davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The weekly echo., 1940-12-20

only the state but the connection.
will have the turkey, goose. duck,
hen, guenia and rooster ready when you
come Tell the other contestants that
these birds" belong to the Bassfield
Circuit
Your pastor,
Thos. Saunders, Jr.
Pastor of Bassfield Circuit
The weekly echo., 1940-12-20

Dear Elder Young:
Please mark me up 100 percent ON
your program for December % and 27.
We will be at the Council with full
report.
Very truly yours,
M. A. DUR, Good Hope Ct
The weekly echo., 1940-12-20
Final Session OF II. B.
A l,oayds Held

PROPOSE PICKENs FOR SPINGARN
The weekly echo., 1940-12-20
COMMUNICATION FROM
n III " nETTCEPC

COMMUNICATION FROM
c. NJ E. OFFICERS
Reverend r. l. Youns,
Dear Elder:
This is to acknowledge receipt of your
card concerning the big drive Tor Dec
22nd. In reply / wish to say that I am
making every effort possible TO gel
each member in my district to pay his
or her General Fund on that date. Yee
indeed, you can depend on me a i0l
percent.
Yours truly,
Mt Pleasant Circuit
The weekly echo., 1940-12-20
H. B. A. BOARDS CLOSE IN HIGH STYLE
North Zone Meeting Dec. %, 1910

MR.. FRANK HODGES Of the Royal
The weekly echo., 1940-12-20

Continued on page two)
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-05-18
Radio Time Table

Jeanette Macdonald having accepted
Edgar Bergen's invitation to be his guest
Sunday, Charlie Mccarthy has practiced
trills and cadenzas, hoping to persuade the
lovely screen and concert star to sing duet
with him during the broadcast. Although
she has made no promises to him, Miss
Macdonald will, however, sing during the
program from KOMO at 4 o'clock.
Bergen and Mccarthy will be assisted
by Donald Dickson, baritone, and Robert
Ambruster's orchestra, while Ben Alexander
will be heard as Mortimer Snerds grandpa.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-05-18
MONDAY
7 A. NJ.

KMO-Deyotions
KVI-Singing Cowhano.
T:I5. Top OF Morning.
KOMO - Good Morning;
7.I5. Memoranda
.KJR-Popular.
KIRO-G o o q Aorrlns
AelodieA
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-05-18
SUNDAY
4 A. nj.

KMO-Devotions.
KVI-West Coast Church
OF the Air; Rev. Cyrus
Albertson.
KOMO-Story OF Us All.
KJR - Radio City Music
Hall.
KIRo-Church of the Air
$3.50 A. M.
KMO-voice OF Prophecy;
s:45, Bread OF Life.
KVI-Salt Lake Taber-
nacle.
KOMO-On Your Job. =
KJR-Nusic Hall.
KIRO - Swedish Taber-
nscle.
8 A. Nj.
KMO-Songalogue.
KVI-Church OF the Air.
Christian Science.
KOMO Seattle Pacific
College.
KJR-Pilgrimage Of Poet
ny: 9I5. Peoples
Church.
KIRO - Church OF the
Air.
$3.50 A. Nj.
KMO-American Wiidlife
KvI-Democracy In &C
ton.
KOMO-Silver Strings.
KJR-Compass Mission.
kIRO-Democraey.
10 A. nj.
KIN O-Sumner Prindle:
1915. Elias Breeskin.
KVI-Salute 20 Santiago.
KOMO-Salute.
KJR-Trails.
KIRO-Salute.
1880 A. nj.
KMO-Mystery History.
KVI-Lud Glusk ! n;
i0.55. News.
KOMO-Chicago Round
Table.
KJR-Salem Silhouettes-
kIRO-Music for sun
day.
IL A. NJ.
KMO - In de pc n cent
Bible Church.
KVI-Symphony.
KOMO-Paul Carson.
KJR-John Seagle. l.i5,
Foreign Policy.
KIR O-Plymouth Con-
greEational Church.
1880 A. NJ.
KMO- Inc epen d G nj
Bible Church.
Henderson daily dispatch., 1940-05-17
BY Y. JOYNES MacFAHLAN

