davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-12-02
.erms Of New Deal With
Splitter Rorick And CO.
Fully Set Forth In Action
OF Administration; Is Best
For lnterest. OF The State.

Bismarck, n. D., Dec. North
J Oakota instead of hunting for buyers
1aoT*her bonds in the future will offer
them In the competitive market. This
Inc plan and exp. anation of the in
yustfial commission in negotiating An
agreement with the Splitter, Rorick &
70. Tor a modification of the bond
sale contract made by the league adj
mlnistration on the eve of its retire.
oIHthe industrial Commission oncern
ing the negotiations and agreement
follows:
Resolutions Passed.
Whereas the industrial commits
nee. consisting of Messrs Frazier,
lemke and Hagan, attempted to en-
ter Into a contract with Splitter, Ro-
rick & Co. Of Toledo, Ohio, on Sep
1ember Fl, 1921, for the purchase
and sale OF certain bonds Of the state
ofaNorth Dakota below par; and
whereas certain citizens n tax
layers Of the state of North Dakota.
challenged the legality Of such at
'empted contract in q suit brought
= the district court Of Burleigh coun-
which suit was thereafter prose-
Itep and appealed to the supreme
nrt of the state Of North DakotaS
Whereas the late industrial COM
ssion thereafter and while such
was pending in the supreme sourr
the state attempted to enter into
J other contract Of purchase and sale
J IN said Splitter, Rorick &. Co., pur-
'rting to sell to said company all of
ne bonds which were then in litiga-
} ZION in the supreme court and all
Of the bonds which could be issued
by the state Of North Dakota up to
DECEMBER 81, 1922, under and pursu-
ance to the law authorizing the issu-
ance OF bonds to carry out the So
called industrial program of the state
at 6 per cent per annum; and.
Tied Up Administration.
Whereas the last named purported
agreement deprived the new. indus
trial commission, consisting of Messrs.
Nestos, Kitchen Johnson, Of the
right and power to offer the bonds
, of the state Of North Dakota on the
! competitive bone market in the Unit
ed States: and
Whereas the present industrial
commission deemed the contract dis
advantageous to the state of North
Dakota because of the high rate of
interest and for other reasons, and
therefore declined to carry out the
terms of either of the contracts here
inbefore referred to; and
Whereas we realize that a refusal
10 carry out the terms OF said con-
tract will result in p~rotracted and
costly litigation in the federal courts
ana the supreme court Of the United
States, which will delay the execution
Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-12-02
Business To Start At {
Once At Mohau Bank

Bismarck. N. D.. Dec. 2.-Thv
American State bank Of Mohall re-
Gently incorporated will open for bust
ness Immediately, it is announced.
The third and last bank in Mohall
closed its doors. II as a bank is
needed there will, be no delay,
Capital stock is $4,000. Incorpor-
ators are o. A. Schieber, F. A. Haz-
lit, John p. Asheim. The American
Investment company Of Bismarck, and
the Security company Of Minneapolis
are interested in the new enterprise.
Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-12-02
State Industrial Commissions
Resolution Provides For Sale
Of Bonds In Competitive Market

of the purpose Of the present indus
trial commission to bring money into
this state as quickly as possible and
to commence as quickly as possible
the operation Of a farm loan bust
ness; and -
Compromise Agreement.
Whereas in order to attain the
above mentioned end with the least
delay and at the same time as eco
nomically as possible to, the state, a
compromise agreement was entered
into between the present industrial
commission and said Splitter. Rorick
& Co., which will result in a saving
to the people of tho state of a large
sum of money in interest, and which
will make it possible to loan the mon
cy to- borrowers in the state at a low
err rate of interest.
Now, therefore. be it resolved.
that the alleged contract attempted
to be, entered into by. the latetindus-
trial commission and Splitter, Rorick
& Co. on September 81. 1921, and the
modifying contract attempted I" be
entered into by the said parties on the
21st day Of November, 1921, be mod
ified in the following particulars and
as thus modified the same is hereby
lin all things ratified and affirmed"
I Interest Rate Gut.
The industrial commission with
draws from the said contract Of No
vember Fl, 1921, 1921 bonds Of real
estate series, $4.500,0O0 !. bonds of
average maturity and Of the remain
ing ~$3,50O,000 bonds OF the same Sc
ries, which are to be delivered to
Splitter. Rorick & Co. $4,000 shall
bear interest at n per cent to be de-
livered at par and accrued interest,
The remaining 100000 of said Sc.
ries to bear interest at the rate Of
per cent per annun.
The bonds OF the North Dakota
bank series. aggregating $500, 900
shall be paid for on demand after
the first $500, 900 of the Real estate
series have been delivered and paid
for.
Bonds of the mill and elevator Sc.
ries to be. delivered under the con.
tract shall not exceed S1,100, 900.
yDelivcFy at Convenience.
1t is also understood that the bonds
! are to be delivered and the money
paid therefor by Splitter, Rorick &
Co. at such times as hest suit the con-
! venience of the industrial commission
n AZ may be necessary in order ia
meet the current demand and require.
ments for loans to the end that the
! proceeds of the sale OF the bonds Will
not accumulate in the treasury Of tho
bank and the bonds draw interest fol
an unreasonable length of time or ar
unreasonable mount before such
money Is invested in interest bearing
mortgages. 1t is also agreed hat the
industrial commission will give Spit.
Ter, Rorick & Co. a notice of at leas,
ten days when amounts exceeding
100000 are called for and bonds ex.
ceeding such figure are ready for de-
livery.
The resolution was offered by Com.
! missioner Kitchen with all present
.. voting fol it. 8,
Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-12-02
Minot Makes Effort
To Get Rid OF Bum,

