davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1947-05-23
Sister N. Leonine, 81, Dies
at Holy Cross Academy

Sister M. Leonine, 81. a member Of
the Congregation of the Holy Cross
Order for the last so years, died yes
terday at Holy Cross Academy after
an illness of three weeks.
A native of Leonardtown, Nd.
Sister Leonine entered the order IN
1887. After training at the MOTHER
house Of the congregation in Indi-
ana, she taught school at Catholic
missions in Austin, Tex, Anderson.
Ind, and Ogden. Utah. For the last
SO years she had been at Holy Gross
Academy.
Surviving is sister, Mrs. Minnie
Clements, 507 M street NE.
Requiem high mass will be sung
at 10 am. tomorrow at the Dunn
barton College Chapel, with the Very
Rev. James M. Campbell, chaplain
of the college, officiating. Burial
will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery.
Evening star., 1947-05-23
Mrs. John Brasser Dies;
Resident Here 80 Years

Mrs. Nina Brasser, 81, a resident
of washington for 80 years, died
yesterday at her home, 1921 Forty
eighth street NV. after an illness
of several months.
Born in Chur, Switzerland, Mrs.
Brasser came to this country 80
years ago, making her home IN
washington. She was the wife OF
John Brasser, a carpenter here.
Mrs. Brasser was an officer in the
Swiss Benevolent Society and .
member of the Swiss Club Of WASH
ington. She is survived by daugh-
ter, Mrs. Nina Canova Kelsey OF
washington, and two sons. Giosue
Canova, Rockville, Md, and Carl
Canova, Zurich, Switzerland.
Funeral services will be held at
2 pm. Saturday in the Chevy Chase
Funeral Home, 5103 Wisconsin ave-
nue. NV. Swami Premananda OF
the Self Realization Fellowship
Church will conduct the service.
Burial will be in Fort Lincoln
Cemetery.
Evening star., 1947-05-23
Draths

WILLIS. JOSEPH WALTER. On We'd
nesday, May II, 1947. at Gallinger Hos
pital, JOSEPH WALTER WILLIS. beloved
son of the late Eugene and Mary Jane
Willis and beloved husband of Aleise Willis.
He also is survived by two sisters, Ruth
Butler and Rosetta Douglas; one brother.
James willis; one son. Harry Willis: one
niece, Mary F. Douglas; three nephews,
and a devoted father and mother in law.
Remains may be viewed after 4 pm. Sat-
urday, May "A, at the. Morris A. Carter
Funeral Home. End and F SITS. s.w., until
Sunday, May 20, at IL am; thereafter at
142 M st. s.e Funeral Monday. May 20.
at am, from st. Vincent De Paul's
Church. South Capitol and NJ SITS. Sc. In
terment Arlington National Cemetery.
Evening star., 1947-05-23
Rites for Samuel Schrier
Planned Today in New York

Funeral services will be held today
in New York for. Samuel Schrier,
Mount Rainier Md grocer, who
died unexpectedly Wednesday in the
office of DR.. j. S. Sugar, 1901 ! street
NV.
Mr.. Schrier was born in Russia
and came to this country in 1912.
He operated a grocery business in
New York for many years before
moving to Mount Rainier In 1912.
His store there was located at ala
Twenty-ninth street.
While in New York Mr.. Schrier
was a member of the Workmen's S
Circle and the Yarmolinitzer Benev-
olent Society.
He is survived by his widow Yetta
Schrier of the Mount Rainier ad-
dress, and four sons, Arnold Schrier,
Northwestern University; Edward
Schrier, University of Maryland,
and Morton and Eugene Schrier,
both of Mount Rainier; three
brothers, Jack Schrier, College Park,
Md; Abe Schrier, Los Angeles, and
Arnold Schrier of New York, and
three sisters, Mrs. Max Liss, Mrs.
Abe Gradus and Miss Shirley
Schrier. all of New York.
Evening star., 1947-05-23
Unified Check Urged
10 CurfaiI Double
Payment 10 Veterans

