davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1933-11-28
.LAUD AND CENSURE
.R0LPH IN LYNCH|NC
Prominent Americans Wire
Protests and Praise to
Governor.
Continued From First Page.)

bestiality has taken the place of civiliza-
ton"
Justice Of the Peace Chester w
Moore. before whom Thurmond and
Holmes were to have been arraigned
yesterday on charges of kidnapping Hart
and throwing him into San Francisco
Bay, closed his records with the follow
ing notation: The above entitled action
terminated by the unofficial hanging OF
the above defendants in ST. James Park
November 26 1888"
Thurmonds relatives, after expressing
belief he was insane and issuing a
statement condemning the lynching
claimed the body Holmes father
Maurice Holmes. while reiterating be-
lief in his sons innocence, had not
claimed the body.
PRAISED AND CONDEMNED.
Evening star., 1933-11-28

in my opinion" McNinch added, "be
promptly abandoned by the power in
dustry, but If this Is not done then
such service contracts should be
brought under the strictest supervision
for the ultimate good Of both the in
dustry and the consuming public"
Evening star., 1933-11-28
Will Serve Turkey Dinner.

LOVETTSvILLE, Va. November 20
(SpeciaD The Mite Society Of the Re-
formed Church of Lovettsville, will serve
turkey dinner and an oyster supper in
the town hall Thanksgiving day. Fancy
articles and candy win also be on sale
Proceeds for the benefit Of the church.
Evening star., 1933-11-28

to deter crime during the days of the
Klondyke gold rush. in which he par
ticipated, but, he added, there were
no courts there"
Roy wilkins, assistant secretary OF
the National Association for the Ad-
vancement of Colored People: Cali
fornia has given the country lesson IN
most brazen approval of lynching by
highest officials the country has ever
seen"
CONGRATULATIONS on your attitude to-
ward the red-blooded Californians who
did the finest thing that has been heard
of in years" wired Mrs. AtWater heht'
Ardmore. Pa.
II agree with you as to your attitude
reported in New York papers today
respecting lynching of Hart kidnaperS
and murderers," messaged George Henry
Sherman, Glenridge, N. Y. Many OF
those with whom discussed the matter
today agree with me-"
w Cutler and C. E. Godsey Blue
field. w. Va, said. Congratulations on
YOUR courageous action.
Henri Chouteau, st. Louis, MO- salo:
Thank God there is one Governor VINO
has horse sense. Heartiest congratuia-
tions."
Paul Scharrenberg. secretary OF the
California State Federation Of Labor:
ct is very, very sad and dep!orapie
that We have a chief executive VINO
could make such a statement"
Ministers Protest.
A strongly worded resolution calling
upon Governor Rolph to "retract or
deny his reported favorable comment
upon the action of the mob was
adopted by the Los Angeles Ministerial
Association.
Il hope that the San Jose lynching
will be an impressive lesson for years
to come" said Mrs. Herbert Cornish.
prominet Los Angeles clubWoman.
ut should convince the criminals OF
California that the people of this State.
when they are aroused to the point OF
taking matters into their own hands
will not hesitate. We waste too much
time and money letting unscrupulous
lawyers help criminals evade the law by
taking advantage of all sorts of tech
nicalities. l have discussed the lynch
ing episode with many people and they
all feel the same way: That while they
do not condone mob violence, such an
instance as this will be very Salutary
lesson for criminals"
Evening star., 1933-03-15
NAVAL SELECTION
BOARDS TO MEET
Construction Corps Officers
Called Today in First of
Four Sessions.

