. OF
cross bar nainsook. the gar
nlent. b5c.
-MacDougallS outhwich y
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1918-07-26
Nightshirts Csc

Broken lines Of 1.25, Lbs
and I.50 Nightshirts, sizes
ID TO 10.
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1918-07-26
Silk-Mixed
Shirts $50

KHAKI color shirts with soft
collar attached fine silk ana
cotton mixture. Sizes ifiz 10
~.
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1918-07-26
l.5O Blue
Shirts LIS

OF extra quality blue cham
bray. military or flat collar.
broken sizes.
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1918-07-26

Fine even stripes in tive.
tones Of tan. blue and hello.
giving the effect Of a solid col
or with beautiful shadings. or
in white. Collars 20 match.
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1918-07-26
LIS to $50 Union
Suits las

Athletic Union Suits 81 fine
materials. all sizes OF one
kind or another.
shop, Just Inside the Doo~
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1918-07-26
Good Socks
6 Pairs lao

Black Cotton Socks u
everyday wear; 3izes 9l2 4
l1is.
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1918-07-26

Be one Of the thousands
pho tciH buy something
ncw and summary 10
wear, sonnet thing to show
thus is an occdsion-Se-
nttie's greatest summer
event.
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1918-07-26

Convenient Cor
ner-Second and Pike.
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1918-07-26

OF outing flannel. extra
good in material and tailor
ing: all sizes; III garments
reduced.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1918-06-17
Texas Banks Show
A Big Increase
(By Associated Press.

AUSTIN. Texas, ,hrne 15.-The total
resources of state banks and trust com
panies on May 10. 1918, were $239. 9.945,-
523, with liabilities of the same amount.
Atotal of SIS Institutions reporaed an in
crease of per cent over the last bank
cal, which was March 4, 1918. and an
increase Of 20 per cent over May /, 1917.
Resources were a follows
Loans and discounts $l30,4l0.3S2. rea'
$160.59S, bonds $22 2.260,5Sl, real estate
and furniture $9.25S, ,069. cash and ex-
change S49.59S,5Sl, guaranty fund, 81
S3i,561, and other resources S6.63s. 80.
Liabilities:
Capital stock S34,624, 900. surplus and
profits $l4,693,OOO. deposits $3.50. .276.
PSI, bills payab'e S7.421. .262. and other
liabilities $2.93O,90S.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1918-06-17
There's A Reason Why
This Man Hates Boche

Guyon's a regular free eater He has
been cited six times. He wears a Croix dc
Guerre and Madaille d'IIonneur. lie
captured German mitrailleuse single
handed. He went out alone in No-Man'r
Land" to bring back a wouned comrade
He's been wounded himself four times.
When he i back of the lines. off duty
he helps Y. NJ. G. A. secretary hand out
writing paper To his comrades in foyer
du soldat. But it isn't active enough for
him. Since August. 1914, he doesn't seem
To need rest. When he isn't in the trenches
he works off his surplus enerhy cussing
out the way the war j. run because he
isn't in active service every minute.
There are lot of poilus like Guyon.
Get them ten kilomcters back of the front
and they growl and roar al day Put
them in the. trenches and YOU simply can't
hold them in. $50
!. SProbablyta Story lies back Of most Of
them just one explains Guyon.
When the war broke out Guyon had Just
married He and his wife were living in
a little town up near the Belgian border
OF course he was called and left for the
front. For more than a year he did not
hear from his wife-not a word At last
he received letter from her. mailed in
Paris. She had been taken prisoner at
the time of the invasion and deported into
Germany. After a year of horrible suffer
irg and abuse, she escaped into Holland
and got back to Paris by way of London
At last she reached Paris and went to work
in munitions factory wher she is still
working.
Guycn told his story to the American
Y. NJ. G. A. secretary with typical French
ca'nneSs. His fury against the boches he
puts into action in the first line.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1918-06-17
Kaiser Styles Self
The Prince ofPeace'

AMSTERDAM, June 17.-"Prusian mil
itarism will bring victCrs u Germany
S-Nr Kaiser Wilhelm. answering conGrat-
ulations on the thirtieth anniversary of his
ascention to the throne, received from
Chancellor Won IIerting. The kaiser says
he leads the 'most capable people on
earth" He says he did his work a. the
prince Of peace" until he was forced to
wage war
The kaiser said:
"God has laid a heavy burden on my
shoulders but carry il in consciousness
Of the right. know that Prussian mill
taryisr. 80 much abused BY our enemies.
which my forefathcrs and | built up in a
spirit Of loyalty and dutifulness will bring
place. 1t will then be my sacred duty TO
heal the wouids and secure a happy future
Tor the nation"
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1918-06-17
j. S. GUNNERS
SPOIL PLANS
FORATTACK
AT X|vRAY
SUNDAY
(By Associated Press.l