Raleigh, May l7.-(APJ-t'orty
years OF honest" Democratic gov
ernmcnt in North Carolina ana the
courage OF President Roosevelt to
take unprecedented measures to
stem the fury of the deposition
drew un$tinrcu praise today IRON
d. Hidcn Ramsey OF AsheVille, key
noter at the State Democratic con-
vention.
Ramsey is general manager Of the
ASheVillc CitlZen-TmeS newspapers
and Il veteran Democrat. The con-
vention had a record delegate
strength of 1915.
The State and nation are on a
SoUnder basis. and are richer, Ramsey
said, because OF changes brought
about by the President and the
states Democratic governor. He
especially lauded Governor HOey
and said the governor had loved
this state into Il unity Of spirit and
purpose which it has never known
before"
The key-noter recIted in some de-
tail the accomplishments in the
United States and tn Old North
State under Democratic administra-
tons, then warned that the party and
its leaders must not surrender to
"a spirit of SNUG dissatisfaction"
Not only at home, but abroad. the
problems and opportunities challenge
Henderson daily dispatch., 1940-05-17
GernansClaim
Brussels Is
Not "Open"

Berlin, May 17.-(AP)-AleXand-
er Kirk, United States charge dc af-
fairs, was summoned to the foreign
office yesterday and informed why
Germany no longer regards Brussels
as an open town. 1t was left to the
American governments discretion
whether to pass the information on
to the Belgian government.
1t was understood the Belgian
capitals immunity to German bomb
ing attacks expires today unless the
city is stripped Of its character as
a fortified town to the satisfaction OF
the German high command.
German scouting planes, Kirk was
told, established the fact that there
were large army concentrations
within the Capital, that railway sta
tions were damned with war ma
terials, and that cannons were
mounted in parks and public places.
Henderson daily dispatch., 1940-05-17
1. 5. May Finance Plants For
Producing Defense Materials
Ramsey Lauds Record OF Democratic
Rule In State; Praises Administration

1.-The very best that the Democratic
party has to offer in vision and
leadership" he said, and pleaded for
the Democrats to stand united.
These are dangerous and an
guished times" Ramsey warned, as
he briefly touched on the foreign
situation. In Europe, the great de-
mocracieS are in death grapple with
evil forces that seek to Subjugate
them. Over there decent civilization
trembles in the balance and people OF
good will are threatened with all OF
the barbariSm Of a mechanlzed
medaevilism.
The actual fighting may be con-
fined to that continent but no one
can safely place metes and bounds to
the territorial cupidity and the foul
and filthy ambitions of the German
ruler. Certainly the repercussions Of
that conflict are already spreading
into every crevass of the world. No
one knows what the morrow will
bring to this nation in shock and IN
peril.
This is no time tor division with
in the Democratic party. We must
close our ranks and eXalt the well
fare and security Of the republic and
of the State above every consldera-
ton of factionalism."
Only briefly did Ramsey refer TO
the Republican party: "The foe VINO
was once able to give battle on VIZ
Henderson daily dispatch., 1940-05-17
FDR Opposes
Public Works
In Relief Fund

Washington, May 17-(AP)-Prcs-
ident Roosevelt voiced opposition to-
day to dcvoting part Of the pending
relief appropriation TO public works.
That, he SAID, would cut down on the
number Of jobs available to needy
individuals.
In the House, where the measure is
up for debate, Representative Wood
rum, Democrat, Virginia, advocated
that half Of the money be allotted for
public works.
Such undertakings, the President
said at his press conference, require
much larger expenditure on ma
terialS which come from mines, for
ests, steel mills, and cement plants.
Automatically, he said, that decrcas-
cd the number Of relief cases which
can be cared from the available
funds.
The President said his new de-
Tense program would Of course pro-
vide considerable employment, but
it would by no means take care Of
the people on relief.
He said the 1915, 100000 relief bill
must go through Congress rapidly
because existing funds are expected
10 run out July l.
Henderson daily dispatch., 1940-05-17

The British army is holding It's pO-
sitionS after two days Of open war
fare with German shock battaiiOns
and is waiting to see which way the
German power concentrated in the
Sedan area, some 80 miles airline t.
the south, will strike.
The Germans there arc poised to
strike either to the north toward the
defense before Brussels or TO the
south into France.
They may try 10 roll up to the
British lines in Il northWard thrust
from the Sedan area, but il was
pointed out such Il movement would
leave them open TO vigorous counter
attacks by the French field army
from the south.
The Germans have attacked
heavily in the LuuVain area and have
sent bpmbcrS far behind the lines
in an attempt to bomb infantry and
cut communications
The latter movement met with
small success. But three days Of
bombingS in Belgium and France
Henderson daily dispatch., 1940-05-17
North Cardinals 26
Votes in Democratic
National Convention
To Be Cast For Third
Term; Delegates Are
Named.