Four Selection Boards are meeting
this month at the Navy Department tc
choose officers for promotion in the
staff corps.
Assigned the task OF picking six lieu
tenant commanders for promotion to
commander in the Construction Corps
board, headed by Rear Admiral
Horatio G. GillQor, convened today
Others on the board are: Capts. Viii
liam G. DuBose, Ernest F. Eggert
Lewis B. Mcbride, Isaac I. Yates and
Alexander H. Van Keuren. All are
officers of the Construction Corps. The
boards recorder is Comdr. Philip G
Lauman.
Two Selections Boards will assemble
on Monday at the department. A group
OF officers from the Civil Engineer
Corps will select two lieutenant COM
manders for promotion to commander
A Medical Selection Board will recon-
mend % lieutenant commanders fol
promotion to commander.
Rear Admiral Archibald L. Parsons
chief of the Bureau of Yards ano
Docks, will be president of the Civil
Engineer Corps Board, and serving with
him will be: Rear Admiral Reuben e
Bakenhus, Capts. George A. Mckay
Ernest r. Gayler. Paul L. Reed and
Clinton D. Thursber. L. A. Morrison
will serve as recorder of this board.
The president of the medical selection
board will be Rear Admiral Charles
P. Kindleberger. Medical Corps. U. S. N
With him will be these associates:
Capts. Middleton S. Elliott, Will M
Carton, Owen j. Mink. David G. Gather
Curtis B. Munger and Dallas G. Sutton
all naval medical officers. Lieut.
Comdr. John Harper Of the Medical
Corps will be recorder.
On March 27, Supply Corps selec-
ton board will convene to choose one
commander for promotion to captain
and one lieutenant commander for pro-
motion to commander. This group will
be headed by Capt David V. Chadwick.
Members will be: Capts. Victor S.
Jackson, Neal B. Farwell, Elijah H.
Cope, Lewis w. Jennings, jr.; Walter
d. Sharp and Richard H. Johnston. all
members Of the Supply Corps. The
boards recorder will be Comdr. John
B, Ewald
Evening star., 1933-03-15

mock: Peoples Bank Of Bloxom,
Bloxom; Farmers Bank Of Hague,
Hague; Packers State Bank, Wake;
Bank Of AAddlesex, sSaluda; Citizens
Exchange Bank & Trust Co., West
Point; Eastville Bank, Eastville; Tenn
peranceville Bank, Temperanceville
Eastern Shore Banking Co., Keller.
Citizens Bank & Trust Co., Char
lottesville; the Vienna Trust Co.,
Vienna: Citizens Waynesboro Bank &
Trust Co., Waynesboro; Mount Sidney
Bank, Mount Sidney: Fluvanna County
Bank, Fort Union; Commercial &
Savings Bank, Winchester; Bank Of
Glasgow, Glasgow; Boyce State Bank,
Boyce; Bank Of Clarke County, Berry,
Vile; Middletown State Bank, Middle
town; Peoples Bank Of Amelia, Amelia;
Bank Of Halifax, Halifax.
Vaughan & Co., Franklin; Bank OF
Chatham, Chatham: Planters Bank 81
Trust Co.. Chatham; Meherrin Valley
Evening star., 1933-03-15

Bank, Boykins; Bank Of Capron,
Capron: Campbell County Bank. Rust
burg: Peoples Bank, Reedville; the
Bank Of Mathews. Mathews; the Farmers
g. Fishermens' Bank, Mathews; Bank
Of Northumberland, Heathsville; Citi-
Zens' Savings Bank, Onancock: Bank
Of Northampton, Massawaddcx; Peoples
Trust Bank, Exmore.
Farmers & Merchants Trust Bank,
Cape Charles; Citizens Bank & Trust
Co., Clarksville; Wachapreague Bank
ing Co., Wachapreague; Farmers &
Merchants Bank, New Church; Bank
OF Chincoteague, Inc. Chincoteague; ;
Farmers Bank of Edinburg. Edinburg;
First & Citizens Bank & Trust Co.,
Monterey; Bank of Salem, Salem;
Farmers q Merchants Bank. Blacks
burg: Cambria Bank, Cambria; Bank
of Fluvanna, Palmyra; State Bank of
Remington, Remington; State Bank Of
Madison, Madison; Chesterfield County
Evening star., 1933-03-15

Bank, Chester: Shenandoah Valley
Loan d Trust Corporation. Woodstock.
Authorization Today
Additional authorizations for reopen
ing Of II member banks. 8 in Virginia
and in Maryland, were issued today,
as follows:
Virginia-First National Bank at
Christiansburg, Culpeper National Bank
at Culpeper, Second National Bank at
Culpeper, Citizens National Bank at
Front Royal, First National Bank at
Lovingston, Old Point National Bank
at Phoebus
Maryland-Farmers' National Bank
at Annapolis, Dunton National Bank
at Dunton. First National Bank at
Gaithersburg, Citizens National Bank at
Laurel, Silver Spring National Bank
at Silver Spring.
Evening star., 1933-03-15
Metropolitan Area
Banks Now Active
Under u. S. Licenses

