davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1924-05-20
SHARP BREAK IN MARKET.
Stocks Show Severe Declines, But
Later Partly Recover.

Later Partly Recover.
By the Associated Press.
NEW YORK, April 20.-Stock prices
crumbled sharply at the opening of
today's stock market under an ava
lanche of selling orders undoubtedly
bonus bill over the Presidents Veto
With the initial drop in prices ex-
ceeding all expectations, short in
tereStS rushed to cover, coming into
competition with others who had been
awaiting a favorable opportunity to
accumulate stock at lower levels.
Prices snapped back vigorously and
about half the early loss was re-
covered on this movement. Trading
then quieted down, with spectators
awaiting further developments be-
either side. Recoveries of l to 2
points were scattered among leading
InduStrialS, and substantial advances
took place in some of the less active
issues, including Pullman, American
Radiator, Brooklyn Edison and Pack
ard preferred. Before noon, however,
a renewal of selling pressure against
Baldwin caused a fresh shading of
prices. Call money opened at 8
per cent.
The break was one of the sharpest
in recent months, the lowest prices
being recorded in the first few
minutes. Except for the point drop
in New York Central, the rails held
relatively firm New Orleans. Texas
and Mexico advanced 3k points to
l211h, a new 1924 high, in reflection of
the declaration of a special dividend
of 16h per cent in cash. Forelgn
exchanges opened lower.
Evening star., 1924-05-20
WALL STREET BRIEFS.

Gross earnings of $92.70s,759 report
ed by the New York Central railroad
for the quarter ended March 81 show
a decline of more than $s,000.00O from
income was $20,S04.236. Surplus after
charges was $S.218,o98, against $S,-
909,730 year ago.
Crude rubber is at it's lowest price
in the New York market in two years,
spot ribbed smoked sheets having
been quoted at 17h cents yesterday.
Prices of brown Crete, thin, clean Am
ber No. 1 and fine up-river Para
range from Is to 18ha cents a pound.
to the present hand to-mouth" buy
ing policy of rubber manufacturers.
Net income of the Detroit Edison
Company in the first four months Of
1924 was s4.125,383, a gain Of $604,9
over the corresponding period Of last
year. Surplus aggregated $2.72S.067.
Acquisition of the Kansas City, Mex
leo and Orient railroad probably will
be considered by directors of the Rock
Island when they meet here on May
%. The board will have before 1t the
of the Rock Island. who recently made
an inspection of the property. 1t is
understood to be favorable, but sew
eral directors are said to hold oppos-
ing views.
Earnings of the Mountain Produc-
ers' Corporation from the sale of oil
and gas in 1923 totaled $6,922,739 aft
er deducting government and other
royalties for the quarter ended March
81, S2,20s.970. Dividends amounting
to $3,007,654 were paid in the fifteen
months
The Pacific Oil Company within the
past year has increased it's holdings
of Associated Oil shares from 81 to
almost SIS per cent of the total $685.
100000 outstanding stock. Most of
the additional shares were acquired
when the Associated Oil Company of
fered $10.000,000 stock to stockhold-
ers for subscription last year.
Greater demand for +rucks by gen.
eral contractors, builders and road
contractors, according to officials of
the General Motors Truck Company,
subsidiary of the General Motors
Corporation, is attributed to increased
shipments of two tons and heavy
duty trucks in the first four months
of the current year, compared with
the same period in 1923. The demand
indicated, it was said, that a large
program of structural and road build :
ing was under way.
Evening star., 1924-05-20
RETAIL TRADE HOPEFUL.
Merchandising, Notably Mems
Clothing, Keeps High Level.

SEATTLE. May 20 (Special).-In
practically all lines of retail mer-
chandising and especially in mems
clothing and furnishings. business
here is maintaining comparatively
high levels. 1t is not up to normal,
however, in mems shoes and womens
white shoes. The larger department
stores report their sales for the first
three weeks of May ahead of the cor
responding period of last year. There
has been an equally satisfactory in
crease in the last week in bank
clearings, which were larger than in
any similar period since 1920. Heavy
building operations are not expected
to show material signs of slackening
until next winter. The demand for
sheet metal work for roofing is par
ticularfy in evidence.
Evening star., 1924-05-20
CHICAGO GRAIN MARKET.

