ntmn VOL.XY.-N0. 291 SHENANDOAH. PA. TUESDAY. DECEMBER 5. 1899. ONE CENT Sold For Cash or J. 1 . YYimailld QL tfUU, MUSIC STORE. 13 S. (Vlaln St., Shenandoah, Pa. g0'HARA'S F"OR LIVERT OPEN DAY AND NIGHT. TELEPHONE CONNECTIONS. Cor. Lloyd and White St a., SHENANDOAH and It's Going to be a Great CHRISTMAS ! We baye got the Goods and make the Prices that will fill nil the stockings- AND DO IT REASONABLY, TOO. W- i ' For we anticipated "High Prices" chases early in the spring. That is than any one else we sell gt.oo dolls ball decoiations, 10c articles tor 7c. And so on all through the list ot Toys, Games, Books and Fancy Articles. WE HAVE GOT A FULL STOCK OF THlNdS EVERYBODY WANTS. We can show you appropriate glfta for young and old, costing from a mere trifle tip to as costly a present as you can make. WE ARE SUKB TO PI,EASE YOU IN SELECTION. WE ARE SURE TO MAKE YOU HAPPY WITH OUR PRICES. Morgan's Fancy Bazar, - 23 N. Main St WALM ELLS Trotting Harness. Buggy " Carriage " Surrey " Express " Team !' Harness Oil and Dressing, Snaps, need tor your norse or wagon. Swalm's - Hardware - Store HANNINQ. ;-r ' E. MANNING, CORNER OF" INIAIN AND OAK STREETS. COFFEES Have advanced in first hands and indications point to higher prices. Our good roasted coffees at 10c a pound and 2 pounds for 25c are good goods and worth more money. In better grades we offer i. Our Choice Rio at id cents. Our Fine Mexican at 18 cents. Our Fancy Blend at 25 cents Our Fancy Old Government Java is the Best. OUR FISH STOCK I Fnncy No. 1 Norway Mackerel Large, White and Fat. Extra Shore No. 1 Mackerel. Large fJo. 2 Mackerel CODFISH Whole and Strips. Corned Codfish in SALMON All kinds and prices, Smoked Yarmouth Bloaters. Saused Mackerel and Sardines. At McPhail Pianos. For Go years made on honor Sold on merit. Strictly High Grade. -AND OTHER MARKS. Leased on Time. FURNITURE AND AND lain Street, MAHANOY CITY. this season, and so made our pur why we can afford to sell cheaper for 90c; pi 20 dolls for pi; glass UORSEMEN IARNESS. Bridles, Collars, Halters, Lines, Saddles, Traces, Tie Straps, Hame Straps, Feed Bags, Buckles. In fact everything you HANNINQ. MUCH SHOE SELLING And shoe buying has learned us a lot about the good and bad points of f-SHOES$ And we never buy those that are the least suspicious. Only the best of each kind or grade get into our stock and the increasing number of customers proves that our efforts to sell FINE FOOTWEAR At reasonable prices are appreci ated. Medium No. 1 Mackerel all White, Fat, New Fish. Codfish Bricks and Shredded Cans. from 10 cents up. KEITER'S. 8 . f WORK OF DEGENERATES. A School llvutn Turned Into Itemirz- vous by Iluliih A caso of a most nnusual character wni heard before. Justice Shoemaker last night and tho accused parties will no doubt bo the object of tlio court's severest censure when the case comes up tor trial. The School Hoard Is tho prosecutor aud the caso will he pressed to tho full extent of the law. In order that au unmistakable example of the of fendurs may he made to deter others from violating the sanctity of buildings devoted to public educational purposes. Tho affair has aroused much indignation. Tho accused parties are pAtrlek Egan, who was locked up Sunday night after a scuttle with Policeman Iluud for disorderly conduct on North Main street', George Gudaliewlcz, a youthful Lithuanian with a criminal record; Terrcnco McLannand a fourth party known Peter Smith. The charge, as shown by tho information sworn to hy Truant OlUcor Michael Connors, Is that tho accused burglariously onterod the Coal street public school house iu the borough of Shenandoah, desecrating tho same by having a keg of beer therein, drink ing the same and, further, .did feloniously tako everything m vable out of the desks and drawers after breaking the locks thereof. That they also maliciously defaced and in jured the charts and other property belong ing to the school building and held occupa tion thereof until early Monday morning." hgan was held in the lockup on the Sun day night charge until Gudaliewlcz was treated last night by Policemen Hand and Foyle. Both were then taken beforo Justice Shoemaker and given a hearing. When called upon to plead the accused said they heard there was beer in the school house and tkey went there 'f hoy found only enough left for a drink apleco. Then they left Mrs. Mary Walters swore she saw Guda liewlcz pry open a window of the school building at about two o'clock Sunday after noon