The following Washington banks
are now open under Government
license:
Columbia National Bank.
Liberty National Bank.
Lincoln National Bank.
National Bank of Washington.
National Metropolitan Bank.
National Capital Bank.
Riggs National Bank.
Second National Bank.
American Security g. Trust Co.
Munsey Trust Co.
National Savings & Trust Co.
Union Trust Co.
Washington Loan & Trust Co.
Anacostia Bank.
Bank of Commerce & Savings.
East Washington Savings Bank.
McLachlen Banking Corpora
ton.
Morris Plan Bank.
Security Savings & CONNER
cial Bank.
Washington Mechanics Savings
Bank.
Banks in the metropolitan area
have been authorized to open as
follows on a 100 per cent basis:
Citizens Bank of Takoma Park.
Takoma Park Bank.
Bank of Bethesda.
Prince Georges Bank e. Trust
Co. of Hyattsville and Mount
Rainier.
Citizens Bank of Riverdale.
Arlington Trust Co. of Rosslyn.
Clarendon Trust Co. of Clar-
endon.
Falls Church Bank.
Alexandria's four banks, the
First National, Citizens National,
Alexandria National and Burke &
Herbert.
Banks in the metropolitan area
authorized to open on a limited
basis follow:
Bank Of Bowie, 2 per cent with
drawals.
The metropolitan district of
Montgomery and Prince Georges
does not include all the area in
these two counties.
Evening star., 1933-03-15

received license to reopen, conserva-
tors we're studying closely instructions
sent by the Treasury Department late
last night. The conservators are now
Government officials, and the IS banks
are under the direct control Of the
controller of the currency. The front
doors of these banks were open, and
holders of safety deposit boxes were
allowed access to these boxes. Change
also was being made over the counters.
Evening star., 1933-03-15
VETERANS ENTERTAINED
Ben Bernie and His Lads" Visit
Walter Reed Hospital.

Ben Bernie, radio and stage star, now
appearing at local theater. along with
all his lads" offered a special program
of entertainment for veterans in Walter
Reed Hospital at 2:15 O'Clock this after
noon.
The program was held in the Red
Cross Building at the hospital.
Evening star., 1933-03-15

ment that 10000 convention delegates
would be in Washington in April. We
are working constantly on the attend
ance side Of these conventions and
from correspondence We are receiving
daily we see no reason to change our
forecast in regard to April business.
We are now in active contact with
something like 200 national convention
organizations with a view to obtaining
their future meetings for Washington.
"At the tourist information booths
OF our organization, the number of
hotel reservations and requests for in
formation for the week ending March
13 showed an increase OF so per cent
over the corresponding period Of last
year. There has been no diminution
90 far this week"
Exchange Opens Tomorrow.
At meeting Of the board of gov
ernors of the Washington Stock Ex-
change held shortly before noon today
1t was voted to reopen the exchange at
the usual time tomorrow. The COVER
nors adopted the following resolution
Resolved, That the Washington
Stock Exchange shall be opened for
business at the usual hour, on Thurs
DAY. March 16. trading to be in all
listed bonds and stocks of public utility
companies, and such other securities as
may be admitted for trading from time
to time on order Of the board of gov
ernors''
The local exchange has been closed
throughout the bank holiday.
The Washington offices of New York
Stock Exchange houses were crowded
to the doors today when business on
the big board was resumed in Wall
Street. Intense interest was taken
among traders here as to what quota
tions would come out on the translux
when business started up again, afte-
the bank holiday.
General satisfaction was expressed
among officials in local brokerage
houses over the manner in which the
market opened. The volume of trading
was very heavy and stocks started the
day from to points above the quota
eions at the time Of suspension Of busi-
ness. The opening was considered con-
Dervative and much optimism prevailed
IN local Offices over the long-term out
look
All building and loan associations
throughout the city continued today
to operate as they did yesterday, on
virtually a normal business basis. The
only restrictions applied, under au-
thority Of the Secretary of the Treas
ury were those also in effect In banks,
to prevent heavy Withdrawals for
boarding. The lobbies Of these associa-
tions presented scenes reminiscent OF
days before the banking holiday, while
,. ofncials Of the associations reported
The same optimistic sentiment noted IN
he banks. Deposits were heavy.
~ ths II banks which have not yet
Evening star., 1933-11-16
VETERANS INSURANCE
EXEMPTIONS STUDIED
States Confused Over Congressional
0rder-Supreme Court Hears
Argument.
BY the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
To what extent Congress intended to
exempt from attachments, taxes and
other processes the compensation and
war risk Insurance paid to World War
veterans was argued yesterday In the
Supreme Court
The question was declared of great
importance not only to the veterans, but
also to the States In which they reside.
At present there is confusion on the
subject, with Minnesota, Georgia and
Arkansas holding the funds are exempt
as long as earmarked and identifiable
and Kansas, Tennessee, Alabama, North
Carolina and Virginia ruling the power
OF exemption in the hands of Congress
extended only to the time the money
reached the veteran or his legal repre-
sentative
The issue came into court in a case
from Tennessee. j. T. Trotter, guardian
OF Joseph A. Leake, a World War vet
eran, purchased property for him at
Maryville out of compensation and war
risk insurance paid by the Veterans
Bureau Trotter refused to pay taxes on
the property. claiming 1t was exempt
under the act of Congress placing re-
str1ctions on money payable to veterans.
It was argued for the veteran that
Congress intended to exempt from tax
alton the money payable even when
invested IN real estate. He said this was
within the power of Congress.
The State insisted Congress intended
only to guard the funds until they
reached the hands Of the veterans or
their guardians.
Evening star., 1933-11-16
PROPOSALS.
TREASURY

