The National tribune., 1911-02-23


Mr.. Macon's speech, which lasted one
hour and 40 minutes. he characterized
the editors of two New York papers as
.'unblushing, know-an titbits" and
''pea-eyed, pinheaded infinitesmals."
Gov. William F. Clark, of Alaska, in
mis- annual report to the Secretary of
the Interior declares that the ill-ad-
vised policy of forbidding all develop
ment of the large coal resources of
Alaska making the embarkation of pri-
vate capital impossible, is great draw
back to the Territory. He declares that
coal is needed for the industries of the
Territory as well as for the physical
comfort of the people, and that on no
account should it be withheld from this
use. The present ;mpossibility of min
ing coal, either under title or lease,
Gov. Clark says, is responsible for the
suspension of one of the principal rail-
roads, and he declares that 1t is paralyz-
ing the Territory.
Speaker Cannon laid aside his ubiqui-
tous cigar the other day for a Missouri
meerschaum." Now, Missouri meer-
schaum is simply q cOrncob pipe, and
there is a gigantic factory for the man
ufacture of the same down Joplin way
The corncob pipe was present to your
Uncle Joseph from Speaker-apparent
Champ Clark, of Missouri More or less
comment was excited among his col
leagues by the sight of the Speaker
smoking a pipe, and he removed the
Missouri meerschaum long enough to
remark that until he was 80 years old
he had never smoked anything but
pipe. and then he took up the cigar
habit He declared that the corncob
pipe did not taste as good to him as the
old clay that he used to smoke in his
earlier days.
The National Red Cross Society is
taking steps to alleviate the sufferings
of the famine victims in China, where
it is said that 100000 are going to die
unless succor Is sent to them. At a
meeting held in Washington on Friday
it was decided to make a call for pro-
visions. Miss Mabel Boardman states
that the Red Cross particularly desires
-four and rice, as they are the most
nourishing and non-perishable foods.
but that the Red Cross will also be glad
to have any kind of nourishing and nom
perishable foods such as will last thru
the long journey to China. She also
states that money will be received just
as thankfully. The transport will make
q trip from Seattle to Chinkin, starting
the latter part of February. 1t is asked
1t should be sent there in care of the
National Red Cross Society. Names
are not necessary. 1t will be taken care
Of there until the sailing of the ship.
Washington people of the long ago,
not many of whom are now in Congress
were delighted to shake hands last week
with Gen. L. c. Catchings, OF Vicksburg,
Miss, who was a member of Congress
some 16 years ago, and who has not
been in the National Capital for a pc
riod of i've years. Gen. Catchings. a
very quiet and conservative Democrat
of the old school, was power in the
National House OF Representatives,
whose like has not been seen from Mis-
sissippi since. He says he has no poll
teal aspirations at all. and that when
ne left Congress, of his own will. by the
way, he left it and politics for good,
aItho he says his interest in the party
will always last Gen. 'Catchings was in
the Confederate army. and there served
with him another Confederate officer,
Gen. Charles z. Hooker, who lost an
arm in the war of the rebellion fight
ing against the Union. Gen. Hooker
was one Of the most picturesque and at
that time most brilliant members the
House ever had. Altho splendid sol
der in wrong cause. he was man
of the most polished manners, genial
and gentle, and highly priced in society
because he knew Just exactly the right
thing to say, and was particularly at
tcntiye to those women who had passed
their first youth and began to feel them
selves has beens." Gen. Catchings
states that Gen. Hooker is still living in
Jackson, Miss, now almost 30 years
old, but that he retains his wonderful
intellect in all its force. His once pow
erfuI. musical voice, however. is gone,
and he can only talk in a whisper
Last Wednesday, while the reciproci-
ty bin YVES under consideration. Speak
er Cannon left the chair and wandered
around the House like lost sheep. He
took 10 part whatever in the debate,
and everybody was all the time afraid
that he was going to. Representative
Ollie James. OF Kentucky, who would
make two of Speaker Cannon, and who
. is Democratic. was called to the
chair by the Speaker, and presided with
grace and dignity over a roll call, and
his announcement of the vote was re-
ceiyed with prolonged applause. The
reason of this is that Ollie James is the
! first Democrat who has been called to
| preside over the House :slce the Re-
! publicans gained control of it.
f. President Taft carried CONSERVATION
/ into the ranks of haZers by vetoing a
resolution which was passed by Con-
gress authorizing the reinstatement at
i West Point of nine cadets who had
| been dismissed for hazing. In his mes
sage Of disapproval President Taft says:
These cadets received a fair and inn
partial trial in accordance with law as
| il existed at the time of their trial and
were punished by dismissal. Their con-
nection with the Military Academy has
been entirely severed. and they now are
| in civil life. The Superintendent of the
Military Academy, the Chief of STAFF
! and the Secretary of War are OF the
| opinion that the enactment of this joint
| resolution would have a very injurious
effect upon the Military Academy, and
would tend to seriously demoraiizc the
| discipline there. In this opinion con-
cur"
Secretary of the Interior Baliinger
had q narrow escape one evening last
week when his auto collided with that
| of DIR. J. e. Boyd, of this city The two
vehicles were passing each other, and
| the distance was miscalculatea. What
| might have been very serious accident
WIS avoided. but there was a pretty
serious shaking up.
The North Carolina Legislature is
| trying to regulate the world Mai John
Secretary OF the Navy, has introduced
a petition asking the Legislature to eS-
| tabiisil permanent and economical fash
1 ions for men, women and children. His
| petition specified as a reason for the
! crying need of the legislation that fash
4 ions change every month or so, and as
| farmers have a wife and several chill
| dren TO keep fashionably dressed Il
Eeeps them I'm a high strain al the time