Minot, y. D.. Dec. I'm an effort
to clean the city OF buns and tran.
sients and other ~undesirables who
have been taken into custody by po-
lice, charged with drunkenness, va
krancy and other minor crimes. the
police yesterday released five prison
ers from the city Jail and gave them
a short length Of time to leave the
city. Transients. the police say, are
willing to be thrown into Jail and get
their o. and board. rather than
work or leave the city. Those re-
leased and given time were l.. b.
Freno, Haivor Kirkely. James Bene-
dette, Joe Lofthus and Jim Harper.
Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-12-02
NORTHWESTERN News
South Dakota To Send
State Seal On Marble
Block To Washington

Pierre, S. D.. DEC. 2.-Acc0.d.
ing to an announcement. by Sec.
retary OF State Charles Burkhart,
Thomas Jacobs, q local stone cut
ter. has been awarded. the con-
tract to cut on a block Of native
granite. two by four feet by six
inches thick, tho seal Of the state
Of South DakQta and to deliver.
tho block TO Washington monu-
mcnt. Tho last legislature author
lied the secretary OF state to have
such a granite slab made and ap.
proprtatcd $500 for the purpose.
The slab will he OF a native
notified green granite, said BY
Mr.. Jacobs to- he found only I'M
the vicinity OF Pierre and In
QuarriGs around Vancouver. r. C.
The work will not be completed
until next spring.
Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-12-02
MAN HAS
{ NARROW ESCAPE

n Grafton. n. D., Dec. 1.-George Nc
Cabe Of Grafton and his brother,
James McCAbe Of Grafton, escaped
death or injury when the car in
which they were travelling near De-
troit, Minn.,\ skidded down a 20-foot
embankment.
A farmers wife, observing the ac-
cident, summoned help. who lifted
the a enough to release the men
after they had been pinned beneath
it for 20 minutes.
Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-12-02
Man AT Devils Lake In
Big Demand At,Prisons

Devils Lake. n. D.. Dec. 1.-Joseph
Bell. who with three other yeggs were
taken this week to the state peniten-
tiary to begin serving a 17-year sen
tence for safe-blowing operations in
the state, is wanted at Lcavcnworth
To serve out az LIE year term of SEN
tence for army desertion, according
to word received here.
The information is that Bell took
French leave.
Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-12-02
Nonparty, Editor Fails To
Answer Summons; Arrested

Minot, n. D.. Dec. 2.-Olof Rib,
editor. of the Farmers Press, Nonpar-
tisan league organ in Minot, was ar
rested by the police M brought be-
fore Judge A.. G. Burr Thursday
morning for failing to answer a states
attorneys subpoena. which had been
served on him by States Attorney o.
B. Herigstad.
He was ordered to appear at 2 y.
N. Thursday and hereafter to answer
a subpoena when 1t is served.
Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-12-02
SAYS P%ENITENTIARYr>
is GETTING BETTER
CLASS OF PRISONERS

Devils Lake, N. D.. Dec. L.
Mem OF much better Intelligence
thai usual r heing received Mt
tho state prison daily, having bcen
convicted OF small offenses after
many PEARS of upright living,
according to w. o. Skccls, trans
pOrtAtion officer.
He satd the present widespread
condition OF unemployment ac-
counts, for many Of the prisoners.
The prison, he reported, now has
$50 inmates against 40 mt this
time last year
Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-12-02
PARDON BOARR IS
HAVING RESY SE,SSIO

