The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-10-04
COMMENTS ON MEN AND
 MATTERS OF THE WORLD

that are considered to be the best yet written.
 Booker T. Washington is now in Paris where he is having a hard time to dodge irrespressible French reporters who are eager to interview him on the race gues- ton and the progress made by his people in America. The Alabama educator very wisely refrans from being quoted and Is evidently not after donations. After l life of strenuous toil by which he raised himself up to be leader of his race Wash ington no doubt feels that he Is entitled to enjoy a tour of Europe without being wor- ried about business affairs. It is safe to say that he will not be troubled by distinctions of color in the old world un- less perchance he happens to meet with a party of Americans. Foreign countries are much more lenient in this respect than we and have no conception of the prejudice against a man because his skin is of a darker shade. In England this is largely a result of the numerous colo nial dignitaries who visit London from India and South Africa.
 The soldiers at Camp Young seem to have a hard tune in getting down to war. Their maneuvers do not seem to attract the general interest which was aroused over the naval attack off the Maine coast, probably because movements of troops are seldom so spectacular as are those of great war ships. However we have not given our soldiers time and they may yet pull off some very warm theoretical enga gements of the sham battle .rder. The training thus received is proving of vast benefit both to our sailors and our soldiers. When there is no actual warfare to keep them in fighting trim the next best thing is sham warfare. Although the realty would be surprisingly differ ent in some respects the men get a fair idea of what they would be expected to do un- der fire. So far our cavalry has made good impression on foreign attaches, and that is one point in cur favor.
 The Salvation army has recently been carrying on a red crusade" against drunkards on the Bowery, and has been remarkably successful. During the four days that have elapsed since the be- ginning of the crusade eighty converts have been made and the majority of these were men reclaimed from the gutter. AL though some of the Salvation army methods do not meet the approval ef ministers, it cannot be denied that they are accomplishing a great good for this country. The appeal of the Salvation tacc hxy bttc ness men, and people about town con- tribute with a surprising liberality. If fr were not for the support of downtown toilers the Salvation army would have a hard time in prosecuting it's work suc- cessfully. No task is too hard for them to undertake, and they have accomplished wonderful results in many cases where pulpit preachers predicted certain fail- ure. The class of people reached by the Salvation army are those who are be- yond the pale of churches and average charity would never be able to find them in their squalor
 curious ruling has recently been made by Third Assistant Postmaster Gen. eral Madden, who states that in his opin- ion the ashes of a human body may be transported through the United States mail at first-class rates for merchandise. provided the package is sealed air tight and violates no sanitary regulations. The practice has been frequent and the mat ter has not before come up for consider alton, first-class rates being always paid by senders. For the benefit of those who contemplate mailing the mortal remains of friend or relative the department an- nounces that the rate is l cent for each four ounces to all points Tn the states and territories. There seems to be some- thing saerilegious in this matter of fact way of treating the ashes of the depart ed, and many people would feel natural repugnance to entrusting them to the care of postage stamps. P. c.