The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-06-26
CHARLES NORTON
HAS MADE GOOD"
As Secretary to the President
of United States
TALKS WITH REPORTERS
ArricuIt-raI Department Warns Pub
lie Against Buying Certain
Brand OF Macaroni That Is
Made Win Eggs
BY SIDNEY EsPEY

Made Win Eggs
BY SIDNEY ESPEY
Washington, June Is Especially :
Charles d. Norton, secretary to Presi'
dent Taft. has made good This is
the verdict OF official Washington. II
is a verdict that Is unanimously endorsed
by the White House newspaper men who
first were of the opinion that Mr.. Norton
would be as close and secretiye as his
predecessor secretative Carpenter.
The day Mr.. Norton forsook his BERTH
as assistant secretary in the treasury de-
partment and became the right hand man
of President Taft, he invited the White
House newspaper men to have talk
with him. I'm green on newspaper
men and their ways" he began, but
I know that the success of my job de-
ponds upon amieable relations with
everyone. relations that I hope will grow
confidential with the newspaper repre-
sentatives. l believe that what trans
pires at the White House, generally
speaking. is public news and belongs to
the press and to the country.
But" he added. there is only one re-
quest that I am going to make. That
is. keep my name out of the paper.
do not want notoriety myself. Use what
I give you, but please do not say that
the secretary to the President. or Secre-
tery Norton today gave out You will
find that I will develop to the needs of
this office If you Will give me the chance
and help me along.
You know I am little bashful about
how to get along with you newspaper
men," he said, and just then a reporter
Interrupted with. Mr. Secretary. I un-
derstand that you were a successful life
insurance man. Any man who has sue
cessfully sold life insurance surely knows
the necessary line OF talk to make Il
first class deseminator of news in a
marvelously short time
The reparters prediction has come
true.
A howl of protest is going up from the
legal men who devote their attention
to the practice of custom laws. They are
kicking at the action of the government
in locating the new custom court in this
city instead of New York city.
Ninety per cent OF all the cases the
court will hear. 1t is said. emanate from
the board of customs appeals and the
finding OF the appraisers in New York
city Attached to the office Of the United
States district attorneys in New York
city and Brooklyn are seven lawyers
who devote all af their time to represent
ing the government in contests before the
New York city general customs board.
These same lawyers will have to follow
their cases through the custom court.
and It Is said. that having to travel from
New York to washington frequently will
seriously interfere with the dispatch of
business Then again 1t will tend 10
make the army of New York custom law
yers ecquire the sleeping car habit.
travelling from New York to Washing
ton to attend sessions of the new court.
The AGRICULTURAL department, always
jealous in guarding the people against
impure foods and deceptions, especially
through false labelling. is hard and fast
after the manufacturers of certain
brand of italian macaroni. This brand
bears the picture of a rooster, proudly
Growing fromtthe summit of Mount Vesu-
yius. The department after a chemical
analysis of the macaroni, finds that It
is pure and up to the standard but seri-
ously reports that the rooster on the
label might possibly prompt prospective
buyers to purchase the macaroni through
the mental impression that the macaroni
had been made with eggs.
The state department will not discuss
the charges made before the House rules
committee by Mey AN anti-Diaz propa-
gandists that the Mexican president is
able to enlist the lid of the federal Of
fcers and employees Of the United
States In prosecuting his political antag-
onfsts who seek refuge in this country.
Representative Wilson of Pennsylva-
MIA. some time ago introduced a resolu-
ton calling for the appointment of a
committee Of Congress to investigate the
charges The House rules committee, TO
which the resolution was referred, has
been thrashing out the evidence.
Charges SO far heard place the COM
rnittee in an embarrassing position since
any investigation would ultimately moan
a probe into the secret agencies of the
Mexican government This might prove
according to a state department official
the basis OF a diplomatic incident which
might disrupt the friendly relations that
have long existed between this country
and Mexico.
Evidence has been heard tending to
show that President Diaz has influenced
even bribed United States marshals, col
lectors Of customs. forest rangers and
city police to assist him and his secret
service to run down refugees. 1t was
also charged that on one occasion al
least. United States troops were lined W
along the Mexican border to drive back
political fugitives. although the treaty
stipulations with Mexico grant entry
without passports to Mexicans.
Doubt is expressed at the state depart
ment as to the right OF this government
to interfere with the operations of Q
secret service maintained hero by Mexico
The matter IL embarrassing, since the
refugees bitterly denounce Diaz as the
murderer of at least 1000 OF his coun-
trymen. whose views did not coincide
with those of his administration.
Another important matter Of reform ha'
tnken place in the treasury department
The heavy steel wagon. drawn by three
ponderous horses that carried the none,
from the bureau of engraving and print
ing to the treasury vaults is now one Of
the attractions for the sight-eeers. fol
II is guarded by eight uniformed police
men. two riding with the driver. foul
In the rear. and a mounted man bringing
lid the rear. AS an advance guard there
IL uniformed officer riding in a ligh
buggy.
For years the heavy travelling safe
has passed along the streets Of Washing
ton without attracting attention. Fou
or five rudely dressed men usually rid.
on the back step.
at looks as If this change is an In
vitation for some one to rob the wagon.
DoIicapooo today ssIf cure