The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-31


 across the water that can compete with our American craft. The races so far held came very near being a fiasco so far as the element of chance was concerned. and the effective manner in which the skipper of the Reliance outgeneraled captain Wringe was deplorable for the hopeful chalengers. Even had the Sham rock not been under the disadvantage of two serious handicaps it is hardly prob able that she would have made better showing against the fleet defender. The matches have given conclusive proof of the superiority of the sailors on the Re- lance over those who manned the Sham rock. It is hinted that Captain Wringe stands in open disfavor with the owners of the Shamrock, but whether this is true or not. he certainly has no reason to feel particularly elated over his per- formances.
 President Roosevelt and his family will return to the White House September 26 provided nothing occurs to interfere with their present arrangements Dur ing the absence of the executive from Washington several minor changes have been made at the White House which have called forth much useless discus sion and excited cries of "desecration." 'spoliation," "disfigurement," and simi- lar charges, all of which amounted to nothing, and had no more effect than if they had never been uttered The so- journ at Oyster Bay has been a very pleasant vacation for the Roosevelts. AL though a corps of clerks there carries along the business of the nation uninter- ruptedly sufficient time was found for recreation and healthful pleasure that have greatly benefited the President, as we'll as every member of his family. As a rule the volume of business has not been so heavy as would have been the case had the executive remained in Washington. MT. Roosevelt has had as much rest as a man could expect while holding his responsible office and he will return to Washington prepared to be more strenuous than ever
 After General Miles much-lauded feat of horsemanship on the arid western plains 1t was little to be expected that he would come out and announce himself as in favor of adopting the automobile and the bicycle for use in the United States army. In a report to Secretary Root made a short time before his retirement the general offered some suggestions for re- modelling the army and stated that owing to the development of motor vehicles and electrical appliances it was his opinion that the usefulness of the horse was far less than in the old days when he was mans sole dependence. We had never be- fore suspected 1t, but perhaps the sturdy old veteran got enough of his long ride and came to the conclusion that he would not care to repeat the trip. For our lux urious officers the motor would be a fine thing. but for a courageous Indian fighter it seems sadly out of place. No doubt an army of automobiles would have a fearsome appearance, although it would be sadly lacking in the picturesqueness which attends present army manan- vers. when the soldiers are marching on their fiery steeds.
 Many anecdotes are going the rounds
 
 May, whose delineations of cockney life have made thousands laugh. These stor- ies of the departed great are always interesting, and the notabes are obliging enough to die with that del4ee of reg ularity which will permit the papers to keep well supplied with material. Whist leriana is now diminishing, but the space heretofore devoted to the eccentric artist is being filled by anecdotes of Phil May. Of the two men the cartoonist is by far the most interesting character His joy ous Bohemian life and his cheery dispo- sition give us more entertaining subjects than the eccentricities of the hairbralned artist The conclusion has been reached by wise men that the anecdote properly used is a good thing and should be cul- tvated but it cannot be denied that the space writers frequently abuse their priv ileges and great men are made to figure in fictitious adventures that would no doubt surprise them if they could return to earth and peruse the daily papers
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