CHICAGO. May 20. - Although
weakness of New York stocks had
slightly depressing effect on wheat
prices at the opening today, the wheat
market soon scored a decided upturn.
Buying on the part of a large ele-
vator interest was more or less re-
sponsible for the lift in values. Corn
strength and the fact that the Nc
Nary -Haugen bill was expected to be
taken up at Washington today had
further bullish influence.
Opening prices. which varied from un-
changed figures to Is lower. with
July LOS to 1.06h and September
1.07A, were followed by material
gains all around.
Corn developed fresh strength as
a result of unseasonably cold wealth
er and because of scantiness of re-
ceipts. May shorts continued to be
active bidders. After opening at Il
decline to y advance, July 7sA to
76A A, prices made good upturns
all around.
Oats were frmer in sympathy with
corn and wheat starting unchanged
to higher. July 44h to 44L.
oats later hardened a little more
Provisions held steady, rejecting
Evening star., 1924-05-20
STOCK MARKET HIT
/; BY SLUMP IN PRICES
Active Issues Drop at Opening,
Score Recoveries and Again
Decline.
TRADING QUITE IRREGULAR
Passage of Soldier Bonus Bill
Brings Reactions.
BY STUART II. WEST,

Special Dispatch to The Star.
WALL STREET, New York, May
eo.-Passage of the soldier bonus
hill took the market today out of
its rut. There was an immediate
break of one to three points in the
active issues at the opening. Then
came partial recovery and in the
afternoon a fresh decline.
Steel common had closed Monday
AT rs. 1t opened today at 9512. On
the first sales American Can was off
nearly four points and Baldwin Loco
motive over three. These were fair
ly representative of the movement
in the industrial section. Bethlehem
Steel under AZ was off almost
two points. Among the specialties
Dupont and Cast Iron Pipe had the
sharpest break. Both were off six
points at the start, with only a par
tial rally later.
Railroad Shares Hold.
As has been the case right along
on days of weakness, the railway
shares did much better than the in
dustrials Announcement that Mis-
souri, Pacific was acquiring control
OF New Orleans, Texas and Mexico
was a factor. 1t was in line with
what has been said in this dispatch
a number of times. The stock ran
cause the 161a per cent extra cash
dividend had not been generally
looked for. But later profit-taking
brought about a reaction.
Special buying was obviously going
on in Chesapeake and Ohio and in
Nickel Plate. the significant thing
being that the two stocks were hold
ing all the time practically at parity.
Chesapeake and Ohio directors have
only recently voted the regular divi-
dend at the rate of per cent. They
do not meet again for another six
months. Yet the stock. instead of go
ing down out of disappointment, has
been slowly advancing. The conclu-
apeake dividend was not put up be-
cause it was desired TO provide an
incentive for shareholders to eX-
change for Nickel Plate paying per
cent.
A. T. and T. Financing Plan Surprises.
The long-awaited new financing of
the American Telephone and Tele-
graph Company was made known to-
that the total of $3.50. 100000, as re-
ported, was at all excessive. Yet the
market for the stock was evidently
not prepared. The announcement
caused a rather violent break for a
time. Following the usual plan, the
new shares will be offered to present
stockholders at par in the ratio of
one new share for five old, payment
to be made in inStallmentS, the first
on August /.
National Enameling and Stamping
was weak spot among the special
ties, reaching a new low
Evening star., 1924-05-20
COTTON MARKETS.

NEW YORK, May 20.-The cotton
market opened easy today at a de-
cline of Is to 35 points under liquida-
tion. and selling was also Influenced
by the opening decline in the stock
market, relatively easy Liverpool
cables and uncertainty as to the ef-
feet Of the Washington news on gen.
eral business.
May sold off to 30.95 and October
to 25.07 at the opening. but trade in
terests were buyers at the decline
and prices soon steadied on reports
OF rally in the stock market and COW
ering. May sold up to 31.07 and Oc-
tober to 1928 in the first half hour.
making recoveries of IL to 20 points
from the lowest. There were eighty
nine May notices reported in circula-
tion and they caused some liquidation
Of near months.
The market turned steadier as soon
as initial selling orders had been abb
sorbed and prices advanced later on
the forecast for showers and cooler
weather over the greater part of the
belt and on reports that the May no
tees were being promptly stopped.
May sold up from 30.95 to 31.50 and
October from 25.07 to $3.50, the gen.
eral list ruling about 13 to % points
net higher 1t midday.
Evening star., 1924-05-20
NEW YORK DAIRY MARKET.