and be climbed Into the building with Egan. They remained In tho building about five minutes, and then came out. Mrs, Mary Slack gave similar testimony. Truant Qllicer Connors testified that a panel and lock of the school building weie found broken, charts hanging on the walls were destroyed by having beer thrown upon them, ample evldonccs of beer being thrown about tho room wore found, tho teacher's desk was found broken open and pencil had been stolen. Policeman Patrick Hand testified that when Gudaliewlcz was arrested he found two lead pencils with the Shenandoah School District stamps upon them and a revolver npoa his person Upon tho close of tho bearing Justice Shoemaker fixed -bail In tho sum of (500, each, iu default of which tho accused were taken to the Pottsvllle jail this morning. M.il. llurtto, bsq., counsel for the School Board, was In attendance at the bearing, as prosecuting officer. Several of the School Directors and Superintendent J. W. Cooper were also present. Last night Peter Smith was taken into cus tody by Policemon Hand and Foyle. Ter ranca McLane was arrested by the same officers at his home early this morning, as he was preparing to go to bis work In the mines. Both of these young men were locked up. .Altera hearing before Justice Shoemaker this afternoon McLano was put under $300 ball for trial at court and Smith was put under bail for a further hearing to-morrow evening, at 7 o'clock, there not being suffi cient ovldcnco upon wbicb to hold him for trial at court. ON TRIAL AT SCRANT0N. Three Shenandoah Men Facing. Charges of llurglary. C. & I. Policeman James Daniel, Police men Martin Mullaby and Thomas Bolin, Nonstable Taliesin Phillips and Daniel E Brennan are at Scranton to attend as wit nesses on the. trial of four men accused of burglamlng the Carbondale Traction Com pany's offices several months ago. It will be remembered that the fifth man implicated in the caso was shot dead during bis flight of escape The accused are William Zollner, alias William Zcrby j James Gaughan, alias James Kelly; Patrick Dalton, alias Joseph Leonard: John Cumming3, alias "Western Kid." Tho latter was shot in the arm during the attempt to get away and the arm was amputated at a scranton hospital. JJoIIuer, Gaughan and Dalton are residents pf Sbeuandoah. Zollner served a long term for the robbing of Daniel h. Brennan's bouse in town several years ago, when about eighteen hundred dollars were stolen. Isn't that a pretty dlsnlav of hand decor ated and gold plated goods shown In Brumm's show window? ll-28-tf Mine Workers Meeting, A meeting of the United Mine Workers of America, for tho purpose of orgauizing local branch, will be held in Itynkawicz's ball, corner of Mam and Oak streets, to morrow (Wednesday) evening, at 7 o'clock. It will be addressed by President John Fahey, who will speak in English, and Dis trict President Paul P. Pulaski, of Mt. Car mel, who will make an address in the Polish language. Mr. Pulaski went to Mahanoy City to-day. to make arrangements for es tabllshing a branch there and will also visit Girardvllle and Mahanoy Plane this week, to make similar arrangements. "The Star of Bethlehem." The above cantata will be presented to the people of Shenandoah on the IStli Inst., in the Primitivo Methodist church. It will bo an elaborate affair, and tho leading musical talent of tho town will participate in its pro- duction, on a most elaborate scale. Those who fall to secure tickets .and witness tho cantata will miss a treat, 12-5-2t Beecham's Pills for distress after eating. Ofllcers Installed. District Deputy Mrs. Emily T. Williams, of town, and Past Noble Grand Mrs. Metcalf, of L.ost Ureek, last night installed the officers of Annie Harrison Lodge No. S3, Daughters of Eebekab, at Mahanoy City. The lodge will hold an anniversary turkey supper next Wednesday evening and plates will be pre. pared lor l.i people. Try our Hokey-Pokey Taffy, at pound. At M, I.. Kcniaierer & Co.'s, :t)o per 418t Propped Their Plunder ami Ran, Burglars gained entrance into the residence of Thomas Scott, at Mt, Carmel, at an early hour yesterday morning. They collected a quantity of silverware in tho dlniug room and one was about to enter George Scott' bedroom when Mr. Scott was awakened and shouted for help. Tho robbers became frieht ened and fled, leaving most of the plunder behind. Mr. Scott abet at the burglars, but missed. Women love a clear, healthy complexlpn Pure blood makes it. B .rdock Blood Bitters