TREASURY DEPARTMENT. PROCURE
ment Division, Public Works Branch, Wash.
ington. D: C., November. 10. i933.-Sealed
bids in duplicate subject to the conditions
in this once at B pm. December /. 1888:
performing all work. for metal library
stacks, etc. N TIE z g department, IN Mt, o.
ton. b. g. Attention is directed to the
relative e rates of VASES; The Act Of March
tic materials; and the special conditions Of
bidding set forth in the specification. Draw
ings and specifications. not exceeding 3 sets,
may be obtained at this once in the dis
cretion Of the Supervising Architect BY any
general contractor. and provided a deposit
Of $500 is made for each set 70 assure its
prompt return. One set viii be furnished
builders, m exchanges chambers Of c%ommeTee %
to make them available for any sub-con-
tractor or material irm interested. and to
quantity surveyors, provided q deposit OF
$500 is made to assure It's prompt return.
psyable e the order OF the TressuTer o. the
accepted, JAS a, WTTMoRE. Actins
Supervising Archtect: ro1A16,1S
Evening star., 1933-11-16
WIFE KILLS WOMAN
ENTICED TO HOME
Shoots as Other Warns Man Ac-
cuesd of stepping Out"
First Shot Fatal.
By the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
DALLAS, Tex, November I6.-Mrs.
L. w. Boone. IS. enticed Mrs. Pearl
Hall, 80, to the Boone home yesterday
and then shot and killed her. DO
lice said. as result Of reports that
Boone had been stepping out"
A murder charge was filed against
Mrs. Boone.
Boone was asleep when the two wou.
en- entered his bed room. As he be-
came aroused, he told officers In a
statement, Mrs. Hall told him, Dan,
she's got u.s."
Boone said ne started to get out Of
bed. His wife ordered him back.
Boone said he asked Mrs. Morrison.
neighbor, who accompanied Mrs.
Boone on the early morning trip 10
Mrs. Halls home, to call an ambulance.
Mrs. Boone told officers that she had
been receiving telephone reports for
the past week that my husband was
stepping out" She said Mrs. Hall told
her ON the way to the Boone home
she had been going with Mr.. Boone
for about six months
Il had picked up my gun ON the way
through the house." Mrs. Boone said.
When the woman turned toward me
with her hand under her coat, went
crazy and fred once"
Evening star., 1933-11-16
AUCTION sALEs-FUTURE DAYS.
THos. J. OWEN q SON. AUCTToNEERs.
TRusTEEs SALE OF VALUABLE TWO:
KNOWN AS PREMIsEs so7 RAM