NEW YORK: May sn.-Butter-
Firm; receipts. 1855 tubs; creamery,
higher than extras. 80 1ka40: cream
cry, extras (92-score), SO; creamery,
firsts (ss to 81 score), 37% a3sA.
Eggs-Steady; receipts, 62,s61 cases.
Cheese-Irregular; receipts, III, ,73G
pounds; state, whole milk flats, fresh,
fancy, 16a16k; do, average run, Is "
state, whole milk, twins, fresh, fancy,
15%a16; do, avrage run. 15k.
Evening star., 1924-05-20
GRAIN AND PROVISIONS

BALTIMORE. May 20 (SpeciaD.-
Potatoes, white. 100 pounds, 75a1.75;
hs1,Is 49, pounds so, I.2sa275; new potatoes,
beets. 100. 5.ooas.oo; Kaie. busbe1 beI'So; ssa
20: cabbage. basket, 1.75a215; carrots,
100, ,5.o0a7.00; cucumbers. S.5oa5. 90;
eggplants: crate. 2.50a5.0o: lettuce,
5oa1.5o; spring. onions, hundred, 5Oa
100; peas. bushel, 125a175; peppers
crate. 25a40; spinach. bushel, 25a40
radishes, 100. 2.50a3.00; squash, bas-
ket, 1.75a2.00; tomatoes, crate, 4.O0a
Apples-Packed. barrel. 175a45o;
bushel, 70a1.25; box apples, 1.9Oa2.
grapefruit, box, 2.o0a325; oranges,
box, 2.25a4.25; strawberries, quart,
Settling Prices on Grain.
Wheat--No. 2 red winter. spot. 113;
No. red winter, garlicky, domestic,
1.1S; no quotations on No. or No. S
Corn-Cob, new, 4.25a4.3O per bar
rel for yellow, and 4.10a4.15 per bar
rel for white; No. 2 corn, spot, S5A !;
No corn, spot. s2A; track corn,
yellow, No. 8, SO.
No sales.
oats-No. 2 white. 5s asked; No. 3
white, new. 81 asked.
Rye-rENearby, 7oa75; No. rye
spot, 20.
Hay--Receipts, 10 tons. Although
there Is some increase noted in re-
ceipts Of hay generally. there Is nc
surplus offering of more desirable
quality of timothy or light clover
mixed, for which there is fair de-
mand, at full quotations. Low-grade,
damaged and unsound hay has to be
SOLO on merit, as the market is very
irregular for anything below No.
timothy.
Quotations-No. 1 timothy, $500;
No. 2. 28.00a2S.5o; No. 3 timothy
Is. .5oa2&o0; No. 1 light. 25.o0a26. 90
q clover, 24.00a25.00.
Straw-No. 1 straight rye. 23.00a
24.60 per ton; No. 1 tangled rye, 1890
a20.00; No. l wheat, 17.O0a1s.0o; No.
l oat 16.50a17.0o.
Evening star., 1924-05-20
Markets at a Glance

New York-Stocks weak; U. S. Steel
heads long list of 1924 lows. Bonds
unsettled. liberty issues break, then
rally. Foreign exchanges lower;
French franc down 10 points. Cotton
barely steady; favorable weather.
Sugar lower; increasing offerings.
Coffee easy; sympathy Brazilian mar
kets.
Chicago-Wheat steady: unfavor-
able weather. Corn easier; unsettled
cash situation. Cattle steady to
strong. Hogs inactive, with a declin-
ing tendency.
Evening star., 1924-05-20
ELECTS DIRECTORS.

FORT WAYNE, Ind, May 90
Stockholders Of the Wabash railroad
at their annual meeting here elected
the following directors:
Robert Goelet, Chester, N. Y; John
y. Willys, Toledo; George w. Dawson
and r. E. Wilson. Chicago; j. E. Taus-
sig, st. Louis; c. G. Edgar, Detroit,
and Henry Rogers Winthrop, ]. Har-
ris Harding, Alvin w. Krech. Win
slow s. Pierce, Henry Pomeroy, J.
Leonard Replogle, William A. Jamie
son ana ]. c. Otteson. all of New
Evening star., 1924-05-20
BOURSE PRICES IRREGULAR.

