davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1936-02-26
EXCHANGE PROBES
UTILITIES FURRY
Transactions on Day of
T. v. A., Ruling Will Be
Examined.
By the Associated Press.

Sy the ASaoClaLEd FEeSS.
NEW YORK, February 26.-Reper-
cussions of the wide and confused
swings in utility shares which followed
the Supreme Court T. v. A. decision
were felt today as the New York Stock
Exchange sent members two ques-
tionnaires.
One, on utility stock transactions,
Was forwarded at the request of the
Stock Exchange Business Conduct
Committee.
The other, on general trading
activities, was distributed at the sug-
gestion of the Securities & Exchange
Commission.
The first report on members daily
transactions must be filed by March
13. covering the week beginning
March 2. These reports were started
on June 10. 1885, and dropped last
December.
February II Data Wanted.
The committee on business conduct,
in its QUESTIONABLE, has asked data
on utility stock transactions on Feb
ruary II, the day Of the Supreme
Court T. v. A. decision when the
market swayed wildly under the
leadership of gyrating power shares.
The data is to be submitted on l3
utility stocks. It is to be turned in
by every registered firm and exchange
member who Is not partner in any
firm by noon. Friday. February 2s.
The report asks the aggregate num-
Der Of shares bought and sold for the
account Of reporting member or firm,
or of any partner of the reporting
firm as principals, but not acting as
brokers.
Shares Are Listed.
Information on the following stock
Is required: American g. Foreign
Power, Inc, common; American Power
q Light. common and IS cumulative
preferred; American Water Works g.
Electric Co., common; Columbia Gas
d. Electric Corp, common; Common
wealth g. Southern Corp, common.
Consolidated Gas Co., common;
Electric Power & Light Corp, COM
mon; National Power & Light Co..
common; North American Co., COM
mon; United Corp, common; United
Gas Improvement Co., common. and
the Utility Power &, Light Corp,
class "A"
Evening star., 1936-02-26

BY the Associated Press.
NEW YORK, February 26.-Japanese
obligations broke sharply in the bond
market today in response to the po-
litical disturbances in Toxic. United
States Government loans were up and
corporate issues irregular.
Liquidation knocked japanese 6l2s
down more than points, while the
512s were off about 2 points. Selling
in this sector was contagious and
quickly hit Japanese corporate obliga-
tions also. The Great Consolidated
Electric Power of Japan rs were off
around 2 points and the IS were
down about 3.
In the United States Treasury list
the 27ss. the representative loan in
this group, ran up approximately
4/32ds. Home Owners Loan "a S were
in good demand, leading the advance
in the Government-gu guaranteed di-
vision.
Medium and low priced rail liens
were soft again today, handful sag
ging point or so. including Baltimore
e. Ohio 4las. st. Paul SIS, Erie IS, Mis-
souri, Pacific IS and Southern Pa
cific 4l2s.
Evening star., 1936-02-26
CHICAGO PRODUCE.

CHICAGO. February % tlP.-Poultry
live 9 trucks; firm Hens. 5 pounds and
less. %; more than pounds. 2Ok; Leg
horn hens: 10. Plymouth and White Rock
Springs: %: colored. "a; broilers. %; Leg
1sa2?; heavy white ducks "a small 22;
heavy colored ducks. %; small. 21; geese.
2 pounds. 20.
. Dressed turkeys steady; prices un-
Potatoes. 104; on track. 375: total U. 6.
shipments. s77: Colorado McC1ures firm.
!dano Russets steady, slightly firmer under
liberal demand moderate for Western
stock SLOW for Northern whites: sacked per
ewt:: Idaho Russet Burbanks, u S. No. 1,
1.a0-so: y. s. No, 2. l50-60: Wisconsin
Mountains. u S. No. 1. i. .42h: North Da-
kota Red River section Bliss Triumphs, q
s; No. !. l.25: Minnesota Cobblers, U s.
No. /, 1.25: Colorado McClures, U. s. No.
J.; l.57 I2-75: Nebraska and Wyoming Bliss
1.35-4o
Evening star., 1936-02-26
CHICAGO LIVE STOCK.

