Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937, December 15, 1916, Image 1

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VOL. L,VI NO. 17,493.
PORTLAND, OREGON, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1916.
PRICE FIVE CENTS.
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GERMAN DRIVE ON
PARIS ATTEMPTED
MEN PAST 45 YEARS
OF AGE IN DEMAND
VALUES EVAPORATE
ON PEACE RUMORS
ATTITUDE OF ALLIES
$200,000 CASH IS
PAID FOR RANCH
DIVER II
3 ASHORE
UNIONS THREATEN
SHIPYARD STRIKE
Closed Shop Is De
EEI
OF 2? SAFE
FEW OF 40,000 MUX IX MOVE
HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS DIS
APPEAR IN STOCK MARKET.
JOSEPH MAX BUYS 8000-ACRU
IIARXEV PROPERTY.
i?
ESCAPE, SAVS WRITER.
NOR
MCOURAGING
CREW
--4
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X
4
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United States Submarine
in Surf Off Eureka.
BREECHES BUOY IS RIGGED
' Escaping Chlorine Gas Adds to
Perils of Rough Sea on
California Coast.
SOME OF CREW ARE INJURED
Lieutenant in Command Last
to Leave Vessel, Which
May Be Recovered.
EUREKA, Cal., Dec. 14. Twenty
seven sailormen, the crew of the
United States submarine H-3, were
saved tonight when the craft went
ashore in the heavy breakers near
here and after it had seemed for a
time that they certainly would be lost.
The men spent nine hours in their
gas-filled vessel, in imminent peril of
their lives. They were finally brought
ashore by reeches buoy. The bat
tered diver was left in the surf, where
heavy seas were playing pitch and
toss with it when darkness shut it
from view.
Later all the men were taken on
board the monitor Cheyenne, under
care of the ship's surgeon,
i Commander Last to Leave. N
Lieutenant Harry R. Bogusch, com
mander of the diver, was the lat to
leave the-ship. The rescue was ef
fected from the shore by means' of
a breeches buoy and furnished for sev
eral thousand spectators the thrilling
finish of an exciting day.
Most of the submarine's crew suf
fered bruises as the result of the
heavy laboring of their floating pris
on, but the injuries of only two wer.
deemed of sufficient importance for
official notice. One of the enlisted
men, Anderson by name, lost three
fingers of his right hand and another
sailor, Blabon, suffered serious hurt
to his hand.
Machinery Trouble to Blame."
The H-3, convoyed by the monitor
Cheyenne and in company with the
H-l and H-2, left the Bremerton
Navy-yard, Washington, December 1,
bound for San Diego. The H-3 lost
her way in the fog shortly after layr
break today and ran aground, drifting
immediately into the breakers off
Samoa, just outside this port.
The Cheyenne followed the disabled
diver as close. as was safe, but could
not get near enough, on account of
shoal water, to render anv assistance.
When the fog cleared a little later the
Cheyenne came into port and members
the crew were dispatched to the
beach to handle the rescue work from
the shore side.
Breeches Buoy Is Rigged.
A line was shot to the derelict ana
at 4:45 P. M. a breeches buoy had
been rigged and the worn of rescue
began. The last man, Lieutenant
Bogusch, was hauled ashore at 6:05
P. M. Lieutenant Boe-usch said that.
water got into the batteries soon after
the diver was trapped in the breakers
that chlorine gas in considerable
quantity was released, but that it
caused them no serious inconvenience
When he saw the rescuers on the
beach he tried to help them by light
ening the H-3's tanks. As a resur
of this, the breakers carried the diver
closer inshore. She was 150 varus
from the beach when the last member
of the crew was brought ashore.
Humboldt Surf man Proves Hero.
To the heroism of surfman Oscar
Swanson, of the Humboldt Coast
Guard station, the men from the H
probably owe their lives. Carried to
the side of the submarine in a surf
boat, Swanson leaped to the sea-
washed decks of the H-3 and finally
made fast a line, after two attempts
by the exhausted crew of the subma
rihe had failed.
While more than 3000 persons stood
along the shore in breathless silence,
Swanson took the first line which had
been shot aboard the submarine early
in the day and made it fast, but it
parted.