Raleigh, May l7.-(AP)-With a
mighty shout the North Carolina
Democratic state convention instruct
ed today that its 26 votes in the ma
tional convention be cast for third
term for President Roosevelt ''if and
when his name is presented"
The delegation would be bound to
the President until he is nominated
or until his name is Withdrawn
from the balloting."
The convention adopted a platform
pledging the party to reapportion-
ment of the legislature on the basis
Of the 1910 census.
The platform also states that we
indorse the principle of collective
bargaining and equal justice to labor
and capital; pledges the party Ito
the continuation of the policy of nom
diversion" of highway funds; as
serts that the first objective of the
party in highway matters is to i'm
prove secondary roads so that they
will be passabe the year round; ana
recommends a retirement plan Tor
teachers.
Henderson daily dispatch., 1940-05-17
nanRadioSays
Vazis In Brussels
British Say Situation Is
Improved, Though Serious

17-(AP-An authoritative said today that
military the allies though
regarded We'd
allied council yesterday
having beneficial effect"
is OF t0days position
on is serious
is complete confidence"
3-Repos fighting make clear that the Royal Air
decsvey superior
the enemy"
Henderson daily dispatch., 1940-05-17
Daily Dispatch Bureau.
In the Sir Walter Hotel

Raleigh, May 16.-There is hardly
a chance that even an unwr noen
..gentleman's agreement" has been
made between headquarters of Lieu
tenant Governor wilkins P. Horton
and Commissioner of Revenue Alien
J. Maxwell, but there IS a very pre-
valent belief that if these TWO CAL
didates should finish one-tWo III tlle
FIRST Governors primary there
wouldn't be any second heat. ;,
Politics being what it is, this can
no proved if it is so, and it will no
doubt be vigorously denied If mem
toned to henchmen of either; but II
is being widely accepted as gospel
truth.
Those who feel this way can ao-
vance very logical reasons-reaSohS
which have convinced them Il thev
viii con. ince nobody else.
Henderson daily dispatch., 1940-05-17

tually equal terms has been reduced
to a poWerlcSS minority. The Rcpub-
lican party has fallen to such low
estate in North Carolina that it has
lost its capacity to irritate, not to
mention its power TO command re-
spect. 1t arouscs in the compassionate
Democrat more or sorrow than of
anger"
The 40 years of Democratic rule
in the state, Ramsey said, have been
years Of prodicious progress for
North Carolina and of notable
achievement for the Democratic
party. They have seen North Caro-
lima win her rank as one Of the i'm
pcrial commemorative of the nation"
He praised Governors Aycock, Craig,
Beckett, Morrison, Mclean, Gardner
and Ehringhaus by name, and also
paid tribute to Senator F. M. Sim
mons, who died recently.
Let this be said to the eteranl and
unquestioned credit of the Demo-
cratic party in North Carolina -
Ramsey asserted. "In lean years and
IN fat years, in times Of undi3puted
power and in times of alert and DOW
ertul opposition, it has always given
to the people Of this state honest ad-
mlniStratlon Of thei affairs.
mo North CaroIinian in the last
TWO score years has been forced to
(Cnntin1,nI a., DE- IL
Henderson daily dispatch., 1940-05-17
By ROGER w. BABSON,
Copyright 1910, Publishers Financis
Bureau, Inc.