-. CHICAGO February 20 R (U. s. Dept.
q Asriculture).- Hogs. 10000. including
Tuesdays average: top. 1925: bulk Is0-
o5ss o5o pounds. l0.00a20; 250-3l0 pounds,
e.oSa1O.00; few 1910; most sows. o 90Oa25
Cattle 5000; calves. 1900; fed steers
ana yearlings strong to 20 higher; gem
eral trade more active; lower grade steers
seiIine ct 100 downward showing full ad-
vance: replacement buyers giving gillers
considerable Se1tas competition for such kinds;
shipper account: most early sales 25a
1000: choice offerings held above II 90:
sizable supply Of meaty weighty steers on
country naccount eco at 7.0oa45; best veaiers
,,dss sheep s,.. 1000 snnnd fat lambs opening slow
sidered: some bids Is OF; sheep a6.,nt
steady; early top, 1000 on choice lambs
load desirable Western ewes 4.25: scat
tered ewes. 4.50a5.25; feeding lambs
oficial estimated receipts tomorrow:
Cattle. 5000; hogs. $4,000; sheep. 1900
Evening star., 1936-02-26
FOREIGN EXCHANGES,

NEW YORK. February 20 tR.-Foreisn
others in, cents, Great Britain. demand,
4;ss; cables 4ss; so;sS,sy s.s,y bil,s. ,4:ss.
demand. demand 0s s.os; cables. s.os. es' 0'0t italy
free, 1853; res. tourist $500; reg. com.
25:07: Sweden. 25.73; DenmaEk a22s;
I5sis3; Portusal sagfM ofesee. SIS. ;9G;
slavia. 2.32: Austria. 1g.05n. Hungary,
29:s5n; Runaniss so: Argentina; IS. 3.27n;
,30.30: Honskong, 3310:.. Mexico City.
&7.S6; Montreal in New York 1O0.O6A
New York in Montreal. 99.93A.
Evening star., 1936-02-26
BONDS DEPOSITS RISE.

NEW YORK, February 26 P,.-
The Bondholders' Protective Commit
tee for Eastern Cuba Sugar Corp. l5-
year TX per cent mortgage sinking
fund bonds. of which Charles Hayden
Is chairman. announced that it held
as of February Is deposits totaling
more than so per cent of the out
standing bonds under plan for re-
adjustment.
Evening star., 1936-02-26
Ba1.it Is Elected
Hudson President
TOSucceedC Chapin
BY the Assoc lated Press.

By the Assoc lated Press.
DETROIT, February 26.-A. Edward
Jlarit was elected president o. the
Hudson Motor Car Co. yesterday to
succeed Roy D. Chapin who died
February 16.
Bartt, who was vice president and
general manager Of the company, also
will retain the latter title. He joined
the company In 1909 as secretary TO
the purchasing agent.
Other executive changes announced
by the board of directors included elec.
ton Of Stuart ]. Bats as first vice
president, A. Hood as treasurer and
G. B. Sterling as secretary.
Evening star., 1936-02-26
FOREIGN MARKETS.

LONDON. February 60 R.-Influenced
BY Japanese news regardins the uncertain
ty Of the political situation there. bonds
points today under light seilins. Chinese
issues eased in sympathy Trans Atlantic.
speculative. industrial and gilt-edged Sc.
PARIS.--With International issues and
rentes following the movement. prices were
generally lower here as a, result Of the
cline in Wall Street. The closing was
BEHLIN.,-The Japanese revolt caused
IN the Boerse today. The closing was In
Evening star., 1936-02-26
AMERICAN SAFETY
RAZOR NET GAINS
1885 Income of $1,271,008
Equals $7.27 a Share.
Dividend Raised.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