A second line fell true across the
. (Concluded on rage 4. Column 1.)
Assault at Point Nearest French
Capital Made at Same Time
as Proposal for Peace.
PARIS. Dec. ' 14. A . German attack
on Lassigny, that part of the front
nearest to Paris, was made Monday
in great force, says La Llberte's cor
respondent with the French armies.
It appears to have been concerted to
coincide with Von Bethmann-Hollweg's
note, probably with a view to impressing-
the French by a local success.
"The Germans brought together
in nnn mAn f mm thn rtest divisions."
adds the correspondent, "and concen
trated corresponding quantities oi ar
Hlii.rv Th attack was oreceded by
an intense bombardment lasting for
hours.
The French were not taken by sur
prise and received the assaulting waves
with a firo. from their three-Inch sruns
and machine jguns, tearing the ranks
terribly. A barrier Tire thrown 10
the rear of the Germans caught the
supporting reserves.
"The Germans reached, the French
franliAs nvcr a frnnt!l?A of 300 VardS.
but an immediate counter attack en
abled the French to regain the
trnnchno rtnlv a t WT 11 rVi Vfir of the
attacking columns escaped. Most of
them were killed after stubDorn re
sistance.
"Tha narmnTia T- n n w f H th ft Assault
an hour later without success. The
French heavy artillery dispersed the
reserves as they came up.
Seattle cafe wrecked
Alleged Liquor Violations Bring
Down Police Ax Squad.
SEATTLE, "Wash., Dec. 14. Ten
thousand dollars' worth of , fixtures
were destroyed tonight by the dry
squad of the Seattle police department
in the American Cafe barroom on Pike
street, and E. D. Morris, lessee of the
premises and proprietor of the resort.
was arrested on the charge of violat
ing the state prohibition law. All
wooden furniture was chopped to pieces
and the plate-glass mirrors, glassware
and cash register were reduced to rub
bish. The place had been raided previously.
when it was conducted by P. E. Sul
livan. Two months ago he leased it
to Morris.
MR. TEAL DECLINES PLACE
Portland Man Tn willing to Serve on
New Shipping Board at $7500.
OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAU, "Wash
ington, Dec. 14. J. N. Teal, of Port
land, has formally declined the offer
of appointment on the shipping board
created by the ship purchase bill passed
last session. .
The Administration strongly urged
Mr. Teal to accept this office, which
pays $7500 a year, but made it a con
dition that he must sever all legal con
nections and devote his entire time to
the work of the board.
It Is understood that this require
ment made it Impossible for Mr. Teal
to accept. Efforts now cxe being made
to secure a Pacific -'-'Oast member from
San Francisco.
ALASKA PRODUCES CAYiAR
American Delicacy May Supplant
Russian In Home Market.
SAN FRANCISCO. Dec. 14. Caviar
from the Alaskan salmon may supplant
in the American market that of the
Russian .sturgeon if experiments made
at the Alaskan cannery during the sea
son Just closed live up to Judgment
pronounced here today by epicures who
tasted the product.
A small quantity experimentally
packed arrived here yesterday. Credit
for the production of the delicacy is
given to a Russian war fugitive em
ployed at a cannery, who observed with
surprise the tK-ily dumping of tons of
salmon roe.
2 WED 60 YEARS FORGET
Inquisitive Newspaper ' Man Causes
Pair to Recall Anniversary.
"WOODLAND, Cal., Dec. 14. (Special.)
U. Waller, a retired stockman of this
city, married Miss Amelia Gum at
Thompsonvllle. 111., 60 years ago today.
The couple did not recall that It was
their anniversary until a newspaper
man questioned the husband today.
Hasty preparations were made for a
wedding" feast. The Wallers and their
son, ' Lou, celebrated the occasion. It
being too late to send word to the
other son and daughters.
Mr. Waller is 81 years old and his
wife 79. They came to California from
Illinois in 18E8.
DYMENT IN SUMMER POST
Journalism , Professor to Conduct
Courses at California.
UNIVERSITY OF OREGON, Eugene,
Dec. 14. (Special.) Colin V. Dyment,
associate professor of Journalism In
the university and who was this week
made administrative head of the de
partment of Journalism of the Univer
sity of Washington, has been asked to
take charge of the courses in Journal
ism at the University of California at
the Summer session of 1917. Professor
Dyment today accepted.