Bismarck, N. d., Dec 2.-Thc state
board Of pardons, is in session here to-
Cay, considering about 80 applications
fot clemercy.
Governor Nestos has appointed G.
w. Stewart of Wilton. newspaper edt-
tor, as member of the board to sue
coed Mrs. c.. l.. Clifford. Of M!not, who
resigned upon leaving the state.
Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-12-02

money, yu surely need some Of these precious. vnanines in YOU rswte, at nee
Ms,op ms vI hna ION. mixes wi With your food, helps it to digest and supplies jus,
n Sn IS s. t ien thn PC and the starved BRAIN ,pi%ple, bols and skin eruption.
i i.nss ~. Tn not aTsse Ea. o upset the stomach, but strengthen the digestive and
economical TO take and 50 quick and remarkable re the results that oompine
Satisfaction Is absolutely guaranteed or the small amount you pay Tor the trial
~ . promptly refunded. Besurct to remember TIE name-tMastn: V-TA-MON
Tablets at all good druggists.
Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-12-02

Herald Want Ads BRING Results,
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1921-10-25
IMPORTANT ET||uG
FOR LEGION members
Plans For Campaign For Ad-
justed Compensation To
Be Completed Tuesday
Night

, An important meeting of Dan C.
Stone Jr. post, American Legion, is
scheduled to be held Tuesday even.
ing at 1880 at the Chamber of Com
,merce.
The meeting is important to ex-ser.
vice men in that it will be the last
meeting of the post before the No
vember election, when the special
proposition of adjusted compensation
for soldiers will be voted upon.
AT the meeting Tuesday night,
plans will be formulated for the cam
.paign in the interest Of adjusted COM
pensation, and schedule of meetings
will be arranged for the glee club and
speakers.
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1921-10-25
.b[ANCHETT PLACED
IN COUNTY JAIL
Brought Here From Akron
By Sheriff Lytle On
Sunday Afternoon "a

William Blanchett, indicted by the
grand jury of the October term of
common pleas court on the charge Of
stealing an automobile. the property
of Guy ]. Forbing of this city. was
brought to Mt. Vernon Sunday by
Sheriff Lytle and Prosecutor Ash
baugh. Blanchett is now in the coun-
ty Jail. The defendant had been ar
rested in Akron on minor charge
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1921-10-25
Demurrer And Reply Filed
By Soutkard In Case
Against Boiler Co.
CENTERBURG BANK
FILES, ITS ANSWER
Order OF Partition Allowed
In Case; Other Court
House Items \

In the case of l.. H. Southard VS.
the Super-Heating Boiler. & Furnace
Co, demurrer and, reply has been
filed by Southard in the Knox county
common pleas court. 3.
The plaintiff admits that s. s. Dav
is was employed by the company, but
denies there is any balance of money
due him. On the other hand the
plaintiff alleges that Davis transferred
his interest in the company for the
sum of $500. The plaintiff denies
all the other allegations in the an.
swer and cross-petition of Davis and
asks that the same be dismissed. w
L. Robinon is the attorney for the
plaintiff.
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1921-10-25
HY ADVISORY GROUP
MEET TUESDAY NIGHT

Members of the advisory group of
the Hi-Y club win meet on Tuesday
evening at S:15 at the Y. NJ. c. A. In
addition to making plans for club
meetings they will select delegates
to attend the Older Boys conference
to be held in Dayton in November
and plan also for the Hi-Y Get Togeth-
er meeting to be held on Tuesday,
Nov. g.
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1921-10-25
Wood Chunk Heaters
the perfect gas fire

The Ray-Glo is the most economical
gas heater made. 1t will burn on very
low gas pressure and give heat when the
ordinary type of gas heater is useless. 1t
consumes only 10 to Is cubic feet of gas an
hour whereas the old types of gas heaters
used from 80 to 80 cubic feet. A. saving
of over 500 in your fuel bills. This is the
only radiant type heater that can be used
on artificial gas.
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1921-10-25

at o'clock. All members are urged
to be present
'"FrieDdship church will hold its
Rally day services, homecoming and
50th anniversary on Sunday, Oct. 30.
All services. Basket dinner. All in
vited.
ff'The Halloween masquerade SO.
cial to be given by Weaver grange
will be at the home OF Messrs. G.. w.
Hyatt and p. c. Horn, new Delaware
road, Saturday evening, Oct. 20. All
Changers invited.
fHHPleasant grange, No. 677, will
hold special meeting Thursday
evening, Oct. 81, instead of Oct. 2S,
as announced. A good attendance is
desired, especially the officers, as the
first and second degrees will be con.
ferred.
NsfThe American Legion Glee Club
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1921-10-25
Real Estate Transfers