NEW YORK, February 26.--The
American Safety Razor Corp. reports
for the year ending December 81 q
consolidated net income Of $1,271,-
008.29, after providing for taxes. de-
probation and other reserves, equal to
$7.27 per share on the 174,800 out
standing shares, compared with Q net
income for the year ending December
81, 1884, Of 81, ,065, ,23376, equal to $607
per share on the average number of
outstanding shares G75.615) during
1894.
Directors yesterday increased the
regular quarterly dividend from $l.25
to $3.50 per share, payable March 80,
1885, to stockholders Of record at the
close of business March 10, 1886. This
is the fiftieth consecutive regular divi-
dend.
Brillo Manufacturing.
The annual report Of Brillo Manu-
featuring Co., Inc, for the year ended
December 81 shows net earnings, after
depreciation and all charges, including
State and Federal taxes, of sl39,452,
which, after dividends of 50 per snare
on the 25,394 shares Of class A stock
outstanding, was equivalent to SIS cents
share on the 100000 shares Of no-par
common stock outstanding. This COM
pares with net earnings for 1884 Of
$15l 1881, or SO cents a share on the
common, after dividends on 25,848
shares Of class A stock outstanding at
that time.
American Woolen Co.
American Woolen Co. in its PAM
phlet report for 1885. shows that net
sales amounted to $70,317,233. COM
pared with $48,7l1,1S8 for 1934-an
increase Of S2l ,606,0 or 44.35 per
cent. Total yardage sold was the
greatest of any year since 1927. Gross
profits for 1885, as previously dis
closed in the preliminary report
amounted to S5.110145, compared with
loss of $3.513,997 in the preceding
year. After provision for depreci-
alton of $l.9l3,567 and reserve for
/ Federal income taxes of S455.979. net
profit for the year amounted to ST.
TAO 500. as compared with net loss
Of s5,45s, ,4s5 for the year 1884.
Union Electric Light.
At st. Louis the Union Electric Light
g. Power Co., reporting to stockholders
today that its net income (profi) in
1885 increased 43.5 per cent over 1884.
said that records for both electrical
output and customers were estab-
lished during the year.
The net income available to stock
holders after payment of all charges
was s6,656.419. as compared with $4,-
637,8l9 the previous year.
Sharon Steel Hoop.
Sharon Steel Hoop Co. and wholly
owned subsidiaries. with plants in
Ohio and Pennsylvania. reported 1885
net profit of s1.009,l53. after taxes
and other charges. equal to s2.74
share on the capital stock. This COM
pares with a net loss of $36.527 in
1894.
Evening star., 1936-02-26
U. s. TREASURY NOTES.
tReported by Cras. D. Barney IS COZ
Bio Offer.
NEW YORK PRODUCE.

NEW YORK. February &C P.-But-
ter, a515: steady: creamery firsts 1921
scores}. 35a35l2: centralized go scorel !,
cheese. 867 .o33: steady. Prices un-
EGGS. %, 500: hrmer. Mixed colors.
receipts. 32a3234; standards and COM
mercial standards, 31a4: frsts. 31A; me-
diums, 40 pounds. 30 dirties. No. l. A.
pounds. 30; average checks. 2S: refrtgera-
tors, best unouoted.
Live poultry steady; by freisht: all
prices unchanged.
Evening star., 1936-02-26
FEDERAL LAND BANKS
NEW YORK. February 90 lP.-Federal
Land Bank bonds.
U. S. TREASURY POSITION
BY the Associated Press.

The position of the Treasury February
"a: Receipts. -sl2.202 97s.72. Expendi-
lures, S3l. sos. 5sg.91. Net balance. ST.
S02.301 .S91.S5. Customs receipts for the
month s26 14l 53y .a;S.
Receipts for the fiscal year tsince July
! 500 601 642.2O Expenditures, ST.
6SS .5S6.233. including 81 1855 .319,391 So
OF emergency expenditures. Excess OF ex-
penditures. S2a372,9S4. 500 so. Gross debt,
1O3 so under. the previous day. Gold
assets. SlO.l61. .9ss. 535. So
Receipts for February 25. 1885 tcom.
parable date last YEAR. S15537 AIS IL:
expenditures, S16.40s. $50 81; net balance
Sa,059, 1o4. 754 80; customs receipts for
Receipts for The fscai year. 50 n4a. $50.
O65.25; expenditures, S4 49l .O24 SEQ. -.
including S2.32s.ss9.3 800 80 of emergency
247 169. 554 9s; gross debt. S2s. 500. 171.-
600 45; gold assets. Ss,52G.s14,O42.33.
Evening star., 1936-02-26
TEN BUSES ORDERED
BY CAPITAL TRANSIT
By the Associated Press.