At the Summer session of last year
Professor Dyment was associated with
Merle Thorpe, of the University of Kan
eas, who had charge of the courses.
Prime of Life Lasts Till
60, Is Decision.
EMPLOYERS NOT TO BAR AGE
Competence Only Need, Spirit
of Chicago Conference-
POSITIONS GIVEN HUNDREDS
Workers Scorn Pensions, Shouting
"We Want Work" Railway Of-
ficlal Says Men of 60 Mi3
Money for Him and Selves.
CHICAGO, Dec. 14. (Special.)
"Hands across the footlights" epitom
ized the spirit today at the Olympic
Theater, when 1500 of Chicago's "aged"
men met to confer with employers on
a vital problem. The problem was:
What can you do with a man when he
has passed his 45th year?
The problem was solved. The em
ployers solved It by saying emphatic
ally that a man more than 45 years and
under 60 years old is in the prime of
his usefulness, and by offering lucra
tive employment to all men in the city
between those ages.
The offers were accepted with cheers
and riotous . enthusiasm, and for 20
minutes the ' theater was surcharged
with, the spirit of Christmas. It was
an eloquent Indication that the men as
sembled were growing old in years
only. In the will to do they still re
tained all the ebullience of youth.
More Accompllfihf d After 43.
Charles G. Dawes, the chairman. In
opening the meeting, said that every
man behind the footlights, as well as
all before them, was more than 45
years old, and that in the matter of
age. at least, tbey were in thorough
harmony.
Ite then introduced the speakers, and
it speedily became apparent that they
harmonized in another way in ' the
earnest conviction that no man, provid
ed he is competent, should be barred
from honest work merely because of
his age.
S. M. Hastings, of the Illinois Manu
facturers' Association, was the first
speaker. His age is not less than 50,
and this is what be said:
"I have done more work and better
work, and I have made more money
and done more for my fellow men
ince I was 45 years old than I ever
did before.
Economic Waste la Charged.
"It is a sinful economic waste to
deny employment to a man because he
has passed a certain age. And the
man who first said that a 45-year-old
man has outlived his usefulness should
be horsewhipped." . .
Mr. Hastings was here Interrupted by
(Concluded on Page 2, Column 2.)
......... .- . - - ............................... ........
WHO PUSHED HUMPTY DUMPTY OVER? j
United States Steel Alone .Shows
Shrinkage or $66,000,000 as '
Result of Week's Reaction.
NEW YORK, Dec. 14. Apprehension!
and confusion created by the Teutonic
peace proposals and heightened by vul
nerable technical conditions caused an
other outburst of liquidation in the
stock market today, leaders other than
rails breaking 5 to 10 points, with far
more serious impairment in shares of
less prominence.
The decline, reaching- Its climax in
the last hour,-was materially assisted
by a series of bear drives, whicb. dis
lodged many weak bull accounts , and
effected what the speculative frater
nity is accustomed to call a 'hoase
cieaning." Many traders were sold out
on "stop-loss" orders, and others were
forced to accept heavy losses on their
inability to meet calls for additional
margin.
Altogether it was one of the most
severe reversals of any of the nume.
ous bull markets which have had their
origin In the European war. Today's
extreme declines represent losses of SO
to 50 points, from high levels of last
month. Rails were only slightly unact
led, some Issues in that division closing
at net gains.
Hundreds of millions of dollars. In
sofar as represented by price quota
tions, 'have evaporated into thin air as
a result of this week's drastic reaction.
United Spates Steel alone showed a
shrinkage of 12 points at today's lowest
level from last week's final quotations,
or about $66,000,000 on its total out
standing common shares.
STATE VALUE $878,753,944
Assessment for 1916 Is $55,731,087
Less Than for Last Year.
SALEM, Or., Dec 14. (Special.) The
total assessed valuation of the state for
1916 is $55,731,087.54 less than the pre
ceding year, according to the State
Tax Commission today.
The total assessed valuation for this
year, including property assessed by
County Assessors and that assessed by
the State Tax Commission is $878,753,
944.71, as compared to $934,495,032.25
for last year.
