The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1913-02-28
WASH|AG7ON NEWS
EXCHANGE LETTER

Washington D. c. Feb. 20, 1913
President Taft has heda series O
spe,ial Cabinet meetings over tht
Me>ican situation; and it is
announced that the administration
believes in having troops ready fol
an emergency in case Congress
decides that hostile invasion OF
Mexico is necessary. But the
President is determined that no such
step shall be taken unless absolutely
necessary. Appropriate services If
memory Of those who lost Their
lives fifteen years ago by the
destruction OF the Maine were held
last week in Arlington Cemetary,
over the graves Of those buried there,
1t now seems that the getting to-
gether process Of the Republican
party will not be from the top, but
he from the bottom. Not the leaders,
ut the rank and file will be the
agents to work the cementlng OF the
party organization.
A dinner in honor of Uncle Joe
Cannon, retiring Speaker OF the
House, was one Of the greatest
politco-social functions of the season.
From far and near politicians, who
have served or fought him, gathered
to do him honor, and fairly buried
him under an avalanche Of praise,
congratulations and farewell bless
ings. President Taft was present
and made an address. The Chief
Justice of the United States also
made a short speech and, by doing
so, broke an age-old custom observed
by former Chief justice of not
speaking at political gatherings.
The address of president Taft in
the Senate last Saturday, in memery
of the late Vice-President, James S.
Sherman, marks the first time a
President has spoken in that chamber
since the days of Washington.
A record of trust busting" has
been established by Attorney
General Wickersham who, following
his notable victories in the bathtub
and cotton corner cases, has just
filed four more antitrust suits. He
has filed, during his four years
service 81 suits against trusts;
nineteen more than all his prede-
cessors together.
President-ele ct Wilson's new book
on the New Freedom" has just
made its appearance on the news
stands. In it he scathingly arralgns
big business, severely critlclses the
principles of the Roosevelt party,
and reiterates his intention of pruning
the tariff; but scouts the idea that
he is for free trade. The womens
Democratic Study Club, composed
of forty or fifty fair politicians and
wives of prominent statesmen, VIII
study Mr.. Wilson's great book The
State" during the next month.
At the close of one of the most
successful automobile shows ever
held in Washington, the agent OF a
leading manufacturer declared that,
if the industry is to succeed, manu-
faoturers must seek to "sell salts
faction" instead of trying to make
big profits by constantly changing
tbs style of machines.
According to DR.. Kebler, United
States drug expert, more than loo,
600 ounces of cocaine are annually
consumed in this country, over ten
times the amount actually needed
for medicinal purposes. The drug
habit, he says, is no respeoter OF
persons, ard is to-day one OF the
greatest perils this country faces.
With the many dinners and enter
tainments being given daily in honor
Of Mr.. Taft and other outgoing
officials, social washington is sfully
awake, and the season, which had
a fitful beginning, Promises 10
eclipse all previous dinner giving
records. The arrival of Lent has
MADE no appreciable difference IN
tie social world, although the events
are ouieter and less formal than