PARIS. May 20.-Prices on the
bourse today were irregular. Three
per cents, SO francs 10 centimes; ex-
change on London, SO francs: per
cent loan, 66 francs Is centimes. The
dollar was quoted at Is francs IS
centimeS.
Evening star., 1924-05-20

NEW ORLEANS, May 2o-The cot
ton market opened easier on poor
Liverpool cables and as result Of
the passage of the bonus bill. The
issuing of notices for 800 bales on
May contracts in New York was also
depressing influence. First trades
showed losses of "a to 25 points and
prices eased Off IL points additional
on July and four on October right
after the opening call, the former
month trading down to 28.4s and later
TO 24.26, or 81 and 2S points below
the previous close. The market then
rallied fairly on prospects for un-
favorable weather in the western belt,
recovering 16 to 26 points from the
early low.
Cotton futures closed steady at 4 points
Evening star., 1924-05-20
FOREIGN EXCHANGE.

NEW YORK, May 2o.-Foreign ex-
changes easy. Quotations Gin United
States dollars): Great Britain, de-
mand, 4s6; cables. 4.36A; 60-day
bills on banks, 4.33&. France, de-
mand, .0538h; cables, .0539 r.. Italy,
demand, .0442%; cables, .0443A. Bel
Germany, demand (per trillion),
23M. Holland, demand, .3736k. Nor
way, demand, .1390k. Sweden, de-
mand, 1852. Denmark. demand,
1881. Switzerland, demand, ITO.
Spain, demand, 1886. Greece, demand,
.01s6. Poland, demand. .000000l2.
Czechoslovakia, demand, .0295 4. =.
Jugoslavia, demand. .0123&. Aus
tria, demand, .08o014h. Rumania, de-
mand, .0049h. Argentine, demand,
.32s7. Brazil, demand, .1095. Toxic,
demand, 40A. Montreal, SO 9-32.
Evening star., 1924-05-20
Britain Buying Frozen Meats.

LONDON. May 20.-The war office
soon will place a contract for approx
imately 1000 tons of fronzen beef and
mutton from Australia and New Zea-
land
Evening star., 1924-05-20

LIVERPOOL. May 2o.-Cotton spot
limited demand; prices steady. Good
middling. 1s.45; fully middling. 1900;
middling, 17.45; low middling. 1850:
good ordinary. 1850; ordinary. 1910.
Sales, 1000 bales, including $500
American. Receipts, 1000 bales, in
cluding 5000 American. Futures
closed steady. May, 1898. July, 1870;
October, 14.70: December, 1926; jan
uary, 14.16; March, 14.03
Evening star., 1924-05-20
BosroN STOCK MARKET,

BOSTON. May 20.-Following is
list of today's highest, lowest and
closing prices for the most active
stocks dealt in here:
Evening star., 1924-05-20

From the Boston Transcript.
Bix-You never hear Of a self-made
woman.
Dix-No; a woman changes the
plans so often that the job ID never
6AiShedA --------.-~-
Evening star., 1924-05-20

Kennecott Cop. Co., a., 75c
Solar Refining Co., s-a., IS
Burroughs Adding Machine
Co.. O., e. 2...............
Truscon Steel Co., O., 1%%
preferred
William Carter Co., O., $1.5O
preferred ................
North Amer. Co., O., 2h%
common and 11% pref.
Common dividend Is pays
stock. but holders may recei
Of Soc q share by returning
form provided for that purp
stock, dividend is At rate Of
share for each share held.
Niagara Falls Power Co., a.,
SOC on new no par COM
mon and 43%c on new $25
par preferred. Common.
Preferred ................
These are equivalent paymel
mon, which was split 4 for
preferred. also split 4 for 1.
e. 1. du Pont de Nemours &
Co., O., go common.
Also 1h% debenture. 90.
e. I. du Pont de Nemours
Powder Co., a., 1h% COM
mon and NV preferred
Montreal Cottons, Ltd, g.,
1h% common and 1&%
preferred ...............
Calumet and Hecla Consol.
Copper Co., Soc. Same
amount was paid on Dec.
IT, 1923. The disburse-
ment, which calls for ST.
O02, 751, Is made from sur
plus s..............
Evening star., 1924-05-20