The valuation of property assessed
by the State Tax Commission is $117,
728,817.13. as compared to $121,978,-391-91.
- .
The Valuation by the County Asses
sors Is $761,035,127.58, as compared to
$812,516,640.34. '
TROOP'S RETURN ASKED
Mothers ' Want Tacoiutt Guardsmen
Home by Christmas.
TACOMA, Wash., Dec. 14. (Special.)
A petition to bring the boys home by
Christmas or New Year's at the latest,
signed by 50 mo'.'uera of Troop B mem
bers, and a second having 75 signers
among the men, will be sent at once to
Major-General Bell, in command of the
Department of the West. Mrs. D. E.
Roberts, president of the Women of
Troop B, announced today.
Monday night Tacoma women will go
to Seattle to attend a mass meeting to
protest against holding of the men of
the signal corps zz Sorder. Seattle
will ask their return by Christmas also.
Washington Sees Pos
sibility of Peace.
FLAT REJECTION IS UNLIKELY
Change in Entente Position Is
Regarded as Noteworthy.
ARMISTICE IS DISCUSSED
Germans Think Conference of All
Belligerents for General Dis
' cussion Would Result in
Actual Peace Move.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 14. Arrival of
both the German and Austrian peace
notes ana broad intimations ,at the
entente allied embassies that the pro
posals of the central powers would not
be flatly rejected without examina
tion, were the outstanding develop
ments here today in the peace move.
Germany's note, substantially the
same as the published texts, arrived by
cable In the early hours of the morn
ing, and just as the State Department
was closing for the day Austria's note
arrived. Secretary Lansing said It was
identical with Germany's 'and that
neither contained any change in mean
ing from the semiofficial versions.
IVotes Not Yet Forwarded.
It was stated officially that neither
Germany's nor Austria's note would be
forwarded before tomorrow, if. Indeed,
then, and there was no Indication that
the President had made up his mind
what action. If any, he would take in
transmitting the central power propos
als to the entente belligerents.
When, with the announcement of the
German proposals two days ago. it ap
peared that the entente allies were in
clined to reject the offer flatly, it ap
peared doubtful If President Wilson
could find a way to add a word of
mediation in transmitting the notes.
With apparent moderating of that first
attitude, as " reflected ' in the British
newspapers and among the entente al
lied diplomats here, the way seems
easier for the President to express
some way the hope of the United States
that the proposal for a discussion of
peace will not be rejected without con
sideration. Neutral Support Probable. v
In such a step there is a likelihood
that the United States will be support
ed by some of the European neutrals.
The Minister of one of them today
asked his government to authorize him
to assure the President of indorsement
In such, a move, and it is believed oth
ers are considering the same phase of
the situation.
The Spanish Ambassador, Mr. Rianof
and the Swiss Minister, Dr. Hitter, both
conferred with Secretary Lansing to
day. Ttrrtr governments also are act
ing as intermediaries in transmitting
(Concluded on Pant 4, Column 5.)
Noted McRao Farm Carries 10,000
Sheep, 100 Horses, 100 Cows
and Poultry, All Registered.
By the terms of a deal closed yester
day by Ray W. Logan, of La Grande,
Or, the' famed MacRae ranch of 8000
acres in Grant County, known as one
of the most efficiently conducted cat
tle ranches In the West, has been sold
by its owner, Mrs. Lilian MacRae, to
C P. Ragsdale, of Joseph, Or. The
price was $200,000 and the deal was
cash. Mr. Ragsdale -will take immedi
ate possession.
The land is partly on the John Day
River near Dayvllle and partly in Bear
Valley. It consists of 650 acres in. al
falfa, 2000 acres in meadow and 6500
acres for grazing. Included are 10.000
sheep, 100 horses, 100 head of cattle
and a large. amount of farm equipment.
The place is provided - with modern
barns and residences.
All the stock is registered, even to
the hens and turkeys. This Is a part
of that ranch that" has added to Its
Income. Mrs. MacRae will move to
Portland within a few days and event
ually plans a trip to France and Eng
land to visit relatives.
C. P. Ragsdale. purchaser of the
ranch, recently disposed of a large
wheat and sheep ranch he owned at
Joseph. He will take Immediate pos
session of the MacRae ranch.