TRUSTEES SALE OF VALUABLE TWO
STORY ROW BRICK RESIDENCE
KNOWN AS PREMISES BOZ RAN
recorded in LlbeT s5o7, folio So, Of The land
at the request of the party secured thereby.
the undersigned trustee will sell at public
auction, in front Of the the pEsmtsss s On WE'D ds
NOVEMBER d. 1898. AT FOUR O'CLOCK
PM. the following described LAND and prem
nintey-seven (e7l in D. J. Dunigan's sub
division of lots in block numbered seventy
three (73) "Petworth Addition TO the City
Lber 46. at folio 5S, OF the records Of the
surveyor of the District OF Columbia;
Terms Of sale: one-third of the pur-
two equal instaliments. payable in one and
two years, with interest at SIX per cent
per annum. payable semi annually from day
Of sale, secured by first deed OF trust upon
the property sold. or all cash at the option
of the purehaser. -. A deposi. Of $3.50 will will
veyancing. recording. etc, at cost OF pur-
chaser. Terms of sale to- be complied with
within fifteen days from day OF sale other,
wise the trustee reserves the right to resell
the property at the risk and cost OF de-
faulting purchaser after fve days, rsadver-
UNION TRUST COMPANY OF THE
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. Trustee.
BY GEORGE Z. FLEMING;
'Sff'3,2r fifs'3,2rsas assE, s!sEs9sE5 zIssE,.
nail -dlrda axSu
Evening star., 1933-11-16
THOS. J. OWEN ~ SON, AUCTIONEERS.
l43l EYE ST. NV
TRUSTEES SALE OF VALUABLE UNIM-
PROVED REAL ESTATE, LOCATED AT
FORTY -sE COND AND JENIFER

TRqsJEEs SALE OF yALuABLE rIJs UNIMr {;
gfaEETg e E 81 NoEfn%S5r. e e e Ng AND 'ENIFEH
rsdedss BY stqs n q S een N $3.50 sss It oo ou ss su e
seq. Of the land records of the. District Of
columbia, and at the request q the part,
secured thereby the fs6n. trustee viii
ss ss at On pu9S sHs2n The Il rCrs y
pay piI 81 ToyEMRERs @ Nh AD. 4, 1888, M AT FOUR 1s
District Of Columbia. and designated as and
Sfns Dsi sacs msss and
bounds as follows: Beginning for the. same
s s. 0p also SHanS noxn on BE- Ssifs Id ss
95 feet .northerly from the southeast corner
of the land Of William Voigt. and running
hens aens the hef'W Westerly line OF said Belt rd
JIo2 feet to stone bound ni thence 1cey soq5e abs
sCuthely line Of The and Surveyed I 81 john
H. Jarabee to Harry s. Rohrer by deed deed
dated June g. 1906. and recorded in Liber
ss ao2 bsret M foS S 1r se
stone ts Sud bound. thence south s. 3os east smag-
Isss nss ee SnT to the stons Bound ana thence
north s6S s, 4o@ east lmagneticl. along the
land OF said William voigt, 1856 feet to
he paSe parcel Of land
condemned and taken BY the I District d oi
cSgmsts for tns IN q pssct
Cause No 1881 In the Supreme Court OF
'air Terms % Of sale: one-fifth Of the purchase
money to be paid in cash. balance in four
equal installments. PAYABLE In one Two,
three and four years, with interest az SIX
HuaIy from day oi sale. secured iS,a By frst st
ali cash at the option OF the purchaser.
deposit of $3.50 will be required at time OF
sale All conyeyancing; recording. revenue Tsrus
of sale to be complied with within thirty
days from day Of sale othergise Wis n1o1srty the s
the risk and cost OF defaulting purchaser,
after five days advertisement. OF such Iesale
in some newspaper published IN "asnins-
'''i' ~ " AMERICAN SECURITY AND
TRUST COMPANY. trustee.
BY VIM. L. BEALE. Vice PRESIDENT
(Seal) Attest;
A. H. SHILLINGTON.
Assistant Secretary.
"a, c.,
Evening star., 1933-11-16
TBos. ]. OWEN & SON, AuCTIONEERS,
1431 EYE ST. NV.

