Inside Washington

Republicans may talk about political reform, but behind the scenes last week it was business as usual for the G.O.P. The day after Newt Gingrich took over as Speaker of the House, top fund raisers, working phones on Capitol Hill, attracted $5 million in pledges for a February gala -- a remarkable total for a party not in control of the White House. Businesses are snapping up the $15,000 tables at the gala, organized by cosmetics mogul GEORGETTE MOSBACHER. "Newt's got a message," says a fund raiser, "that corporate America loves."