Now I'm getting conused again......
this is taken from the playground website:
"If you read the datasheet for the MAX72XX you know that the drivers can be cascaded by simply connecting the signal DOut from one chip to DIn on the next chip. The signals Clk and Load(/CS) have to be connected in parallel to each MAX72XX. There is no strict limit as to how many drivers can be cascaded that way."
I don't have the Loads connected in parallel...they are set up from ss0-ss3 individually from the arduino I/Os 53, 49, 48 and 47......