G.. Al. Wharton, director OF the
District Unemployment Compensa-
ton Board, today urged a more un-
ified check on payment of unem-
ployment and subsistence allowances
to veterans in order to stop ex-GIs
who fraudulently are collecting both
benefits.
Mr.. Wharton said more than $16,-
600 has been recovered in the last
few weeks from Washington veter-
ans who have drawn jobless pay
checks while getting Federal aid for
going to school under the CT bill.
He said the money involved I'll
overpayments, discovered in routine
checks by his Office of the 5000 Dis
trict veterans who get unemploy-
ment pay each week. Those who re-
fuse to repay part of the the double
collection will be reported to the
Veterans Administration. That
agency will decide whether the Of
tenders should be prosecuted.
Three Convicted Here.
Three veterans here already have
been convicted of fraud in connec-
ton with the double payments, he
said, and IA other cases are pending.
Mr.. Wharton explained that his
Office pays the jobless checks each
week, while subsistence checks are
paid monthly by the Veterans Ad-
ministration.
1.-THE only check we now have on
who has drawn subsistence pay
are the Veterans Administrators
monthly pay lists. We often get
them after we have made several
weekly payments" Mr.. Wharton ex-
planned.
Proposal Rejected.
To remedy this, Mr.. Wharton has
suggested both payments be made
from single roster, but the pro-
posal was turned down by Veterans
Administration.
Meanwhile, Veterans Administra-
ton officials made rough esti-
mate" that 100000 veterans through
out the country have drawn both
benefits, either fraudulently or
through error. They admitted, how
ever, that they have no accurate
report.
Evening star., 1947-05-23
Sister Cora Margaret
Rites Held in Boston
|Ai Episcopal Convent

Funeral services for Sister Cora
Margaret, 88, of st. Margaret's Epis-
copal Convent, Boston, we're held
there this morning. She died We'd
nesday at the convent after an i'll
ness of three weeks.
For several years before and after
World War I she was superintendent
gof St. johns Orphsnage here and
formerly had served IS head OF the
Episcopal Children's Home.
A native of New York, she was
brought to Washington while a child
| by her parents, the late Mr.. and Mrs.
T. j. w. Robertson. Mr.. Robertson
was a patent attorney here.
Sister Cora Margaret was edu-
Gated in District schools and sgrad-
luated from the Washington Normal
| School in 1877. She taught here for
several years and served as principal
of the old Morse School before join
ing the convent.
She became member OF the
Episcopalian order in 1887 and after
serving. as a teacher and superin-
tendent of schools in Jersey City,
Philad adelphia, Washington and Bos-
ton was sent as a missionary to
Haiti. She taught school there
until six years ago, when she re-
turned to the convent.
While living in Washington she
taught Sunday school class at the
Church of the Incarnation for many
years and was a charter member of
the Woman's Auxiliary of the
Washington Episcopal Diocese.
Surviving are a brother, Thomas
E. Robertson, 116 Shepherd street,
Chevy Chase, commissioner of pat
ents from 1921 to 1888, and two sis
ters, Mrs Ella R. Burdett, 6902 Piney
Branch road, Takoma Park, and
Mrs. Grace r. Bowen, 4356 Lee
| highway, Cherrydale, Va.
Evening star., 1947-05-23
Salaries Up 80 Pct. n Colleges,
81 in Industry, Survey Shows

year and the highest paiu prof.
average S.. 400.
The survey also revealed that
raises have been smaller In private
|nonprofit schools than In public
colleges.
The complete report. which will
be turned over to President Tru-
man, was made for the commission
by the United States Onlce Of Edu-
cation. the American Association OF
University Professors and a survey
project conducted by the American
Council on Education, the American
Council Of Learned Societies, Ma
tional Research Council and the
Social Science Research Council.
Francis J. Brown. executive secre-
tary of the council, said the study
is the first of a series OF reports
under way by the commission
Others, he said, will be on aims Of
higher education, equalizing educa-
tional opportunity without regard
to race, creed or economic status;
financing higher education, and or
ganization of higher education.
Evening star., 1947-05-23
John H. Burke Dies at 81;
EmpIoye Of Post Office

