The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-09-20
COMMENTS ON MEN AND
 MATTERS OF THE WORLD

disagreeing with the fiscal policy of Sec retary Chamberlain. was given wide pub licity Circulars were printed by the llb- eral agents and thousands were distri- buted as a powerful aid to the campaign of Sir Harry Johnston. The dean pro- nouneed the letter a "disgraceful for gery." The zeal which some people dis play to rush into print affords much amusement to editors and if these aspir- ants for publicity were aware how per fectly their little arts are understood by the men whom they suppose they are hoodwinking, they would not be so per- severing in their efforts.
 The nigh speed tests continue unahated. From Germany comes the announcement that the highest rate of speed ever yet attained was made in a run over the zossen military road at Berlin. A rate of 106 4-5 miles an hour was accomplish ed in an electric car and the engineers in charge of the experiments hope to reach 125 miles an hour. Now and then we are treated to new version of the mono-rail story and the marvellous speed
 
 methods of travelling by rail. The mono- rail has many features to recommend it to the public, but It's practical utility Is yet to be demonstrated. Granted that the necessary speed can be attained, there are many other questions of comfort and equipment that must be taken into con sideration when it is desired to compete all dxy in operation. The mono-rail seems to have been relegated to the scientific attic, but high speed electric cars are an entirely different matter. With one hundred pound rails and carefully prepared road bed 1t may be possible to attain remark able speed without difficulty. When the electric motor comes into general use on our railroads we may expect to see some l radical developments in fast travelng. This would seem to be the next field for electricity to invade and it is only a question of time until steam will be 1 permanently supplanted. In the mean time we continue to admire the splendid flyers that are now capable of making seventy-fve miles an hour.
 Uncle Sam's wards in the Philippines intend to play an important part at the approaching St Louis fair. The collec- tor of customs at San Francisco is in receipt of the information that an ex- tensive exhibit of the resources and in- habitants is contemplated. It is probable that more than 12.O00 people and ten thousand tons of miscellaneous freight will be brought over to give Americans an idle of the people who have occupied their attention since the end of the war with Spain. Most of the products will be brought over in army transports. No doubt the Philippine village will be one of the most interesting features of the fair. Every one is interested in the islands and Is anxious to learn something about their resources. Most persons believe that the Philippines have very few re- deeming qualities and there will be much surprise when we find out just what kind of a country we have annexed. Of course the exhibit this time will be far more complete than any previous attempt, both on account of the fact that the islands now belong to this country and the in- terest that has been attracted to them since the American occupation.
 Trouble for Dr. Wiley's poison squad" during the approaching winter has al- ready been mapped out The effects of salicylic acid will be tested and the gov ernments boarding house will be opened about October l. There will be fifteen vol unteers and that past dieting has not proved fatal is evidenced by the fact that several of last years boarders have of- fered themselves as subjects for the next experiments The results of the previous food tests have not yet been made public but will, no doubt prove very interesting reading. There are few people who would care to board with pr. Wiley when his table fare is considered, but 1t takes all Kinds of people to make a world and there are many poor fellows glad enough for chance to be supplied with food at no personal expense. P. C.