NEW YORK, February 26.-Ameri-
can Car g. Foundry Motors Co.. sub
sidiary of American Car g. Foundry
Co., has received orders for five motor
coaches from the Transit Co. of
Harrisburg and for 10 from the Cap
ital Transit Co.
Evening star., 1936-02-26
Butler Brothers.

CHICAGO, February 26 R.-But-
Ter Brothers today reported 1885 net
earnings of sl,24s.9 .907. compared with
S1.221. .927 in 1884. Last years earn
ings equaled sl.16 per share of out
standing common stock. compared
with s1l0 the previous year.
Evening star., 1936-02-26
MONEY MARKET.

money steady: " per cent ali day. Prime
commercial paper. " per cent Time
loans. steady; go days.6 months / per
cent offered. Bankers acceptances un.
changed. Rediscount rate. New York Re.
serve Bank. Ia per cent.
Evening star., 1936-02-26
PHILADELPHIA PRODUCE,

poultry: White Leshorns, fancy. 4 pounds
and over. 23a24: ordinary 19a22..
Dressed poultry, ducks, Long Island. 23.
Evening star., 1936-02-26
MONTREAL SILVER.

futures lures opened ] stesiiy. unchanged to Is
lower. March. Ax,64b; May. 44.61b;
July. A sob. Bid.
Evening star., 1936-02-26
RUBBER FUTURES.

NEW YORK, February 20 LP-Crude
rubber futures opened barely steady. II
lower March 15.40; May. 15.52a53;
July 15.63b Bid.
Evening star., 1936-02-26
FREIGHT LOADINGS.

NEW YORK February 90 P.-Revenue
today for week ended February 22 in.
Evening star., 1936-02-26
Washington Exchange
SALES.

SALES.
City & Suburban 5s-$1 900 at 81,
$1,000 at 81.
Capital Transit Colo at IA, 10 at
IA, 10 at IA.
AFTER CALL.
Washington Railway g. Electric As
$1,000 at 1861. 81.
Capital Traction SSH 900 at 903s,
$1,000 at 903s, $1,000 at 9o3s.
Evening star., 1936-02-26
Bid and Asked Prices.
BONDS.
PUBLIC UTILITY
STOCKS.

Amer Tel. & Tel. f0-- 1904 :
SsD,t'l e. Z W. rrsns'a s,eamsos. SsE-- as5- l.
Pot Elec. Pow. So pfd. f6) 100 :
Pot Ei p. 5iaC pf t55W -'ll3 /
Wa sh. Gas 1t Co. G.60t-- II
Wash. Ry. g. e. com. I2) $3.50 :
Wash Ry g. e pfd. 80 slODla l
Evening star., 1936-02-26

FIRST TRUST REAL ESTATE
NOTES, AT CURRENT MARKET
RATES. AMPLY SECURED BY
DESIRABLE PROPERTIES.
TYLER & RUTHERFORD, INC.
1920 K St. NV. l..
MA. OATS
Evening star., 1936-02-26
INVESTING COMPANIES

NEW YORK February &c LEl.-New York
Security Dealers Association:
Evening star., 1936-07-13

came up over the river as we sat
about, to give the last touch of ro-
nance to the scene. You could feel
the spirits of those crinoline ladies
and velvet-coated men of long ago.
But we could see the happy, gay
youngsters Of today as they danced
in the ball room to Swing" music
after dinner. The Lord Fairfax Coun-
try Club is steadily increasing its
membership. You can get delicious
dinner or luncheon by appointment
and afternoon tea is served daily.
Every Saturday night there is music
and a dinner dance. The club can
be rented for private parties, and up
stairs the rooms are fixed up as at
tractive card rooms.
A balcony above the porch overlooks
the river. The old stables are still
standing and the committee wants to
renovate them so that members can
keep their horses there, as the sur
rounding country is ideal for riding.
Among those dining at the club on
Saturday night and entertaining after
ward were Col. and Mrs. Edwin Hal
sey, Mr.. and Mrs. Macdonald Douglas,
Mrs. Frank billiard, Mr.. and Mrs.
Royce Powell, Mr.. and Mrs. Harry
Middleton, Misses Jacquelyn Cochran,
Julius Parmelee and Mr.. Arthur Clar-
leen Douglas. Mimi Worthington,
Messrs. William Herbert, Alex Bever-
ley. John B. Adams, Sam Adams, Mr.,
and Mrs. Lewis Dabney, DR.. and Mrs
Julius Parmelee and Arthur Smith.
Evening star., 1936-07-13
Washington, half brother Of George,
married Bryan's sister.