John H. Burke, 81, an employe of
the City Post Office for the last Is
years, died unexpectedly today at
his home, 1920 Webster street NE.
A native of Pittston, Pa, he came
to Washington in 1911. He was a
member of st. Anthony's Catholic
Church and belonged to the Holy
Name Society.
Surviving are sister, Miss Mary
Burke of the Webster street address,
and three brothers, Joseph Burke,
4709 Twelfth street NE; James
Burke, Riva, Md, and William
Burke of the Webster street address.
Requiem mass will be offered at
10 am. Monday at st. Anthony S
Church, with the Rev. John J. Bailey
assistant pastor of the church, Off
ciating. Burial will be in Cedar
Hill Cemetery.
Evening star., 1947-05-23
In Mrtt1uriatt1

coNLay HARRY i II loving c6SnRY
who passed away April 2o' 1876.
You belong to my heart,
It's been long, long time,
I'd climb the highest mountain.
There's no one but you,
So let each nights Gream be over me, as
I am waiting.
HARRY R. HUBBARD.
DREW. HARRIET. In loving memory
of my dear mother HARRIET Drew. 5 ,n, Who
entered into rest eternal May 23, 1876.
Her angel presence hovers near. ever
pathways of life. HARRIET E. KING.
FENWIcK, JAMES; ,s IN leying gvsTMIS'E memory
of my dear husband. JAMES sn FEnWiMGk, Mas
23. 1945.
Farewell in hope and love.
In faith and peace peace and o,rs prayer above
HIS HIS LOVING o ING WIFE. vi MATILDA.
GREGORY, JOSEPH P. Sacred to the
memory Of my dear husband. JOSEPH Z.
GREGORY, who passed on May 20 1884
A little road to yesterday
Winds forever through my heart.
Its memories, dear and precious,
Are q HIS 81 LoVINa e11f { paTha Wife, JULIA.
LEE. THOMAS E. In loving remem-
brance of our beloved father, TIL oMAs E,
LEE, who entered into eternal rest seven
years ago today, May 23, lo4o.
There is a sad but sweet remembrance,
There is token of affection, dear father,
And a heaTtaehe stu Ior yon
Hls aAdRicE tRHlEe s aap a1PEHs PuRMAN EA ZEE AND
VIVIAN L. LIGHTFOOT.
LEE, THOMAS E. A tribute of love to-
the memory Of our GEAR son and th,s 5retheT
se1en ssars asa aek toda Nay S. 1915 me
Our hearts cannot tell how we miss you,
Our lips do not know what to say;
God only knows our feelings
HaR Mhsh hss MMIs anesf Lev Saf BRuEAH sRfs e
CAS-. LAWRENCE A. LEE.
LICARIoNE, MARGARET. In memory
q sE5 n9shs sna Sa passea AWAY Six
yssri yoUa ssG canDRkN IfasE AM AND aRANaD5cHDREN
LONG, KATHERINE MARY. In loving
memory Of our. dear daughter and sister,
KITTY WHO departed tbs life four years
mass mae '9aas at St. ma Matthew's @ Scsi csthedrai
Today recalls the memory
OF loved one gone to rest,
And those who. think Of you today
Are those who loved you best.
We miss you now, our hearts are sore.
As time goes by we miss you more;
Your loving smile. your gentle lace
No one can I'LL your vacant place
Eternal rest grant to her. o Lord, and
THE FAMILY.
PRENTISS, VIRGINIA. In memory OF
my dear. loving mother, VIRGINIA PREM
TISS who departed this life nineteen years
ago today. May %, 1928.
Loves ,edeemins work is done,
Fought the fight. the battle won
And may the music Of thy name
Refresh my soul in death.
HER SON. CHARLES PREETISS, AND
GRANDCHILDREN.
WEBSTER, EDMONIA. tribute to our
dear mother EDMONIA WEBSTER. who
passed away eleven years ago today. May
%. 1896.
In our hearts your memory fingers.
SWeetly. tenderly and true;
THERE Is not q day that passes
That we do not think Of you.
her CHILDREN.
Evening star., 1947-05-23
AMG Fires Guards Hired
To Spy on German Captives
BY the Associoted Press

MUNICH, Germany, May 49,
One hundred special German guards
who had been spying on German
prisoners in five internee camps to
prevent escapes were fired yesterday
by order of the American military
government.
Brig. Gen. Walter ]. Muller said
they were a secret police" force
set up without American approval.
German Minister Alfred Loritz
carried out Gen. Muller's order
abolishing the force. He praised
the members, however, for fighting
against corruption" among German
guards in internee camps.
The American military govern
ment ordered Loritz to do something
about the high number of escapes
this spring, and the 'Kontroll-
dienst," as the special force was
known, then was instituted.
Evening star., 1947-05-23
Miss Mary S. Nixon, 76.
Lecturer on Art, Dies
Rx the As,oeioted Prem