WITH TIE AMERICAN ARMY IN
FRANCE, June lin the attack on
Xivray, in the Toul sector, yesterday the
Germans hoped To enter the village and
carry of a large narher Of prisoners. The
alertness cf the American artillery thwart-
ed them, however.
The Germans had manned the raid a
week in advance and rchcarsed it with 600
picked troops. The Americans, however,
played havoc with these plans and broke
up the attack.
The attack began at 3 o'clock in the
riorning after an extremely violent bonn
hardment at the front line, American bat
teres and villages far in the rear. The
Germans advanced swiftly to the attack
but were met by a heavy fire. Those who
. penetrated Xiyray were forced speedily to
Withdraw and elsewhere the enemy was
comptely repulsed in hand fighting last
ing more than twp hours. 4 = a., .lfyf Y
9Acccrdng TO PRISONERS tn object of the
enemy was to take American prisoners.
This object failed a. no American is re
ported missing
The Germans evidently angered by the
failure of the attack continued an inter-
mittent sheling Of the villages in the rear
throughout Sunday. Some of these points
were not less than eight miles behind the
lines.
The American troops engaged at close
quarters the small German force that en-
tered Xivray. There was severe fighting
with bayonets and dubbed rifles. The
Germans left nine dead in the strets and
six prisoners were taken two of them Off
ecrs, one of whom was wounded.
The German pan was to send forward
raiders without artillery preparation. They
were To 90 forward to the barhed wire and
then send up rocket for box barrage
to cover the village and the communicating
trenches. American artillery observers
saw the Germans creep into No Mans
Land and started artillery and machine
gun fire and cut up the raiders before they
could signal for the barrage. Only few
Germans got to Xivray and these were
either killed or captured.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1918-06-17
Insane Asylum to
Be Built Soon

AUSTIN. Texas, June 1.-THE con-
ract for the construction at Wichita Falls
i to be awarded June % by Governor
Hobby. Attorney General Looney and the
lieutenant governor and state Inspector of
masonry. These officials compose the
commission created by the legislature to
select the ste for and supervise the con
struction of the proposed new building.
The legislature appropriated $4,000
for the construction of the asylum but
only $4,000 remains after purchasing the
site.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1918-06-17
Writer Pictures Kaiser
As A Generous Enemy
iBy Associated Press,

AMSTERDAM. June 1.-THE KAISER 10
pictured 4, \ good Samaritan ~ Carl
ho>ncr, Favorte correspondent He saws
that Wilhelm stopped alongside tive
wounded british >"!.herc sri called an
attendant and sent them 10 the hospital.
The kaiser said. "a beaten enemy II no
longer an enemv tc IL, even ii those over
there think otherwise. That j. their af-
fair. We Germar.S preserve our concsp-
ton of Christian duty towards the suffer-
iny
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1918-06-17
American Soldier Turns
Tables On His Captor
(By Associ ,ted Press. y


WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY IN
FRANCE. June lin the German at
tack on Aivray yesterday German cap
tured wounded American soldier The
Boche and his prisoner had started toward
the Goldman lines and had reached the
German entangiements. The American soil
der suddenly drew his pistol. surprised
Ia, captor ard warched him back 70 the
American lines.
After turning the prisoner over 10 his
fellow soldier thr American fell uncon-
>c.uuS from the less Of blood
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1918-06-17
BAKER THINKS
OBJECTORS TO
BE DEP0RTED
CBy Associated Tress.D

WASHINGTON. ID. G.. June 1.-THE
sentences ranging from eighteen months
10 twenty years imposed upon the war OBJ
jectors from Camps Upton and Gordon
have been approved by Secretary of War
Baker. Most Of the directors opposed
fighting because they had relatives in the
German army. Mr.. Baker recommended
the return of such men to 1.-THE country Of
Their preference al the close Of the war
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1918-06-17
O'Learys Arrest Be
First OF A Number

WASHINGTON. d. c.. June 1.-THE
capture of jeremiah O'Leary probably
will be followed soon by the arrest of a
number of other Irish agitators on charges
of treason and espionage.
Tie government has considerable undis-
closed evidence against 0Ieary. The
others may 20 free if they tell all them
know of the actions Of Irish radicals and
German agents.