Thomas Hughett to Sarah Studor
parcel in Clinton, 81.
Nina B. Ransom to d. II. Kaufman
parcel in Mt. Vernon, 81.
Leah Chase. to Sarah e. Seymour
parcel in Clinton, 81.
L. II. Goodman to Robert w. Pit.
kin, parcel in city, 81.
Mac Wolford to c. NJ. clearinghouse
parcel in Monroe, 81.
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1921-10-25
carsare and interest.

The story goes that Johns Hopk'na
the founder of the university thae
bears his name, was accustomed even
when Of venerable years and more or
less infirm of body to walk to hia
office. Questioned by a friend a. td
why she did this, he replled: II neve1
forget that cnrfare represents an en-
tire years interest on dollar. Ihe
interest on a dollar Is worth Savlng.'
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1921-10-25

is to sing during the ,lecture hour of
the Weaver Grange next Friday even.
ing. Oct rs. A representative of the
Edison company will also be present
and give several selections.
'"Regular meeting, of Harrison
grange on Thursday, Oct. "a, at 1880
o'nlock.
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1921-10-25
Marriage Licenses

Marriage Licenses
Faye Strang, trimmer, and Margar.
ct Irene Matthews. stenographer, both
of Mt. Vernon. Rev. ID. G. Coburn.
Lewis G. Helt, farmer, Clay town.
ship, and Margaret j. Mccullough, of
Clay township. Rev w. J. DuHadway
of Nevada, o..
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1921-10-25
MEETINGS

!. f%fThes annual Harvest DAY Tor the
Home for the Aged will be on Satur.
day, Oct 30.
~ rs, %
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1921-10-25
Answer Is Filed

HnSWer Is FIIed--
In the. case of the Johnstown Build
ing & Loan Co. VS.. Sprague Apple
gate ct al, the answer of the Center
burg Savings Bang Co. has been filed
in the common pleas court Of Knox
county. The answering defendant sets
up claim in the sum of $500, for
which amount he asks judgment
Paul M. Ashbaugh represents the an
swering defendant.
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1921-10-25
Prices Reduced

For this week only, we have reduced prices all
coal ranges. This includes such well known makes
as Garland Anchor, Acorn and Monogram ranges.
All of these ranges made of cast iron with high
closets and reservoirs and every range offered in this
sale is backed by and the factorys guaran-
tee The reductions in price make it possible for you
to obtain high grade range at cost of at least 2Oo
lower than the present wholesale price. Buy this
week and save money.
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1921-10-25

FRA missionary pageant will be
given, at $50 o'clock Friday evening
at the Baptist church Everybody in.
vited to be present
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1921-10-25

"*NAll members of Knox Rebekah
lodge Wishing to go by truck to the
Rebekah convention at Utica please
call Mrs. c. w. Jamison, 5S3 black.
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1921-10-25
57s.l5. Total ss.ee9.10.
Appraisers Named

NPPTd'seTs Natneu-
In the matter OF the assignment OF
the Pennsylvania Railway Employees
Co., Edward Walton, William Brlcker
and F.. w. Loney have been appointed
appraisers by the probate court of
Knox county.
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1921-10-25
init county

and was turned over TO the Knox
county officials by the officials Of Sum.
nit county.
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1921-10-25
Florence
Hot Blast Air Tight
Coal Heaters

Have your Florence heater set up now and be
prepared when cold weather comes. The Florence
will heat more space than any other stove it's size
earth and do it with half the fuel usually consumed in
other makes 1t will burn ton less Of hard coal than
a hard coal Base Burner of the same size and heat
Mtwice the space. There is soot-no smoke
Vdirt-no cnkels Everything is consumed Give
Nus your order now.
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1921-10-25

*ssBerlin grange will meet in regu.
lar session Tuesday evening. Oct. 25,
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1921-10-25
/, Another Answer

An answer has. been filed. in the
common pleas court of Knox county
by A. H. Reynolds in the case Of the
Johnstown Building & Loan Associa-
tion VS.. Spurgeoh Applegate ct al.
The defendant asks for an order. of
sale for the premises. Paul M. Ash
bauh represents. the defendant.
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1921-10-25
Rdy=Glo