CHICAGO, May 23.-Miss Mary
Sites Nixon, rs, a con-founder of
the Florentine School for Girls in
Florence, Italy, and a lecturer on
Italian art, died yesterday IN sub
urban Kenilworth.
An 1892 graduate of Smith College.
Miss Nixon was the daughter OF
William Penn Nixon, editor of the
old Chicago Inter-Ocean. She was
born in Cincinnati
Evening star., 1947-05-23
Bs5, left the RIG 'holding the

1855, LETT the RIG holding the
bag"
Mr.. Snodgrass also testified that
there was not d thing. unusual
III the fact that he drafted q letter
which the RFC sent to the B. q o.
outlining the agency's terms for
extending the loan.
Senator Tobey had asked whether
it would not have been s.the natural
thing for Jesse Jones, then RFC
chairman, or one of his assistants to
have. written the letter in the first
place. The Senator called it cir
cumnayigation and indirection.
y The letter was the basis on which
B. 81 o. asked the Federal Court to
approve its reorganization petition.
Evening star., 1947-05-23
B. & 0. President His
Al Young 5 Charges
As UnWarranied
By Ii. Assoeiossd Press

i Roy B. White. president OF the
Baltimore g. Ohio Railroad, ac-
.cused another railroad president
today of making false and "m-
warranted" statements concerning
the reorganization Of the B. g. O.
Testifying before Senate Bank
ing Subcommittee, Mr.. White said
he does not consider Robert r.
Young, president Of the chesa-
peake g. Ohio, competent to ex-
press public judgment on either the
facts or the honesty OF Baltimore
& Ohio affairs"
Mr.. Young recently told the Sem
ators that the B.. q O. could have
paid of an $50, 900 900 debt to the
Reconstruction Finance Corp. in
1914 instead of reorganizing and
deferring the payment until 1865.
The Banking Committee IS look
ing into the loan prior to voting
whether to extend the life OF the
Government lending agency past
June 80.
Denies Line Is Bankrupt.
Criticizing Mr.. Youngs testimony
line by line, Mr.. White took issue
with the c. g. o. presidents declara-
ton that the B. & o. was declared
bankrupt" under alleged pressure OF
the RFC loan.
"The simple truth and fact is that
the B. 81 O. has never been declared
a bankrupt and its adjustment plan
under the Mclaughlin Act is not a
proceeding in bankruptcy" Mr..
White testified.
Contrary to Mr.. Young's unwar-
ranted statement that all our cred.
itors have been 'reorganized out
not single creditor or stockholder
has suffered any dimunition in his
claim or financial interest In the
company or have they suffered the
loss of one cent in interest"
Mr.. White also asserted that Mr.
Young's statement that he (White)
was put in" the Office of president
by the RFC is utterly and COM
pletely false
He charged Mr.. Young with
deliberate untruth" for implying,
if not stating" that B. az Q. and
RFC officials made "misstatemerlts
under OATH" to mislead the Federal
court which passed on the reor-
ganization plan.
REORGANIZATION Called Sound
Earlier, James M. Nicely, vice pres
ident of the Guaranty Trust Co. OF
New York and a former director OF
the Chesapeake g. Ohio. told the
committee he thought the B. g. o.
reorganization plan is sound" and
.'met the situation in fine con-
structive way"
"I believe the RFC is materially
better of today than it was IN
1914 when the B. 81 o. had some
s218, ,OOo, 900 of bonds coming due
in 1948-51 and the RFC loan was
secured principally by second mort
gage bonds coming due in 1885,
200O," he said.
Russell L. Snodgrass, financial
vice president of the B. & O., told
the subcommittee late yesterday
that the RFC made q good deal
when it agreed to accept B. & O.
bonds in lieu of notes totaling $780,
100000 which it now holds. Mr..
Snodgrass said the bonds "are sale
able and marketable at a
price that would show a profit"
Snodgrass Defends Letter.
Chairman Tobey previously as
serted that the acceptance Of the
bonds, in effect deferring payment
of the railroads debt from 1914 to
Evening star., 1947-05-23
0tarn nf Thanka