ESTATE BEING A TWO-STORY. SEMI
DETACHED. BRICK DWELLING. CON
TANNING EIGHT ROOMS AND BATH,
KNOWN AS SIG FERN STREET NORTH
Nv Virtue of a certain deed OF trust. re-
corded in Liber No. 1888 at folio 377 OF
the land records Of the District OF Oolum.
bs thereST. the undermined will sell at pubic
auction in front Of the premises, on WE'D
fsSArT fess' AT FOUR O'Clock PM. the follow
ing-described land and premises situate In
the District Of Columbia ana ,,, being M i9t
bSmShsai By Charles i. assEins Of lots p SQUARE
numbered thirty-one hundred and eighty
Sc NO s7 ssisf folio Il a. Of tie E 81 the oee
Terms IS Of sale: Purchaser 20 pay one
fourth of the purchase price in cash. the
balance in three installments In enc. two
and three years. respectively. with interest
at the rate Of six sel per csntum per an an
property sold. or all cash at the option OF
the purchaser; taxes paid or adjusted to the
date Of sale: purchaser to pay interest on
purchase price from date OF sale to date OF
settlement at six fel per centum per an
stamps. etc. at the cost Of the purchaser;
good title or no sale deposit Of S250.00
viii be required at the time Of sale and
settlement &c. be within thirty t30l, DAYS
Of the date Of sale, or DEPOSIT forfeited. and
the defauitins purchaser. after fys fsi
days previous advertisement Of said resale
IN some newspaper puhhshed IN Washing
''.' = wRxf.kY JACOBS ~
S55 18th st. NV.
noll-d&ds,ex61 washington. D. q.
Evening star., 1933-11-16


at Corner Sixteenth Street
and Rhode Island Avenue,
Cirard Street and Brentwood
Road, NE.
BY virtue Of decree Of the Supreme
SMITH asessssa Rsai.y 'tssS Gauss q No SEs S5a4s
for sale y public suction 1s'fs IN front M Of 0ss s
IsWsREssEf RlGBsts' BAY Or q NSaRA 155s
at: i As Ps,sIss e SsIsRSIss s's '''s Wiz:
division Of q lots IN N siock 30 south BrooP ooP-
land" as per plat recorded in the. once
f Hs II pss1st .as Sosi S qiS' a1 ssha IN
now known for purposes OF assessment and
way over lo-foot roadway % running f s along az
the north side OF the dividing line between
Lots lots 10 and 10. in said sauarei subiect, 70
tyS1stogy and cellar ,stucco dwelling. No
I522 brentwood road ne; containing z
IMMEDIATELY THEREAFTER:
Of lots in block 20. South Brookiand." now
and rosd sso immedi 1Ssn
ately IN the rear thereof; lot 10. in clifford
s sISassOn nov Sf kOsvh Os in sqek
square 40Is: except the sOutherly 20 feet
'ners0ii iMMEPPATEaY MSMhBPs3zsai THEREAFTER:
being part Of. tract known as 1tSf Sinciosurei isai
OF enclosure" described as follows; Begin
ming at the southeast corner of 10th and
thence north Sc deSrees iS Minutes nns5 and S
seconds east, 16.41 feet; thence south I3
degrees and 81 minutes east. 122.01 feet,
70 the north line Of Rhode Island avenue
tnenee " ee with t the line Of said avenue south
THENCE northerE aiong, the line ' of ''feSi 18th
BY four az one-story cement block. granite
Isced-front stores. Nos. 1000 and 1902
SformerIy aa1%1 % and AS aS1s5 1esh ahd stFees fsaS
IMMEDIATELY THEREAFTER:
Fart parcel 144!4. Beginning at a point
on the southerly line Of Girard street north
east. 1871 feet easterly and distant from
e iets snf osTEs5s aEs5a
the line dividing the Heidef asi'In and McpaHisi nh
properties. about lib feet. 10 The north line
OF Rhode Island avenue; thence southwest
cry eeaiy along the line Of said avenue. about
hsRss se. Perth to Il Il. sssfsslnMs q
Terms OF sale; Cash. A deposit of
$500 % on the improved business property
and 5000 on each OF the other parcels
REQUIRED OF purchaser at time of sale All
conveyancing. recording. revenue stamps and
Sf Says sale fso to dsz Be Complied With within thirty
and cost Of defaultins purchases. sfter Tye ye
days advertisement Of such resale In some
newspaper published in washington D. q,
aE9; 45s i; India5LSv dSia5vEEr ESc ~ NV
QoS-Q&QS.exSu Surviving Trustaa