The Ray-Glo is the most effective rad
liant type heater that has ever been in
vented. 1t surpasses all others in radia-
tien. The heat waves that radiate into the
room are identical to those produced by a
piece of red-hot iron or the old fashioned
coal fire when the Goals are a bright red.
Consequently, the room is not heated di-
rectly by the gas flame, but by the heat
from the Radiants.
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1921-10-25

With every coal range sold this week, we will
give away absolutely free of charge - piece set of
guaranteed Pyrex cooking ware. This is set that
could not be purchased at retail for much less than
$1,000 1t is yours absolutely free the minute you buv
your range. All of this is in addition to the liberal
discounts offered the ranges themselves and af-
fords you an opportunity the like of which you have
never seen before or will never see again Come in
this week sure
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1921-10-25
Partition Ordered

An order of partition has been is
sued cut of the common pleas court
or Knox county in the case of John
W. Roop VS.. Albert c. Roop.
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1921-10-25

at 8 o'clock All members are urged
to be present.
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1921-10-25

Files inventory
w. H. Turner executor OF Julia e
Turner, has filed an inventory ant
appraisement in the probate court
showing the following: Personal prop
erty $40, money $10.95, securities $S,
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1921-10-25

"''The American Legion Glee Club
The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1906-2016, 1921-05-05
AMERICAN INFLUENCE
HAS NOT BEEN ENDED.

Washington, May 4.-The possible
tyt that the influence Of the United
States in the reparatiOns discussion
with Germany had not ended with the
dispatch Monday night Of the con-
mmication returning the counter pro
posals to Berlin. was seen today in the
invitation of the allied supreme coun-
Gil to have American Representative
among its members as we'll as on tie
reparations commission and council
of ambassadors.
An official statement of the Ameri-
can position is expected when the III
yitation is formally received here.
The Wilson administration was for
time officially represented on the
reparations commission and unofficial
ly by observers before the council Of
ambassadors. but never on the allied
council.
Whether the Harding administration
will accept the invitation was a .ques-
tion in which interested centered to-
day.
The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1906-2016, 1921-05-05
CITY LEAGUE is TO HAVE ITS
FIRST GAME SATURDAY. 21st
Arco and Baptist Barracks Will Open
City League Season.

Although not positgely settled, the
probabilities that the sea on with the
City Baseball League will be opened
on Saturday, Nay DIST, and the game
will be between the Arco club and The
Baptist Baracas. two clubs which have
often We'd with each other for local
supremacy.
Announcement in The News yestpI-
day morning of the forming of the
league was received with genuine plea
sure by the fans of the city generally
as there are many of them here and
there are hungry for good baseball.
Both the ARGOS and the Baracas are
said to have among their number some
of the fastest players i'll the city and
the games between these two teams
will be interesting and exciting.
The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1906-2016, 1921-05-05
PROTEST AGAINST POLISH
COUP OF UPPER SILESiA.

London. May 4.-The Ceman am
bassadors here presented note 10 the
foreign Office tonight i'll protest against
the Polish coup of upper Silesia, APP
parently a concerted effort to take the
province by force and refusing all re-
sponsibility for the situation and its
consequences.
The note, which had also been pre-
scented to the other allies, declares that
by the action Of irresponsible Polish
agents and provocatures a strike had
been engineered in the upper silesia
through the whole mining and indus
trial area, teITorizing willing workers
and preventing them from carrying;
out their tasks. while the Polish SC
kols and armed bandits cover the coun-
try as far as Ratisbor.
The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1906-2016, 1921-05-05
A., 3. & A. STRIKERS STILL
DOING WATCtaFUL WAITING
Local Men Are of the Opinion They
Will Yet Win Out.

For the past week or more nothing
has developed in the stake al the Al
lanta, Birmingham aud Atlantic and
the situation is practically the same
as it Was a few days after the strike
was declared two months ago Some
few CT the men. have been able 10 get
temporary work but this has been few
i'll number. =,
One of the leaders told a News rep
resentative yesterday that they III Lad
faith in the ultimate victory ana be
lieved they could get thei.' position up
held by the court, if lie matter ever
gets there. In the meantime rail cad
officials give out the statement that
there is no difference existing petwee@
the men stating that they would not
continue to work for the wages as re
duced quit Of their own accord and
there was nothing else to be done in
The premises. Today makes exactly
two months since the strike was de
clared and both parties seem to be
standing by he proposition they made
at the very beginning as neither seems
inclined to discuss the matter any fur
Their. especially is this true of the
roads officials