make pure blood, PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE HEAD j COflGfrESS 1 The Chief Executive Outlines Our Philippine Mission, and Says the United States Has Observed Neutrality in the Transvaal flust Keep Faith With Cuba. To tho Senate and Utilise ot Kopro sentatlves: The Flfty-tixth congress convenes In Us first regular session with the coun try In a condition ot unusual pros perity, of universal pood will among the people at home, and In relation!) of peace and friendship with every gov ernment of tho world. Our forolgn commerce has shown great increase in volumo and value. The combined im ports and exports for tho year are the largest ever shown by a single year in nil our history. Our exports for 1809 nlono exceeded by moro than billion dollars our Imports and ex ports combined tn 1870. The Imports per capita are 20 per cent less than In S70, while the oxports per capita aro 58 per cent moro thrin In 1870, show ing the enlarged capacity of the Uni ted States to satisfy the wants of Its own Increasing population, as woll aa to contribute to those of the peoples of other nations. Exports ot agricultural products were 1784,776,142. Of manufactured products we exported In value $339,- 592,140, being larger than any pre vious year. It Is a noteworthy fact that tho only- years tn all our history when the products of our manufac tories sold abroad exceeded thoso bought abroad were 1898 and 1899. Government receipts from all sources for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1899, Including $11,798,314.14, part payment of the Central Pacific rnllroad indebt edness, aggregated $010,982,004.35. Cus toms receipts were $500,128,481.75, and those from Internal revenuo $273,437, lf.1.51. For the fiscal year the expenditures were $700,093,564.02, leaving a. delicti of $89,111,559.07. , The secretnry of tho treasury esti mates that tho receipts for the cur rent fiscal year will aggregate $010, 958,112, and upon tho basis of present appropriations the expenditures will aggregate $000,958,112, leaving a sur plus of $40,000,000. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 1899, tho Internal revenue receipts were Increased about $100,000,000. The present gratifying strength of the treasury Is shown by the fact that on Dec, 1, 1899, the available cash bal. nnce was $278,004,837.72, of which $239,744,005.30 was In- gold coin and bullion. Tho conditions of confidence which prea!l throughout tho coun try have brought gold Into more gen eral use and customs receipts aro now almost entirely paid In that coin. The strong position of tho treasury with respect to cash on hand and the favorable showing made by the reve nues have made It possible for tho secretary of the treasury to take action under the provisions of Section 3,094, Revised Stntues, rotating to the sink ing fund. Receipts exceeded expendi tures for tho first fl';e months of the current fiscal year T)y $13,413,389.91, anil, as mentioned above, tho secretary of the treasury estimates that thero will be a surplus of approximately $40,- 000,000 at tho end of tho year. Under such conditions It was deemed advis able and proper to resume compliance with the provisions or tne sinking fnnd law, which for eight years has not been done, because of deficiencies In the revenues, The treasury depart ment, therefore, ofTered to purchase during November S25.000.000 of the 5 per cent loan of 1904, or tho 4 per cent funded loan of 1007 at tne current i market price. The amount offered and purchased during November was $18,- 408,000. Te premium paid by the gov ernment on such purchases was $3, 263,521 and tho net saving In interest was about $2,885,000. Tho success of this operation was sufficient to Induce the government to continue the offer to purchase bonds to and Including the 23d day of December, Instant, unless the remainder of the $25,000,000 called for should bo presented In the mean time for redemption. In Its earlier history tho national banking act seemed to prove a reason able avonuo through which needful additions to the circulation could from time to time be made. Changing con ditions have apparently rendered It now Inoperative to that end. The high margin In bond securities required, re sulting from large premiums which government bonds command In the market, or tho tax on note Issues, or both operating together, appear to bo the Influences which impair Its public utility. The attention of congress Is respect fully Invited to