Washington, half brother Of George,
married Bryan's sister.
X X n
Six weeks ago Mount Eagle was
opened as a club-the Lord Fairfax
Country Club. had heard of 1t and
wanted to see 1t, SO went down there
on Saturday. It is lovely. Situated
high upon the banks of the Potomac,
it commands a beautiful view of the
river, toward which the farm land
of green fields and orchards slope
gradually.
The spacious old white house has
been done over in the most attractive
way. Gorgeous old mantles, brilt-in
cupboards and paneled rooms have
been kept just as they were and q
large porch the entire length of the
house has been screened. The house
has been furnished with antiques and
Is altogether beautiful.
This club was started by group of
Alexandria ladies, the main object
being the preservation and perpetua-
ton of the estate, as Mount Eagle is
the last remaining historical place in
Virginia which has not been pre-
served. William Allston Graham of
Georgetown Is president of the club.
Il X \ II
On Saturday night there were many
different parties sitting around the
wide, well-kept lawn, under large trees,
and bright umbrellas, benches and
chairs were arranged against a back
ground OF old shrubbery. The moon
Evening star., 1936-07-13

The diary also shows that Mount
Eagle was the last place that George
Washington visited before his death.
Bryan Fairfax, besides being an ar
dent follower of hounds in his youth,
was one time rector Of old Christ
Church in Alexandria, and Lawrence
Evening star., 1936-07-13
BY NINA CARTER TABB.

BY NINA CAR FER TABB.
r WENT to new fox-hunting coun-
try-for me-the last week end,
but it is just about the first part of
America where gentlemen enjoyed
this sport. Mount Eagle, in Fairfax
County, just outside of Alexandria, was
the home of the eighth Lord Fairfax,
who was the son of William Fairfax of
Belvoir, place situated little farther
down the river.
The eighth Lord Fairfax was named
Bryan and he was an intimate friend
of George Washington and the latters
nearest neighbor Mount Eagle is 8
miles from Mount Vernon. Records
and Gen. Washington's diary show
that Bryan Fairfax maintained fine
stable of horses and fox hunted often
with his friend George, who was fire.
quent visitor at Mount Eagle. One of
the last entries in George Washing
tons diary says that on December 2,
1899, Lord and Lady Fairfax dined at
Mount Vernon
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-10-06
SEEK NEW LINE
T0B0WIE

Permission to acquire LAT miles
of industrial railroad track owned
by the Massaponax Sand and
Gravel Company in Prince
Georges county, Md, has been re-
quested of the Interstate Com
merce Commission by the Penn
sylvania railroad. The acquisi-
ton would provide a shorter route
to the Bowie race track from
Washington and the East.
The railroad explained if the
request was sanctioned the new
routing would provide better serv-
ice and permit operation at a
cost less than the present.
At the same time the company
asked permission to abandon six
miles of rail now running to the
Bowie track by way of Odenton,
which was purchased some years
ago from the old Washington,
Baltimore and Annapolis railroad.
VOTE AMERICAN
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-10-06
P.-T. A. STUDIES
SCHOOL NEEDS

SANDY SPRING, Md, Oct. 6.
-Four subjects Of discussion will be
presented for open discussion
among members of the Parent
Teacher Association of the Sher-
wood School, Sandy Spring, dur
ing a meeting tonight at 7:30
p. m. in the school auditorium.
The question of ways and
means of improving the school
grounds" will be presented to the
association by Ruben Hines, chair
man of that committee. Other
topics for discussion will include
betterment of the present school
library, a study of the activities
of a school cafeteria and its financ-
ing, and methods of obtaining
needed funds to purchase material
and equipment needed to equip
the school gymnasium.
Austin LeMar, principal of the
school, will speak on the policies
of the faculty and school for the
new school season, as guest
speaker for the evening.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-10-06