A bone to the dog is not charity.
Charity is the bone shared with the
dog when you are just as hungry as
the dog
Evening star., 1924-05-20

tP.rtly extra. &Payahle In preferred stock.
Dividend rates n given in tho above tabis
arc the annual cash payments based on the
latest quafterly or half-yearly declarations.
Unless otherwise noted. extra or special
dividends are not included
High. Low. Last.
Call Money!. 3 s 8
HOURLY SALES OF STOCKS.
II a.m..... 2S4, 500 I'm 8S4.9
1p.m..... %4l,200 2p.m. .645 500
Evening star., 1924-05-20
NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE
Received by Private Wire Direct to The Star Onee

-
Am Hide G. Lea.
Am Hide & l. pf.
Am Ice (7;......
Am Internatl.
Am LaF F. E(1).
Am Linseed. -.
Am Linseed pf.
Am Locomo (6).
Am Radiator %.
Am SAT- r (50c).
Am Ship & Com.
Am SIN & Re CD.
Am S & r pf 90.
Am Stl Fdys (3).
Am Sugar.
Am Sugar pf (7).
Am T & Tel (9)..
Am Tobac (12).
Am Tob r (12)..
Am Tob pf o..
Am Water Wks.
Am w w pf (6).
Am Woolen CO..
Am Wool pf 60.
Am Zinc.
Am Zinc pf.
Anaconda.
Arm pf Del CO..
Arm Cons & Co.
Asso Dry G. (5).
Asso Oil (1k)...
At T & S Fe (6)..
A T G. S F. pf (5).
At Goa st l. 90.
At Gulf & w L..
Allan Ref (4)....
Austin-N Nichols. :.
Bald Loco o..
Bal & Ohio (5)...
Bal & Oh pf 90.
BarnSdall A.
BarnSdall B.
B'ch Nut (2.40)..
Beth Steel (5)...
Beth Sti pf o..
Br'k Edison (8)..
Brlyn Edison rts.
Brk-Man Tran.
Br Man T pf co..
Brklyn UnG 60
Brown Shoe o..
Burns Br (10)...
Burns Br B (2)..
Bush TIE pf Co.,.
Butte G & Zinc.
Butee&Superior
Butterick Co.
Cal Packing (6)..
Cal Pet (1A)...
Callahan z Lead.
Calu & Ariz CO..
Calumet & Hecla.
Cent Leather Co.
Cent Lea Co pf. >.
Ger de Pas c 90.
Chand Mot o..
Che & Ohio o..
Chic & Alton pf.
Chic CT West.
Chic ct West pf.
Chic & East Ill.
Ch Mil 4 St Paul.
Oh Mil & St P pf.
Chi & Nwn o..
Oh StP Min & o.
Ch Pneu T (5).
Chic r / & Pac. :.
c r 1 & p pf 3d..
Chi Yellow c %.
Chile Cop (2h)..
Chino Copper.
Cluett, Peab (5).
Coca-Cola (7)....
Colo Fuel & Iron.
Col G & E (2.60)..
Congoleum o..
Consol Cigar.....
Consol Gas g..
Cont Can (4).....
Corn Products. =.
Cosden Co.
Cosden pf (7....
Crucible Stl o..
Cub Am Sug (3)..
Cub Cane Su pf. =,
Cuyamel FIR Co..
Danl Boone M (3)
Davidson Chem.
De Beers Mines.
Del & Hud o..
Del l. & w o..
Det Ed Co o..
Doug-Pectin %.
Du PIT de- N (3).
Du P de N db go.
East K (t5 5X)....
Eaton Ak (2.60)..
Ell Stor Bat o..
End-John (5)....
Erie. ............
Erie 1st pf.
Erie I'd pf. ......
Exch Buffet (2)..
Famous Pl o..
Famous Pl pf (s).
Ed M & s pf CO..
Fifth Av B (64c).
Fisher Bdy (10)..
Fish B o pf go.
Fisk Rubber.
Fleishman o..
Foundation co..
Freeport-Texas..
Gen Asphalt. 80.
Gen Elec (8).....
Gen Mot (1.20)...
Gen Mot pf o..
Gen Mot db (6)..
Gen Petm (2)....
Gen Refr (4).....
Glidden Co.
Gold Dust. ........
Goldywn Pict. -.
Goodrich. 10000.
Goodrich pf Cd.
G'dyear pr pf go.
CRANKY Consol. >.
Gray & Davis. -.
Ct North pf 3D..
CIR Nor Ore (3).
CIR Canaan Cop.
Ct West S pf Cd.
Gu Mo & N pf 60
Gulf st Stl go.
hartman 60 (f1..
Hayes Will (3).
Houston Oil. .....
Hud Mot c (3).
Hupp Mot c d..
Illinois Cent CO..
Ill Cent pf o..
Indep Oil (1).....
Indiahoma Ref. =.
Inland Stl (2h)..
Inspiration Cop.
Interb Rap TT.
Int Bus Ma o..
Int Cement o..
Int Com Eng CD.
Internal Har(5).
Int Mer Mar pf. >.
Internal Nickel.
Inter Nick pf 60.
Internal Paper.
Int Pap pf st 60.
Int Rys c Am 60
Evening star., 1924-05-20