SWISS AVALANCHE FATAL
Children's Sanitarium and Train
Buried Under Alpine Snows.
PARIS. Dec. 14. Two lives have been
lost and several persons badly injured
as a result or an avalanche that de
stroyed the children's sanitarium at
Waldhelm, Pontresina, in the Upper
Engadine, Switzerland, according to a
aispatch from Berne today.
x5rui.Mii Switzerland, Dec. 13, via
fans. Dec. 14. An electric train cross
ing tiernma Fass today was buried
under an avalanche. A rescuing party
aug out the passengers, two of whom
had died.
$200,000 MILL IS BURNED
Kleeb Lumber Company's Plant at
Sonth Bend, Wash., Destroyed. ...
SOUTH RFVn fVa.h -n it: t.v- -
Kleeb Lumber Company's mill was de
stroyed by fire here late tonight caus
ing a loss Of S200.000. Thn Klo .l.rl.J
In the flreroom and spread to the main
mui. xne plant is owned by John W.
Kleeb, State Senator from Panifir- ar.A
Wahkiakum Counties. He is now on
nis ranch at Fasco. Some insurance
was carried on the mill.
The Plant has been cl
several weeks, but was to have started
cutting tne first of the year.
INDEX OF TODAY'S NEWS
The Weather.
YESTERDAY'S Maximum temperature 43
degrees; minimum, 33 degrees. '
TODAY'S Fair; easterly winds.
Peace.
Washington takes encouragement from
changing attuude of allies. Page 1.
Official Petrograd rejects peace proposals.
Page 4.
Germans expect answer to peace proposal.
Page 4.
Foreign.
San Francisco boy denied Sllngt estate
by British House of Lords. Page .
War.
Germany offers to let American diplomats
investigate situation of deported Bel
gians. Page 4,
German surprise drive toward Paris falls.
Page 1.
National.
Plan to present American Lake campsite to
Government encounters legal obstacles.
Page 3.
House committee votes In favor of National
prohibition amendment. Page 7.
Domestic.
Men more than 45 years of age in demand at
Chicago employers' conference. Page 1.
Hundreds of millions of stock values
"evaporate" as result of peace talk.
Page 1.
United States submarine H-3 goes ashore;
crew saved. Page 1.
Sudden cold wave causes three deaths.
Page 2.
Sports.
Ban Johnson to decide whether AA league
shall be exempt from draft. Page IT.
Fred Mitchell will manage Cubs. Page 18.
Thomaa J. Dera.ody acquires control of
Vernon club. Page 16.
Mascott and Johnson fight draw. Page 18.
Vancouver's best player out of game with
Uncle Sams tonight. Page 18.
Pacific Northwest.
Shots on night of raid are described.
Page 6.
Father wins custody of girl after ebase of
thousands of miles. Page 3.
State two-year levy limit S5.638.T35. Page 6.
Commercial and Marine.
Local flour prices lower with decline In
wheat. Page 20.
Chicago wheat market Influenced by Wall
street break. Page 20.
Flood of selling breaks prices in stock mar
ket. Page 20.
One dredge to lay up because of fuel short
age. Page IT.
Johnson Line, of Stockholm, to run ships
here. Page IT.
Portland and Vicinity.
Harney County ranch brings J 200, 000 cash.
Page 1.
Stock in Bank of Sympathy being generously
subscribed. Page 9.
Scores champion young mother repudiated.
Page 11.
County Clerks favor four-year terms.
Page '10.
Weathr report, data and forecast. Page 20.
Mr. Blgelow joins Counell majority against
Jitneys. Page 14.
U.'ions threaten shipyard strike. Page 1.
Astoria Russian returns from war in Europe.
Page 11.
Campaign starts for fair buildings. Page 8.
Repeal of widow's pension act urged. Page 0.
Prealdency of Jackson Club goes begging.
1'age 5.
Reed debaters lose twice. Page 5.
r. BvQ Zlon Mosslnsohn arrives. Page 2.
Grocers attack boycott. Page T.
"Winning; of Barbara Worth" at Itelllg.
HaK 8.
liiiU echoed debates tonight, rasa 8.
manded.
