The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-30
COMMENTS ON MEN AND
 MATTERS OF THE WORLD

After a deal of discussion pro and con, William Pickens, a young Alabama nes gro, has been initiated into the Phi Betta Kappa fraternity at Yale. Pickens is the only colored man who belongs to this ex- elusive organization. although Booker Washington is an honorary member No complaint could be made against Pick ems qualifications for membership save that he was negro. He stood seventh in his class, and is one of Yales honor men. For time 1t was rumored that the color line would effectually keep him out. but Pickens is now one of the elect after having ridden the goat in good form
 Already the republican campaign man. agers are being stormed by T army of poets, song writers and prose writers who thirst to lend their literary assistance to electing the republican ticket, provided there is pecuniary consideration forth coming. Thus far genius has not been conspicuous among these aspirants. and they have been given cold comfort Secre- tary Cortelyou is looking forward to soma parlous times about August 5, the date on which the writers have been request ed to call again. The chances are that ths country will be flooded with campaign literature this year as never before. but whether quality or quantity Is to pre- dominate is a question for the future to decide.
 The value of a snore in church has just been assessed at $5.50 by Pennsylvania justice who forced a dame to pay the costs of an assault and battery suit which she instituted against two ushers whd awoxe her when her snores had become pronounced enough to disturb the congre- gation of the church where she was sup- posed to be worshipping. Now as matter of fact snoring is a public nuisance and there are many people who cherish the belief that the person guilty of such practice should be held amenable to the law. While the snorer is himself unfor- tunate the man who really suffers is he who does not snore but tries night after night to sleep with snorer. If humanity would make up it's mind to sleep on ons side with mouth closed snoring might go out of fashion. However, snorers arc to be pitied when they go ta church for they CdiHOl Slttp tHO ociihOA without betraying their remissness to everyone present.
 Correspondence schools for short story writers mark the latest step in modern and progressive literature No doubt those great men of another day who toiled for years over their precious manu- script while subsisting on a crumb and lodging bill collectors whenever possible are inclined to turn over in their graves at this innovation which promises td take young man from behind the ribs bon counter and put him on the road to fame and fortune as short story writer in few weeks. While there is no denying the fact that this is the aga of the short story writer it cannot be denied that there are also more people now trying 10 write short stories who do not know the first principles of the art than ever before. Hawthorne had the right idea about learning to writa short stories but who among the aspiring youths and maidens of today would be content to burn the fruits of weary years of toll until proficiency is reacnedl
 PC.