SMITH, HAROLD b. We are grateful
and thank all who By their kindnesses
dear and sorely missed husband and father,
HAROLD r. SMITH, 20 rest on SATURDAY..
MRs. Mas III MARIAN III N. SMITH AND DAUdH-
Evening star., 1947-05-23
BruziI's Cune Crop Rises

RIO DE JANEIRO-t - The
Brazilian production of sugar cane
is increasing, with q total output OF
28, 800 1886 tons in 1916 against 25,-
178, ,5S4 recorded In the previous
wear
Evening star., 1947-05-23
Synthetic Rubber Preferred

Butyl synthetic rubber, which does
not have the bounce of natural rub
ber at normal temperatures, makes
better inner tube because 1t holds
air better.
Evening star., 1947-05-23
HAWKINS, CAPT. EDWARD L., U. S

HAWKINS, CAPT. EDWARD L., u. s. A.
On Thursday, May 22, 1947,. at
G Walter Reed General HOSPITAL
$50 Capt. EDWARD L. HAWKINS.
@ o. S. A.. beloved husband Of
Mary Hawkins, son of Edward l..
Hawkins, Sr. Services at Walter
Reed Chapel on Saturday, May "a. at IL
a m. Interment private. Services by
!. NH
Evening star., 1947-05-23

GARNER. THOMAS s. On Thursday
May -. I941, at his residence, 30lO Mass.
ave Sc, THOMAS {; GARNE@1, beloved
husband of Lillian S. Garner. iather Of
James E. Garner and stepfsther of Nova
D. Martin. Services ct Chambers Funeral
Home, 517 18th ST. Sc, on Saturday. May
"a. at 11:30 am. Interment Fort Lincoln
Cemetery. 70
Evening star., 1947-05-23

COOKE. CoRPL. ALFRED W., U. S. A.
On Thursday. May %, 1947,
at Walter Reed General Hos
pital, Corpl. ALFRED w. COOKE,
E u. S. A. Funeral services and
interment Overland, Mo. Sery-
ices by Chambers
The Arizona post., 1947-10-17
KvoA PARADE OF STARS

There are time changes and
change of times but KVOA
manages to come out right side up
with a schedule that includes
"Tops in radio entertainment"
Cast an eye over the schedule
and your favorites looking
for Jack Carson? He's on Thurs
days 7:30 pm. d. got a bet on
Saturdays football game? You'll
find the top games broadcast by
Bill Stern Saturday afternoon
over KVOA. When someone asks
you what's first on the hit parade
refer them to Frank Sinatra and
the H. P. Saturdays at ZOO pm.
and for lovers of fine music
the NBC Symphony takes whole
hour on Saturday afternoons at
4:30 pm.
Tumbling over each other with
barely a station break to separ-
ate them on Tuesday night are,
in order, Amos n Andy; Fibber
MCGEE, Molly and closet; Bob
Hope; Red "Junior" Shelton; and
Milton Berle.
BY the time Sunday has rolled
around again, the smiles will
have broadened into real Tucson
tummy-ticklers as you listen to
Jack Benny, Phil Harris, Charlie
Mccarthy, Fred Allen and Take
1t or Leave 1t with Garry Moore
Monday night is ''dignified mu-
sic" night the Voice of Fire
The Arizona post., 1947-10-17
Menuhuin Plays
To Empty Hall

Berlin (WNS)-The auditirium
was three-quarters empty, with
only $50 of the expected 5000
persons in attendance, as Yehudi
Menhuin, well-known American
violinist, gave a special concert
for Jewish displaced persons in
this city.
Although his other concerts
were packed to capacity, the Jew
ish displaced persons in Berlin
boycotted this special perform
ance to protest the benefits the
famed violinist gave for the Ber-
lin Philharmonic and for German
infantile paralysis victims. DIP
leaders asserted the Jews would
not sanction anything which
meant direct aid to Germans who
slaughtered our kin and who are
still anti-Semitic."
The Arizona post., 1947-10-17
WEIZMANN In AMERICA;
BACKS PARTITION