unlimited mass of songs Of this
country.
Time alone seems to winnow
out the popular songs that live
in the hearts of the people. Ameri-
can composers now creatively &C.
tive, will have passed the period
of active effort if they must wait
for the aging process to place
popular songs that our grand
fathers sang in the classical lists.
With the tremendous turnover
of new songs due to the frequent
repetition on the radio, song writ
erS must write eight to IL songs
a year in order to earn an income
comparable to their revenue in
1920 when two or three song hits
were sufficient. Out of this mass
of songs constantly aSsaulting the
ears of the general public, accord
ing to the law Of averages, there
must be a certain proportion of
songs that will eventually make
the classical list.
When an old song such as THE
Man on the Flying Trapeze" is
busted off from time to time. and
makes a hit for a time with sew
eral succeeding generations, is it
not logical to consider that it is
on the way to becoming a classic?
ClaSsicistS may give most con-
vincing arguments against such a
probability, but the opinion of
succeeding generations cannot be
overlooked. After a certain num-
Der of revivals, this song will
doubtless be used by a classical
composer and the musical high
browS will sit through a perform
ance of the result. There will be
many EXPLANATIONS as to the high
merits Of the piece and the audi.
tors will smile with complacency
at their ability to recognize CLASH
cal music while the rabble prefer
to listen to common popular mu-
sic. Thus history will continue to
repeat itself.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-10-06

} Laid first Joined the 1nterna-
tional Association Of MachinistS
in 1894, not long after it was or
ganized, he disclosed today at the
home he owns, SIS A st. S. E.
In 1914 he was among a group
of pioneers who began agitation
for retirement benefits, but it was
only after six years of battling
that the necessary legislation
passed through Congress.
The original 1920 law, Laid ex-
plains, provided for optional re-
tirement at IS years and a maxi
mum monthly pension of $50.
Since that time, the law has been
llheralized from time to time with
amendments, so that today the
maximum pension, enjoyed by
dozens upon dozens of retired
workers, is 500 a month.
Ladd asserts none of these ad-
vantages could have been gained
by inactive workers. The powers
that-be," he believes, seldom i'm
prove the lot of workmen volun-
tarily. He says:
eff it were not for organized
labor there would be no retire
ment."
Besides his activity in unioniSm,
Laid has played a role in civic
matters here, and is a member of
the Southeast Citizens Association,
the Community Chest a n d the
Red Cross. He has raised two
children and has one grandchild.
His hobby is people" He ex-
plains:
81 love everybody. 1 love to
mix with people. / even like to
visit committee meetings on
Capitol Hill"
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-10-06

| What Is classical music? SO
often is heard this question and
there are many and varied ans
werS. Someone who is not entirely
in sympathy with classical music,
describes it as music in which
melodies start frequently but are
never completed.
DR.. Edward j. Dent, professor
of music at the University of Cam
| bridge, said in recent lecture at
Harvard: Classical music is moth
ing but old-time popular music.
All music, even church music, was
utility music for the particular
moment. There was nothing I'M
dlgnified about this; why shouldn't
a gentleman desire to hear a new
mass, a new symphony or a new
opera every week, just as he
might order a new suit of clothes?
1t is not surprising that some Of
the younger generation, as we'll as
one or two of the older, are in
clined to throw the classics and
all old music overheard and main
tain that no music is worth listen
ing to except that which is hot
from the composers brain"
Following this attitude of ap-
proach, Wayne King, the popular
orchestra leader, while in Wash
ington last spring, refused to diff
ferentiate between popular and
classical music. He claimed that
the present tremendous output of
Socalled popular music is in real
ity classical music.
Most of the best known classical
music has been based upon themes
of songs that were at one time
claSsed as popular music. Just
how long a popular song must be
sung in order to become classical
is hard to determine. Some of the
most popular hits of the radio pro-
grams in recent years have been
songs that were popular years
ago.
Mr.. E. c. Mills, general manager
Of the American Society of Com
poserS, Authors and Publishers,
in a recently published analysis
of radio programs, states: 1.-THE
popular songs of 1884 deprecated
80 per cent in the second year of
their life" while "the older songs
survive this musicide better than
the new hits"
Probably one of the greatest
obstacles to placing popular songs
in the classical category is the fact
that recognized composers of high
artistic standards have not as yet
made much use of popular Ameri-
can songs. Composers will search
arduously to uncover some folk
songs of Europe to use in COM
positions, but neglect the almost