The Washington herald., 1911-11-28
TAFT'S BURDENS
GROW HEAVIER
"Mongoose" Menaces Amer
lean Horticulture.

In addition to the question of inter-
national peace, tariff legislation, the
Mexican situation, and the many other
important problems confronting him,
President Taft has had put up to him
squarely the question of preventing an
invasion by the ''mongoose."
The President mas received a letter
from H. r. Walmsley, secretary Of the
Kansas City Geological Society, advis-
ing him that a mongoose was being
exhibited in Kansas City under condi-
tions $pf insecurity, and that 1t might
escape at any time, Ito the great dan
ger of the American horticultural in
terests." The writer quoted section
241 of the criminal code of the United
States, prohibiting the importation into
the United States Of the mongoose. The
writer then adds:
History of One MonKoose.
Some months ago 1 discovered a mon
goose on exhibition in a dry goods store
in this city. At my request the deputy
state game warden seized the animal and
held the same subject to the instructions
of DR.. D. s. Palmer, of the Biological
Survey, United States Department of
Agriculture. DR.. Palmer ordered the
same turned over 70 the collector of the
port Of this city, who held the animal un-
til the arrival of a special agent OF the
Treasury Department. This special agent
upon arrival in Kansas City made a pres
ent of the animal to private citizens COM
posing the Kansas City park board. The
park obard placed the animalo on exhibi-
ton in the Kansas City geological Gar
den, where ii now rests In a little cage
with insecure fastenings and it liable to
regain its liberty at any time"
President Taft sent the letter to Secre-
tary MacVeagh, who is giving that care
full deliberation to the subject which its
gravity warrants.
EdIson's Speech Saver"
Thomas A Edison, the veteran inven-
tor. unfolded before President Taft yes
terday a plan for campaigning without
travelling by which Mr.. Taft might be
seen and heard, not by 100000, but by
100000 or more of the nations voters
without absenting himself for day
from business at the White House. 1t is
the newest invention OF Mr.. Edison; the
talking motion picture machine.
All that would be necessary, Mr.. Edi-
son explained to the President, would be
for a man to go before an audience, make
4 speech, and the talking motion picture
machine would reproduce to audiences
speaker, every word of his speech, and
every shout of the crowd about him.
On his recent trip Mr.. Taft appeared
in 215 cities and towns by arrangement
and spoke from the platform of his car
in perhaps 100 small places. His secre-
tary estimated that he had seen 100000
people. This took up fifty-eight days Of
the Presidents precious time, and be-
sides, put a strain on hi mthat brought
him down with a cold which kept him
out of the executive offices for four days
more.
The first section Of President Taft's
message went to the printer yesterday.
second section, II is expected, will go
down to the printing office to-day, and
the rest will be showed in as fast as 1t
can 'be ground out at the White House
mill.
President Taft has finally consented to
attend the citizens peace dinner to be
given in New Lork on December 30. Sec
retary of State Knox will also speak at
the edinner.
President Taft has appointed Lieut..
John w. Timmons. n. S. N, TO be naval
aid at the White House, succeeding Lieut..
Commander Leigh c. Palmer, who has
been chosen by Secretary of the Navy
Meyer 10 be his personal aid. Lieut..
Timmons was chosen by the President
upon recommendation OF Ihe navy De-
partment where he has an excellent
record. He is now stationed in the Bu-
reau of Ordnance. Lieut.. Timmons is
son-in-law of former Vice President Fair
banks.
An invitations was accepted by the
President yesterday to attend the annual
dinner of the Aero Club of America in
New York on January q. The invita-
ton was extended by Gen. Nelson A.
Miles, Maj. Samuel Reber, and Henry
A w Wood