New York (WNS)-Dr. Chain
Weizmann, world renowned Jew
ish leader and former president
of the World Zionist Organization
arrived here this week.
DR.. Weizmann observed that
"all parties are tired of the per-
petual tension and friction and
want a solution in which stable
relations can be established" In
spite of ''the great sacrifice it
means to u.s." DR.. Weizmann as
serted, partition is such solu-
ton because it is final" He noted
that partition would enable the
Jews to continue expanding their
work in peace, adding that it will
also ''give the Arabs assurance
that we are not going to encroach
upon their rights and their terri
tory"
The Arizona post., 1947-10-17
TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT

Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver'S mas
terful presentation of the Jewish
cause before the United Nations
has made a profound impression
on the international conclave . . /.
If speeches alone were sufficient
to influence international deci-
sions, his convincing plea would
serve to dissipate all doubts about
the General Assembly's final de-
cision. In the meantime Wash
ington's strange silence on the
Palestine question is as much a
source of bafflement as constern-
alton to Zionist leadership. . .
Some Zionist leaders do not rule
out the possibility that the U. S.
will advocate the early admission
of 100000 Jews to Palestine in
consideration of leaving the long
range solution in allegiance.
France will fully and unquali-
fiedly back UNSCOP's majority
report
The Arizona post., 1947-10-17
PRUDENTIAL INVESTMENT
INAUGURATES MEETINGS

Prudential Investment Corp,
an Arizona corporation, inaugur-
ated salesmen's weekly luncheon
meetings, with the first meeting
last Monday at the Santa Rita
Hotel. The luncheon meetings will
be held on Tuesdays hereafter,
with a guest speaker.
In the past week the Prudential
Investment Corp. has more than
doubled its sales organization, so
that the increased clientele can be
served better. They specialize in
real estate, insurance, loans, busi-
ness management, etc.
The Arizona post., 1947-10-17

stone, the Telephone Hour, The
Contented Hour with Buddy
Clark.
When mother sighs for the en-
tertainers of the good old days,
tune her to 1890 on Thursday
nights for the Ted Lewis Show
at $50 pm, Immediately followed
by AL JolSon :. !. giving his all for
old and young.
Don't forget to enter your let
ter in the KVOA 9th Anniversary
Contest hundreds of grand
prizes await the winners. All you
do is finish the sentence IT
listen most to KVOA-NBC be-
cause" :. the contest ends Octo-
ber 81 f.. so write yours today.
The Arizona post., 1947-10-17

Now located in their new mod
ern building at 117-121 N. Bean
is Tucson's newest beverage fac
tory.
Sabine Springs will deliver to
your door six-37 ounce bottles of
seltzer water for just $1.20,
syphons included. 1t is new serv-
ice in Tucson and one which
many have requested. All new
The Arizona post., 1947-10-17

ing. The Sabine plant encom-
passes about 1000 square feet of
space.
Mr.. and Mrs. VIM. Gittelman
are the parents of Mrs. Beryl
Kravis, whose husband attends
the U, and Neil, 16, who is a high
school student. Mr.. and Mrs.
Kosta have two daughters,
Marsha, Is, and Sandra, 16.
The Arizona post., 1947-10-17

and modern equipment coupled
with intelligent and experienced
management and operation is Tue
sons assurance that dealing with
Sabine Springs will be pleasant
experience. Their telephone num-
Der is 7371-J.
Gittelman was formerly in the
food business in the East and
Kosta has an excellent back
ground for beverage manufactur-
The Wilmington morning star., 1947-08-22

ton Belt refunding IS, up 2, and
Western Union IS, up SO.
Ending within small fractions
either way of previous prices we're,
among others, bonds of Texas &
Pacific, Pennsylvania Railroad,
New York Central, National Dairy.
Missouri Pacific. Kansas City
Southern. International Great
Northern, Hudson & Manhattan,
Rock Island. St. Paul and Balti-
more & Ohio. New York. West
chester & Boston 4 lbs backed
away l SO points to II Ia.
U. S. governments. which at
tracted higher bids on Wednesday
after investors had disested the
full import of the treasury fall re-
funding program, were a little less
certain of direction. today. Final
prices varied between gains of 1872
to LOSSES of 1872 of a point in both
short and longer term maturities.
Brazilian bonds were on the Of
fering -ide in the foreign dollar
list. Belgium IS also were lower.
Copenhagen IS lost 3 1-8 points at
Today's sales compared with
81, $50, 900 on Wednesday.
STOCK AVERAGES
Compiled by The Associated Press