Monday, Jan. 06, 1930

No Fumar, No Beber

College boys frequently swear off smoking and drinking for indefinite periods, invent elaborate forfeits for backsliding. Generals of Armies, Presidents of Republics are seldom so ingenuous. Not so President of Mexico Emilio Fortes Gil and General Pedro J. Almada, Chief of Military Operations in the State of Puebla.

At a banquet tendered President Fortes Gil in Puebla City last August upon the conclusion of the last revolution, the Chief Executive, who has high plans for making Mexico temperate, scanned the liberal wine list, then suggested to General Almada that they both swear off tobacco and liquor, that the first to fumar (smoke) should pay the winner 100 silver pesos ($50), the first to beber (drink) should pay 200 silver pesos ($100). General Almada manfully agreed.

Last week the citizens of Puebla tendered General Almada another banquet. Thoughtful businessmen remembered the Almada pledge, took up a collection.

"General," said the smiling toastmaster. "we of Puebla know you for a buen muchacho, a good fellow Pray accept these 300 silver pesos and enjoy yourself this evening without undue expense."

"I thank you gentlemen," said loyal Almada, "but I cannot accept. Behold in me now a true convert to Prohibition."

Mexicans were gratified last week by the news from Washington that President-Elect Pascual Ortiz Rubio had been presented with a Doctor of Laws degree by George Washington University. After the ceremony conducted by Georgetown-President Cloyd H. Marvin, Senor Ortiz Rubio delivered in voluble if slightly uncertain English a few lofty sentiments; left on the morrow to inspect Niagara Falls.

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