this Important matter, with the view of ascertaining whether or not such reasonable modification can be made In the national banking act as will render Us service In the partlcu- lars here referred to more responsive to tho people s needs. I again urgo that tho national banks bo authorized to organize with a capital of $25,000. I urgently recommend that to sup port the existing gold standard and to maintain "the parity in value of tho coins ot the two metals (gold and sli ver) and tho equal power df every dollar at all times In the market and In the payment of debts," the secre tary of the treasury be given addition al power and charged with the duty to sell United States bonds and to em ploy such other effective means as may be necessary to theso ends. The authority should include the power to sell bonds ou long and short time, as Absolutely Makes the food more sovtt BAmwa tonrtltfbns may require, and should provide for a rate of Interest lower than thnt fixed by the act of Jan. 14, 1875. While there Is now no com mercial fright which withdraws gold from tho government, but, on tho con trary, such widespread confidence that gold seeks the treasury demanding paper money In exchange, yet the very situation points to the presont m the most fitting time to make adequate provision to Insure the continuance of tho gold standard and ot public confi dence In the ability and purpose of the government to meet all its obliga tions In tho money which the civilized world recognizes as the best. Tho financial transactions ot the government are conducted upon a gold basis. We receive gold when we sell United States bonds and use gold for their payment. We are maintaining the parity of all the money Issued or corned by authority of the government. Wo are doing these things with the means at hand. Happily at the pres ent tlmo we are not compelled to re sort to loans to supply gold. It has been done In the past, however, and may have to be done In the future. It behooves us. th. , : , .vido at once the bc3t tm'.itin to meet the emergency when it arises, and tho best means are those which aro the most certain and economical. Those now authorized have the virtue neither of directness nor economy. We have al ready eliminated one of the causes of our financial plight and embarrassment during the years 1893, 1894, 1895 and 1896. Our receipts now equal our ex penditures; deficient revenues no longer create alarm. Let us remove the only remaining causes by confer ring the full and necessary power on tho secretary of the treasury and Im pose upon him the duty to uphold tho present gold standard, and preserve the coins of the two metals on a parity with each othor, which Is the repeatedly declared policy of the Uni ted States. In this connection I repeat my for mer recommendations that a portion ot the gold holdings shall be placed In a trust fund from which greenbacks shall be redeemed upoji presentation, but when onco redeemed shall not thereafter be paid out except for gold. Vnlnp of n Mrrchnnt SInrlne. The value of an American merchant marine to the extension of our com mercial trade and the strengthening of our power upon the sea Invites the Immediate action of the congress. Our national development will be one Bided and unsatisfactory so long as the remarkable growth of our Inland In dustries remains unaccompanied progress on tho seas. Thero Is by no lack of constitutional authority legislation which shall give to for the country maritime strength commen surate with Its Industrial achievements and with Us rank among the nations of tho earth. Tho past year has re corded exceptional activity In our ship yards, and the promises of continual prosperity In shipbuilding are abund ant. Advanced legislation for the pro tection of our seamon has been en acted. Our coast trade, undor regula tions wisely framed at the beginning ot the government and since, shows re sults for the past fiscal year unequal ed In our records ot those of any other power. Wo shall fall to realize our opportunities, however, If we com- piaisantly regard only matters at home and blind ourselves to the neces sity of securing our share in the val uable carrying trade of tho world. A Chniiter on Trut, Combinations ot capital organized Into trusts to control the conditions ot trade among our citizens, to stifle com petition, limit production and deter mine tho prices of products used and consumed by the people aro justly provoking public discussion, and should early