The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-03-29
COMMENTS ON MEN AND
MATTERS OF THE WORLD

T is refreshing to hear of one min
lister of the gospel who tramples
! upon hidebound views in defense of
the theatre The Rev. Joseph A. Mil
burn, pastor of the Plymouth Congrega-
tional church of Chicago, declares that
the stage is greater moral power than
the pulpit Very properly. he believes
tnat the problem play is "a thing Of IN
finite disgust" while the sneurotlc play
is a thing Of hysteria." Otherwise the
latent possibilities for good in the drama
are very great. This preacher also holds
that the theatre is a reflection of our
selves and whatever may be its defects.
we alone are responsible This is logic
that is proved by the attitude of the
theatrical syndicate known as the trust"
Managers satisfy the public demand and
II the quality of entertainment wanted
is not higher it is the fault of the pub
lie. Even the trust would not dare to
foist plays on the people .that were con-
trary to the popular taste. Broader and
more liberal views regarding the stage
are coming into vogue but there are
SeiAA bAiOdshlAho Ol BOOu ptuplc III lllS
country who look upon theatre witk
fear and adherence.
After all, penny dreadful literature is
rot alone in its power to enthralI youth
full minds. The visit of Col. Seth Bullock
and his cowboys to the east is already
be ring fruit. Youngsters were captivated
by the plainsmen and their leader to
a surprising extent and great admiration
was awakened. Although no hegira of
boy 'tenderfeet" toward the Rockies
Is threatened, at least two cases have
been reported, where youths left good
homes to seek adventure In the boundless
west and follow in the footsteps of
Col. Bullock.
1t is gratifying to know that Secretary
Hays health is reported much improved
by his trip to Mediterranean waters.
John Hay ranks among the country's
greatest diplomats and not the least
of his achievements is his poetry, which
would have preserved his memory even
II he had never been made Secretary of
State.
A philosopher has wisely said that
there is an exception for every rule. The
astonishing case of an actress being held
ur and robbed of s.. 40 has Just been re-
ported. People have been robbed before
but the idea of an actress being relieved
OF plebeian sum in a commonplace
manner is almost beyond the bounds of
belief. She didn't mention her diamonds.
An Indiana woman has filed suit for
divorce and alleges that her husband
hitched her to plough in the fields, com.
pelling her to do the work of a beast
of burden. This example should afford
lots of consolation to wives who cry all
morning because hubby does not seem TO
like the mullins
Father Bell of Santa Clara college, Cal
ifornia, announces that the problem of
aerial navigation has again been solved.
and that the credit for this discovery
should go to his assistant, Professor John
Montgomery. The latest solution is an
aeroplane, and is claimed to be wonder
for scudding about in the filmy blue. The
only Objectionable feature is that 1t
has to be carried by an ordinary balloon
to certain height before 1t can begin
to fly on its own account. After the
aeroplane has been separated from the
balloon, however, it executes some sur
prising Stunts No public exhibitions
have yet been made. but these are prom
ised at an early date. II Father Bell
has flying machine that will go the
public will be glad to extend him the
usual courtesies. We are always ready
to inspect new aerial craft, although
riding in it is an entirely different mat
far