ABOUT 3000 MEN INVOLVED
Eight-Hour Day Granted by
Employers Voluntarily.
SEVERAL MEETINGS HELD
Question Is Brought to Issue by
Requirement Presented to Build
efe Calling for Specific
Scale and Recognition.
Portland's steel shipbuilding Indus
try is threatened with labor difficul
ties that may prevent its further de
velopment and progress.
Officials of the Metal Trades Coun
cil, comprising 10 separate labor unions
engaged in shipbuilding work, yester
day made formal requests for the
unionization of three of the biggest
shipyards In the city.
The three plants affected are the
Northwest Steel Company, the Willam
ette Iron & Steel Works and the Smith
& Watson Iron Works. About 3000 men
are involved.
Open Shop vs. Closed Shop.
The threatened difficulty, it appears,
hinges entirely on the "open shop"
question.
The Portland plants now are operat
ed on the "open shop" basis. The union
officials want the owners to enter into
"closed shop" agreements. The own
ers, apparently, want to continue on
the "open shop" plan.
Many Conference Held.
It might be explained, parenthetic
ally, that an "open shop" is one in
which union men and non-union men
are employe indiscriminately without
formal recognition of the unions' ex
istence. ' A "closed shop" is -one- in
which only union men are employed.
It is estimated that 65 to 80 per cent
of the men now employed in the local
plants belong to the unions.
Informal negotiations between repre
sentatives of the unions and the em
ployers have been in progress ever
since the steel shipbuilding industry
began to develop here six months ago.
The situation was brought to a focus
yesterday morning when representa
tives of the unions presented copies
of proposed agreements to the em
ployers. The agreement carries a specific
scale of wages for every class of em
ployes affiliated with the Metal Trades
Council, recognition of the union and
an eight-hour day.
The eight-hour day. however, is now
in effect in all the Portland plants,
having been granted voluntarily three
months ago.
Wages Are Increased.
Substantial increases In wages, av-'
eraglng approximately 25 per cent, were
granted at the same time.
The following crafts are represented
under the proposed agreement: ma
chinists, bollermakers.. blacksmiths,
moulders, marine fitters, plumbers and
helpers, painters. Iron shipbuilders and
helpers, shipwrights. Joiners, boat
builders, electrical workers, copper
smiths, and sheet metal workers and
moulders.
The present scale of wages for these
men varies. The standard rate for
skilled mechanics is 50 cent an hour
and up. Unskilled men are paid pro
portionately less. Highly-skilled men
get more than the 50-cent scale.
Apprenticeship Point at Inaue.
Under the proposed schedule ma
chinists, for instance, would be paid a
minimum of 50 cents an hour, with a
graduated scale for apprentices." The
apprenticeship period would cover a
period of four years.
This Is one point upon which the em
ployers and employes most seriously
differ. The unions want a long ap
prentice perltod. The employers are
eager to advance men as fast as pos
sible in six months if they show an
aptitude for the work. The employers
say that inasmuch as experienced men
are extremely hard to get, their work
will be seriously handicapped by the
four-year apprentice rule.
Minimum Rates Are Specified.
Other minimum rates for the various
crafts are specified as follows: Sheet
metal workers, 59 cents an hour; cop
persmiths, 62 ,4 cents an hour: elec
trical workers, $4.50 a day on new or
yard work and J5.50 a day on old or
repair work: shipwrights, joiners and
boatbullders. $5 a day; blacksmiths.
56 cents an hour: marine fitters and
plumbers. $4.50 a day, and helpers, $3.50
a day: painters, $4 a day. and on bitu
minous composition, $5 a day; boiler
makers, shipbuilders and helpers, $4.50
a day; Hangers and layers-out. $5 a
day; on pipe lines, stacks and all steel
erecting, 62 cents an hour; helpers
to bollermakers, 3T cents an hour;
patternmakers, 56 Vi cents an hour;
iron moulders. $4.50 a day.
The union men declare that this is
precisely the same scale that is in ef
fect in Seattle and approximately the
same as that in San Francisco.
The shipbuilding plants in both Se
attle and San Francisco are operated
on the "closed ehop" principle.
Another important provision is dou
ble time for overtime. At present local
Couciuded ou l'aga i, Column l.
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