claim the attention of the congress. The Industrial commission, created by the act of the congress of Juno 18, 1898, has been engaged In extended hearings upon the disputed questions Involved In the subject of combina tions in restraint of trade and com petition. They have not yet completed their investigation of this subject, and the conclusions and recommendations at which they may arrive are unde termined. It Is universally conceded that com' blnatlons which engross or control the market of any particular kind of mer chandise or commodity necessary to tho general community by suppress ing natural and ordinary competition whereby prices are unduly enhanced j to the general consumer aro obnoxious, not only to the common law, but also to the nubile welfare. There must be a remedy for the evils evolved in such organizations. If the present law can be extended more certainly to ,con' troi or ciieck tnese monopolies or trusts It should be done without delay, Whatever pover the congross pos sesses over this most Important sub ject should be promptly ascertained and asserted. President Harrison's message of Dec. 3, 1889. Is then quoted, and Presl dent McKlnley proceeds: An net to protect trade and com merco against unlawful restraints and (Continued on Third Page.) Powder "Pure delicious and wholesome SQWOtS CO., htw vodk. LIQUOR LAW VIOLATORS. The Ministerial Association Ha Organised lo I'unlsh Ktil Doer. The Schuylkill Couuty Ministerial Associa tion tnet at tbe Second Prashy torlau cbureb. at Pottsvllle, yesterday. Step were taken toward tbe organisation of a Ijw and Order Society for tbe maintenance of tbe county's laws and the suppression of viee. The com mittee having this matter In charge is com Iosed of Itev. George KIMott, D. I) , ebair. man, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal hureb ; Itev. w. P. llenU, English Luth eran ; Itev. J. II. Eastman, D. D , First Pres byterian : jtev. James B. May, Trinity Epis copal, and Rev. A. J. Drunner, United Evan gelical church. Her I. F. Hefoler, of Zlon's Evangelical church, read a very able paper on "Tbe Rela tion or Secret Organisations to tho Cbureh." Ills paper and the establishment of tho Law nd Order Society were much discussed. Tbe latter organisation will have for ita eblef ob ject the punishment of all violators ef the urooKft- license laws, in tins Bounty, urge numbers of saloon keepers. It is alleged, have been for some time past breaking the liquor laws witb-irapunity. All'klnds of nut meats at M. L. Ketnmerer Co.'s. Walnuta, 20. cent : shellbarks. 36 cents. 12-MSt Tommy Waters Writes. The following letter from one of our townsmen who is making his mark In tbe theatrical world will be read with Interest: Editor Herald: Kindly tell all my friends through the columns of your valuable paper that I am still at Dumont's Minstrels, 11 lb street opera house, Philadelphia, being In my fourteenth week, and dolus woll. I have seen uiauy faces in tho audience from Shenandoah since I have been here. Frank W. Nason, manager of the Pat Maloney show, which appears at Shenandoah on De cember 7th, is a partner of mine in several theatrical ventures, which have proved very successful, our latest addition being tho pur- base of the old John Howorth Uibernica Comedy Company and panorama of Ireland, men we win put on the road next season Ith a brass band and orchestra. Wishing you and your paper and all Shenandoah a Merry Christmas, I remain. lours truly, Tom Waters. Manager Ferguson says Mr. Waters will make a special trip to Shenandoah and appear with the company here Thursday evening. Buy your Clothing at Harry Levit's. Tetty Chscs. Justice Shoemaker disposed of tbe follow ing cases last night : Charles Zatara and Matt Sawick. larceny on oath of Kleinens Karbicz. Each gavo $300 bail. Tho prosecutor says ho entered a saloon and met tbe accused, who asked him to change a $5 bill for them. They kept both tbe chango and the bill. Anna Hudak was prosecuted for assault and battery and surety by Mary Mroch and gavo $300 ball. Mary Macklnwicz gave $300 bail on a charge of surety and nuisance made by Anna Krankowska. STKAWHEItltV AND VASILUV iOK CltlAM, OIIAN3K WAT Kit 1CK. Made daily at Scbeidcr's bakery, 27 East Centre street. Puro and delicious. 