Worchester. Mass, May 17.-More
and more people are coming to the
belief that the solution Of world
economic troubles does not lie in
communism, fascism, or state CAPT.
talism. Rather, they believe it lies
in 100 per cent cooperative system.
am now attending a large church
convention where this thought is
being discussed. Cooperatists envi-
sion the entire world developed into
cooperative groups for buying, job
seeking. health, insurance, etc. For
cooperatives to succeed, however,
their leaders must be inspired by a
religious fervor--not merely by a
desire to save little money.
Consumer cooperatlVes have no5
Henderson daily dispatch., 1940-05-17
State Delegation Is
Instructed For FDR
Belgian Army Is
Intact And Its
Morale Is High

Paris, May 17.-(AP)-The Bel
gian army remains intact and its
morale is high" although it and its
allies moved to a new positions" de-
clared Belgian war communique
issued at noon today in Brussels, ac-
cording to d French news agency.
The communique said:
I'm relation to the operations by
the allied forces and in close CO.
operation with those forces, the Bel
gian forces have moved to new po-
sitions calmly and in good order.
despite the numerous and diff
ficult combats which many units
have had to engage in since the start
of hostilitieS our army remains in
tact and its morale is high"
Henderson daily dispatch., 1940-05-17
Support OF
license Plan
Is Evidenced
President Tells Press
Conference Govern
mes1t is Considering
Ke-coinnissioning All
Remaining w orl d
Var Destroyers.

..-.n. Nay lI.-(Ap) -
....... EN.cE"Ir disclosed today
... . -....uwcut was considering
-..H@ all remaining world
.. .g-->-}5 OF them-Which
... .- ... /. service.
IL. ..-> conference he said also
g.. ... Ms being given to the
.. ..-'.... .. government financing
..-'- ..r expended production
. ..'...g materials, perhaps with
e.. ...'- privately operated but
-.-..... owned.
, -.. ..~e before the President
..... Congress was asked by the
w.. department % remove the exist
IT, r... ..a-e limit on the Army'S
ST.. ..-a ,1 that the military may
-. -..'.y toward the goal of So
ST.. .-Ht.u machines set up by
2.-Ggr. Roosevelt in his defense
.-~-.-c - Congress yesterday.
Saga.. tor the program he out
-... ..r..nued to be evidenced in
.- o.avterS today. In New
E.-. 5.-..cr President Hoover said
,.. -- favored it and added that
- gar be no partiSanShip upon
..- ..ucD,e OF national defense.
p. Sa...ou 70 all the other defense
.--~ which the government IS
g.. ..a-..u-. NJ. Roosevelt disclosed
G.. his press conference that atten-
e.. , .c.ug given to the advisable
..- r:.t,s,,o ~ tho irotariOr Of
e.. ......v factories vital 70 de-
-... applies primarily to new
.r.ra- nj existing plants. he said,
'.-. ,..u 70 picking up those
..,- ..w operating and moving
.. ..- the SeabOardS.
-.. President discussed at length
~.. .e expected to do with the
S."uHuuUo which he asked Con-
..... e.. place at his disposal for de-
.a.-a operations and the additional
>..u..u.D in contract authorlza-
~.. might come up during the
uaen he would not want 70
. Congress back, he explained
.. r...d DC taken care of II ne
. -.-a0 the funds.
-~.. ...-rv'S request for removal OF
.. piano limitation was presented
e.. '.. House military committee by
.. aun General l.. D. GaSser'
r p. -.l"; OF staff. ,
,.. testified al the hearing Starteo
.rr,,.oh tho 1882 .000, OOO
Henderson daily dispatch., 1940-05-17
.ShouldHorton And Maxwell
Be High Men, HereU Be
No Run Off, AveriH Declares

Or all these reasons, the only real
" vital one can be reduced to five
letter word meaning gold, silver or
other metal stamped by legal au-
thority and used as currency.
Which is to say that the second
man in a Horwell-MaXton primary
Ito mix them up so as to show no
partiality) would find himself alb
solutely unable to finance a second
race.
This is true, it's said, because the
groups which are giving financial
aid and comfort to Maxwell and to
Horton are doing so more out of
fear of J. M. Broughton than be-
cause of any marked preference be-
tween the commissioner and the lieu
tenant governor.
That being true, there would be no
point in putting up money for a sec
(Tnntnued on PAGE SeVen,l
Henderson daily dispatch., 1940-05-17
Babson Cites Growth OF
Spirit Of Cooperation

