The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-09-29
COMMENTS ON MEN AND
 MATTERS OF THE. WORLD

light, air and liberty that are denied thousands in the great city. Although flat dwellers will consider such a move a hardship at first the time will come when they will bless conditions that brought about pressure for dwelling space and compelled them to retreat into the su- burbs
 The Home Week" movement that has been developed during the past few years in different states of the country. notably New Hampshire, is also finding favor in the south. Extensive preparations are now being made to have reunion at Greensboro, N. C., of all Tarheels who have wandered away from their native heath, and committees are sending out circulars all over the land in an effort to recall the natives to a joyous reunion. This is pleasant custom and one produc- tive of much good for the locality where 1t Is observed. It keeps the people inter- ested in their native state and is the cause of pleasure to those who return to scnes of the past. There are many natives of North Carolina now resident in other parts of the country and "Old Home week promises 10 be remarkably success full. The various committees are working strenuously, at any rate, and the state government is assisting heartily in the movement. There will be great gather ing at Greensboro October F, the date that has been set aside as North Carolina day.
 Very few people know just what Is meant by the game of slkat but it is the standard amusement of our great Ger man population. Skat is played with an ordinary deck of cards but is one of the most difficult games ever devised. It is said that man can play life time and never become an adept On account of the mental gymnastics necessary to play successfully it is very popular among the deep-thinking Germans who delight in puzzlng their brains over it's nitric cies for hours at a time, with pipe in mouth and mug of beer at elbow. In cities of the United States where there is a large German population skat is well known, by name and tournaments are frequently held among the most skill ful players. But the game Is too deep for the average American to cudgel his brains over, and Germans are permitted to enjoy their national game in undis- turbed serenity.
 Although the situation at Beirut may be considered quiet, there is no possinil- ity that the American squadron will be
 
 ture While there are no serious out breaks, Minister Leishman cables that nothing like permanent order has been established. The state of affairs may yet be considered uncertain and the pres ence of our ships is necessary. Although President Roosevelt has been ridiculed for his over-zealous haste in sending Ad- miral Cotton to eastern waters, there is no doubt that his presence has had a most salutary effect and the promptness of our executive at least proved to other powers that we will stand no nonsense when the lives of our representatives is at stake. From present indications the investigation into the attack made on vice-Counsul Magelssen will produce It, tie results.
 William J. Moxley, the "Butterine King" is suing the Internal Revenue commis- sion to recover $35,000 which he was con- pelled to pay for the alleged use of arti- ficial coloring matter in oleomargerine. The manufacturer contends that palm oil was the ingredient used and therefore the coloring matter was not artificial. The suit is uninteresting compared to the im- portant part played by oleomargarine in our daily lives. This food product is now so universally used that some people do not know the difference. especially aIhong poorer classes where butterine has entire. ly supplanted butter. After all. artificial butter is frequently more healthful than the real article. It is carefully prepared, is clean, and is generally conceded by the medical profession to contain nothing harmful In fact some practitioners re- commend 1t instead of butter as an article of diet. P. c.