12-1-tf New Trolley Line. It is reported that several influential Sben. audoah citizeus are interested In a new trolley line, which will connect Pottsville aud Tamaqua, a distance of 171 miles. It is said rights of way havo already been granted by all the towns with the exception of Port Carbon and Pottsville. This line will also connect Tamaqua with Mahanoy City, paci ng lakeside, thus makiug a continuous Hug from Pottsville to Shamokin The rights of way through the various towns have been worked very quietly. Some of the Shenan doah parties were in Pottsville on Sunday in terviewing tho L'ouncilmen of that town and 'ort Carbon, To Cure a Cold In One Day Take Laxative Ilromo Quinine Tablets All druggists refund tho money if it fails to cure. L. W. Grove s signature is on each box. 25c. Necessity for u Chungs Kvldent. From Philadelphia Press. The suggestion is made that a combination consisting of Senator Sam. I.Oicb. Diniel Dully, Charles A. Snyder and William Wll holm will likely bo a controlling influence in the Republican politics of Schuylkill couuty n the immediate future. The necessity for somo change there has becomo evident to everybody. Methods of corruption uud dis honesty have cost tho orgaulzation tbe con fidence of the people. If You Want Ilargnlns In Overcoats and Suits, go to Harry Levit's. Mine Inspector's lttporu Mine Inspector Edward Brennan, of the Seventh anthracite district, reports three fatal aud flvo non fatal accidents in that dis trict for the month of November. Last year, for the same month, tbe casualty list was very large In Mr. Brennan s territory. Special For This Week Only, Our 40-cent chocolates for 30 cents per pound. They aro delicious. At M. L. Kcmmerer & Co.'s. 12-4-lBt Mine Acclileuts, Peter Frank, of town, employed at tho Wiggan's colliery, bad his right thumb mashed iu a fan yesterday afternoon. Dr, Stein found it uece&sary to amputate tho top part ot the thumb. Dr Stein yesterday dressed the injuries of George Burbanewicz, who had tbe ring and middle finger of his left hand mashed while at work at est Sbenaudoah colliery. Closing Out Millinery Kale. All kinds of trimmings; trimmed bats for ladies and children at cost price. Also, a new wall case and twenty-four fancy bat stands will go at a bargain. An excellent opportunity and a good bargain. Hoffman's Milliner), 110 North Main street, Sbenan doab, Pa. ll-S0-2wk A Promotion. John J, Evan, sou of Patrick Evan, of Mahanoy City, lias been promoted First Lieutenant of tho U. b. A. signal corpi at Porto Kioo. Christmas Reminder. See Orkln's stock of jewelry first. Kext door to Mammoth Clothing Ho'ise. tf FUKK I.UNCltr.S TO-NIOUT, BICKEET'e. Special lunch to-night. Sour krout, pork and mashed potatoe to-morrow morolug. UENTZ'8. Extra fine lunch to-night. Vegetable, soup to-morrow morning. CHAS. BADZIEWICZ'S. Pea soup will be served, free, to all patrons to-nlgbt. WEEKS.' Hot taniales, free, to-night. pooler's. Vegetable soup to-night. MAX. LEV T S 38C Will buy heavy fleeced lined underwear in all colore. Shirt or drawers. $1.00 Will buy a nice shirt or drawers in the beat' of camel's hair goods. MEDICATED RED FLANNELS. NATURAL WOOL. AUSTRALIAN WHITE WOOL. Getit'a half hose, all kinds, at lowest prices. Our hats and neckwear are inter esting for every buyer. Remember we sell the rrenuine Stetson hat. MAX LEVIT UP-TO-DATE HATTER. CORNER MAIN AND CENTRE STREETS. !XXXXXXXXXXX New Ones -AT- Low Prices. WvWAV Children's Coats, latest Gretchen double box plete in back, slashed reveres, trimmed with four rows', pearl buttons, and white Hercules uraia, corded collar, J2.9B. ANOTHER Fancy mixed coods. full size collar, trimmed with two rows silk soutache anone fancy braid, two rows on cufis and collar, SI.98 only. Baby's Coats. White Cashmere fancy cape, embroideried cape, at White Cashmere Coat embroid eried puffed sleeves, circular collar, at SI 49. Fine Cashmere extra lone puffed sleeves, full size cape, trimmed with fancy ribbon and braid, three pearl buttons, four tucks and fancy braid around skirt and lined, $2-37. Long Bedford cord cloak trimmed with silk braid on yoke and satin ril)bon on collar, $2.37. Child's Reefers in fancy boucle, all colors, inlaid cloth, cream aud black soutache to match, bound seems. In ladies' and misses' we have a good line of Golfs, Plush Capes, 549u, and better. VWrVrVvVrVvVVW TheHub." NEW Linoleums, Oil Cloths and window shades. Best assort ment in town. Remnants of Car. CARPETS pits and Oil Cloths cheap. FRICKFS CARPET STORE, i0 South Jardm Street. FOR SALE! HEAD HORSES 5 All good workers and drivers. THE HUB 8 x Magargle's, 26 EAST CENTRE STREET V.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers