Jasper County Democrat, Volume 10, Number 10, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 June 1907 — WASHINGTON LETTER. [ARTICLE]

WASHINGTON LETTER.

Political and General Goaaip of the National Capital. Social Correspondence to The Democrat f Col. Bryan baa set at rest so far as be is concerned tbe rumor, always regarded as senseless in the realm of practical politics, of any coalition between tbe two great parties. His announcement has been received with considerable satisfaction in Washington because while there was never much stock taken in tbe story that Bryan was at the last moment go* ing to throw his influence to Roosevelt, there was enough possibility in the unoontradicted rumor to make a basis for talk. Mr. Bryan says that while he admires President Roosvelt, and while the President has adopted some Democratic policies and made the best use he could of them, he has never carried any of these policies as far as they needed to be carried, or as far as the Democratic party would have carried them had it had a chance. Mr. Bryan says he does not even want to influence the Democratic party in the choice of a nominee for tbe presidency, but that whether he did or not, all talk of the party endorsing President Roosevelt is the merest nonsense.

t,t t Steps have, been taken by the government to lessen the profitable industry of smuggling on the Mexican border. This has been a problem with the government for many years. The industry flourished before tbe removal of the “free zone” between the two countries and since that zone has been abolished has been easier and more profitable than ever. It is not likely that there will ever be any safeguard against this cheating of the customs, for there is over 600 miles of border exclusive of the Rio Grande section where there is nothing but a stone monument every 300 yards to tell Mexican from American soil. It is of course impossible to patrol this vast expanse and not only are goods constantly smuggled across, but many immigrants as well who have found it impossible to pass tbe immigration inspectors. Now tbe government has declared a neutral strip along the border where federal officers are supreme in the discharge of their duty and are unhampered by state or territorial regulations. This will aid in making the work of the smuggler a little more venturesome, but so far as putting the law on them is concerned, their prosecution will still remain in the category of the receipt for cooking a rabbit —first catch your rabbit.

The Navy Department has been experimenting quietly with a new torpedo that, if it is the success its designer claims it to be, will solve the long discussed problem of utilizing gasoline gas as a motive power without exploding it in an internal combustion engine. As most people know, the economical and effective little gasoline engine that has solved the automobile problem and is furnishing the power for so many thousands of farmers all over the country, works by mixing gasoline vapor and air in the cylinder of the engine and then firing it by an electric spark. This takes the place of steam in an ordinary engine, but there are certain disadvantages in it chiefly that it has to be run at a high and constant speed to develop its full efficiency and that for slower speeds gears have to be introduced.

The new torpedo uses gasoline ss a motive power, but by a clever combination with water in the jacket of the engine, it converts the gasoline vapor into what is practically steam and feeds it directly to the cylinder of the engine without the aid either of fire or a spark plug, which as all gasoline engine users know, is one of the most detestible of human devices. The new torpedo is a remarkable engine of war if all that is claimed of it is true. It runs at a speed of over 60 miles an hour and is effective at a range of over two miles. It is under perfect control and stands a very small chance of missing the warship at which it is aimed, But the chief interest for the general public lies in the claim of the makers that the problem of using gasoline vapor direct has been solved. If this is so, it means a revolution in small power engines for farm use. t t t z A young woman of Middletowb, New York, Miss Guinan, has just been awarded a medal for heroism and with the distinction of having it presented with a letter from President Roosevelt. She saved the life of Mr. Rynon. He was over seventy years old, and very feeble when be attempted to cross the tracks in front of an approaching train, i not observing that a

train was also rapidly approaching on the other track from the opposite direction, He reached the central space between the two tracks before observing that the trains were approaching from both directions, and became greatly bewildered at his apparent inability to go forward or back without danger, of being run down. Mies Guinan, who was standing at the crossing, observed his perilious Sredioament and rushed to his aid. Pot having time to push him off the tracks, she seized hold of him and held him firmly between the two trains as they rushed by. For several moments the two were in this perilous position, a train rushing by at a high rate of speed On each* side of them. When tbe east bound train had passed they got to tbe sidewalk, the old gentleman being nearly unconscious from fright, Miss Guinan was apparently undisturbed by her experience. A measurement taken subsequently showed that there was but thirty-six inches of space in which to stand between the swaying trains. t + t

Probably many people do not know what the American Medal of Honor Society is. But the fact remains that it has jits headquarters in Washington and that it has just been the recipient of a signal mark of consideration from the Emperor of Germany. The organization is made up of those who have received the medal awarded by the government for saving life at sea. This is an old institution and numbers a good many members. Most of them belong to the society, and there are a number of bonory members. Among them the President, King Leopold of Belgium, and Andrew Carnegie. The Kaiser has recently been elected an honorary member and he has not only accepted but has sent tbe society his portrait handsomely framed with the royal autograph attained.