Pay Stock of
able. Record.
July 1 June 6
June 20 May 81
June 80 June 20
June 2 May q
June 16 June 10
July I June s
able In common
i've cash at rate
9 to company a
'ose. If paid in
one-fortieth of 4
June 16 May 81
July Is June 80
!nts Of 2 on com
l, and $1D On
June 16 June 8
July 25 July 10
Aug. 1 July 10
June Is May 81
June 16 May 81
Evening star., 1924-05-20

IL am. 1882 600 IL noon 7166 900
1p.m., 8 $50 600 2p.m.. 10 049 900
Evening star., 1924-05-20
DIVIDENDS.

Pay Stock of
able. Record.
Kennecott Cop. Co., O., 75c July 1 June q
Solar Refining Co., s-a.. S. June 20 May 81
Burroughs Adding Machine
Evening star., 1924-05-20

The New Orleans, Texas and Mex
leo road has withdrawn its applica-
tion to the Interstate Commerce Com
mission to declare a 10 per cent stock
dividend and in conformity with the
terms of the agreement between the
Missouri Pacific and the bankers, has
declared a special dividend of 16 Il
per cent amounting to s2,475,000.
Evening star., 1924-05-20

JOIQdu "Ot (SJs &c
Kansas & Gulf. :.
Kan City South. =.
Kayser Jul & Co.
Kelly Spr Tire.
Kenne Cop o..
keystone T & r. .
Kresge SIS o..
Leo Rub & Tire. >.
Leh Val (3h)....
L,eh Val rights. >.
Lima Loco o..
Loews Inc (2)....
Lorrillard 3d..
Loriuard pf CO..
Louis & N'sh 60.
Ludlum Stl CD.
Mcintyre (75c)..
Mack Trucks co..
Magma Copper.
Mallinson & Co.
Man Ell mod gtd 4.
Manhat Shirt CD.
Mkt st Ry pr pf.
Marlin Rockwell.
Evening star., 1924-02-21
RAYMOND MOULTON
CLAIMED BY DEATH
Was Purchasing Agent for United
States Chamber of
Commerce.

Raymond W. Moultor, forty eight
years old. for six years purchasing
agent for the United States Chamber of
Commerce, died at his home, 261S 18th
street northwest. yesterday.
No funeral services will be held. The
body will be- cremated as requested by
Mr.. Moulton shortly before his death.
Mr.. Moulton was born in this city
July - 1875 He was the son of Mrs.
Anna Moulton and Horace Il. Moulton-
He attended the public schools here and
was a graduate of the National Uni
yersity Law School. During the inSur-
rertion in the Philippines he served as
d private secretary to Brig. Gen. Theo-
dore Schwan. He went TO the islands
with Gen Schwan and although serving
several of the major battles during the
uprising.
Previous to that time Mr.. Noulton
served for many years as clerk in the
War Department being connected with
the recruiting service. He served in the
adjutant generals Office until June.
1899, at which time he was transferred
to the Philippines.
War College Chief Clerk.
When the Army War College was
was assigned to duty as it's chief
clerk and took an important part
in the organization Of tS.t institu-
tlon. Upon creation of the Office Of
chief of staff of the Army he was
selected by Lieut.. Gen. Young, the
first incumbent of that post, as the
latter's private secretary. He was