made as much Roadway in the United
States as in Great Britain, although
they have grown steadily. The chain
stores have done for us much what
the consumer cooperatives have done
for Great Britain. As handicaps in
the paths of chain stores are built
up, however, there may be greater
need for consumer cooperatives.
Low farm prices will fertilize the
ground for more marketing cooper
tIves in rural areas Recently the CO.
operative spirit has been given a
tremendous boost by the Blue Cross
Hospital plan and may be due for
another big victory in the White
Cross Doctor program.
Forty Plus Clubs
But the real triumph of the CO.
(CCntinled on Page Seyen)
Henderson daily dispatch., 1940-05-17

convention. Each district has a to-
tai of two votes in the convention.
Delegates by districts included:
First-E. G.. Flanagan, Pitt, and
w. &. Rodman, Beaufort.
Second-R. L. Corbett, Edgecombe,
J. G. Eagles, Wilson; also, if they
can be seated, John H. Kerr, Sr.,
Warren, A. F. Williams, Wilson.
Third-Graham A. Barden, Crav-
en-, d. l.. Ward, Craven, Dr.. c. c.
Henderson, Wayne, John Groom,
Duplin.
Fourth-J. r. Poole, Johnston,
alternate Mrs. B. A. Scott, Vance.
Continued on Page Eighty
Henderson daily dispatch., 1940-05-17
Allies Admit
ReversesB But
Deny Rout
Hitler's Arm ore d
Units Drive 80 Miles
Into France, B u t
French Claim Pocket
Is Being Surrounded
and Situation Is "ln
Hand.

Berlin, May 1T.-(AP-Gcr-
man troops tonight were reported
deep in northern Francc"--Onc
source said without confirmation
they were within 76 miles Of
PariS-in 4 continued drive from
a broad opening forced between
Maubcugc and MOntmedy.
Events in the next few days
will show what il meant to force
this opening" an authorized
source said as ii limited the Ger
man campaign now is aimed at
France in general and Paris in
particular.
Henderson daily dispatch., 1940-05-17
GERMAN BOMBERS
SINK DESTROYER

Berlin. May 17.-(AP)-The Ger
man high command reported today
an allied destroyer had been sunk
at Dunkirk, and two other vessels
hit by bombs off that port in a series
of raids by the German air force.
Henderson daily dispatch., 1940-05-17
!. S. Citizens
Advised To
Leave Britain

..."... May 17.-(AP)-The
..."H States embassy, on inStruc-
.. . Washington, today ad-
... ar;can citizens in Great
a". -D roturn home if possible.
BIZ. ...'.d States is sending Amerl-
.. ~ meet them on the west
leland.
= t-.oricans called at the
.pday seeking advice and
letting out of Britain and
usage for home. ,.,,
... ..aa>sv estimates there still
800 Americans in the
"nedom. more than halt
he -,-... Ill u. London area.
Henderson daily dispatch., 1940-05-17
Earlier Dispatch By
Associated Press Cor
respondent at Front
Says British Forces
Have Stemmed Nazi
Attacks.
Ry DREW MIDDLETON.

With the British EXpeditionary
Force on the Frcnch-Belgian Front,
May 17.-(AP)--British forces have
stemmed nazi attacks in the LOuVain
area and the road to Brussels, 10
miles west Of Louvain, still remains
in allied hands.
Henderson daily dispatch., 1940-05-17
ORDERS.

Paris, May 17.-(AP)-Gen-
eraI Maurice GuStave Gamclln,
the allied commander in chief,
tonight ordered his troops to die
on the spot" rather than cedc
further ground to the German
invaders.
Henderson daily dispatch., 1940-05-17
Belgian CAPITAL
NOW is AT OSIEND

London. May 17.-(AP)-Ihe
Belgian government is now at
U,trud. on Beleium'S north sea-
coast. having moved there yes
trrday. Reuters British news
a-'Irtr reported today In all
D>lrud dispatch.
Henderson daily dispatch., 1940-05-17

Berlin, May 17.-(AP)-Ger-
man troops marched into BruS-
sells, the Belgian capital, toward
evening today after British and
French positions south of Lou
vain had collapsed, the Berlin
radio announced.
Henderson daily dispatch., 1940-05-17

Berlin, May l7.-tAP)-Thc allies
Sedan and German forces have
pierced the Maginot line in way
which even German OptlmiStS had
believed impossible, authorized Ger
mans claimed today.
These sources asserted the allied
forces were unnerVcd by Gcrmany'S
aWe-inSpiring dive bombcrs and were
in hopeless confusion"
For Belgium. they said, there is
only one sensible choice--capitula-
ton before Brussels is laid in ruins
and the remaining Liegc fortress an
initiated.
The army said in its regular COM
muniquc that the Maginot line (ac-
tually the little Maginot line" in that
rcgion) "Was broken through on a
width Of 100 kilomctcrS (G2 miles,"
around Sedan.
1t reported that in Belgium the
Dylc river defense system was
pierced south Of Warve, 20 miles
southeast OF Brussels, and on the
Namur front 1.-The fortress was
taken"
Un London, British said that the
allies had fallen back from some po-
sitiOnS in the Antwerp TO Sedan line,
but that the situation was not COM
pctely clear due TO the heat of bat
tic. They said rubbish" to German
contentious that Belgium virtually is
"finished.D
Germany's thrust into northern
France has been against the So-callcd
little Maginot line fronting on Bel
GUM; rather than on the main
Maginot line. Both Of them, even rs
is Gcrmany'S west WALL arc deep
systems OF notifications rather than
mere lines so that they may be
pierced without being broken.
Paris. May 17.-HiitIcrS swift
armOrcd units have driven 80 miles
into France To battlefield about
100 miles northeast Of Paris but
French military spokesman said the
situation is still finland"
Three great battles are raging
one in the German bulge toward
Paris in the RcthcJ region southwest
of Sedan; another south Of Sedan;
and the third in Belgium where the
Germans are thruStin2 toward BruS-
sells with LOuVain, IL mics cast of
the Belgian capital, the main scene
Of conflict.
The French high command admit
Continued on Page Scven)
Henderson daily dispatch., 1940-05-17
Allies Fall
Back In West
Military Situation De-
scribed to British Pub
lie as Extremely
Grave"

London. May 17.--(APD-AIlicd
troops wore reported tonight 10 have
fallen back along the 1i5-miIe front
from Antwerp TO Sedan and the Bri-
tieh public was warned that the mill
tary situation is 'cXtrcmcly grave"
A military spokesman said allied
troops still were covering Brussels,
lG miles cast of which the British
Henderson daily dispatch., 1940-05-17

NAIIS AT ANTWERP
Berlin. May l7.-(AP-her-
mm forces reached the outer
faniii"atinnS of Antwerp, DNb'
official German news agency
announced tonight.
Henderson daily dispatch., 1940-05-17
GNQahQh

FOR NORTH CAROLINA.
Generally fair tonight and Sat-
urday, except some clOudiness
in mountains Saturday: slightly
cooler, north coast tonight.
Henderson daily dispatch., 1940-05-17
VANCE COUNTY DEMOCRATS
NAMED TO COMMITTEE POSTS

Raleigh, May 17.-(AP)-Deno,,
cratic district meetings today named
delegates to the Democratic national
Henderson daily dispatch., 1940-05-17

Continued on Page Eighth
Henderson daily dispatch., 1940-05-17

Continued on Page Eight
Henderson daily dispatch., 1940-05-17

(Ccntnued on Page Seven.t
Henderson daily dispatch., 1940-05-17

Continued on Page Seven.)
Henderson daily dispatch., 1940-05-17

Continued on Page Scvcn)
Henderson daily dispatch., 1940-05-17

,Continued on Page SevenI
Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1940-12-12

present also comes in the form
of reduced holiday fares which
are even lower than those of last
year. These are as low as 112c
a mile round trip in coaches and
21a per mile in Pulmans. Coach
tickets are on sale now with CO.
day return limit. Tickets in Pull
mans go on sale Dec. 20 to Jan.
/ with return limit to Jan. 5.
Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1940-12-12
Christmas Gifts

Romans exchanged gifts during
gay celebrations. But giving of pres
ents of course goes back much ear
lier. The Romans, however, gave it
clearer identity as part of their
festival program. Christmas boxes
and cards of today have a link to
the ancient Roman festivities. In
France, gifts are distributed to chill
dren New Years eve instead of
Christmas. In England, Germany,
Italy, and most everywhere else, the
custom is like in the United States.
Santa comes a-visiting at Christmas.