New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-29

THE GREAT REPUBLICAN GATHERING
MAY POSSIBLY BE POSTPONED.
ROOF OF THE BUILDING PARTLY BLOWN OFF
AND OTHER DAMAGE DoNE-rHE ASSISTANT
ARCHITECTS OPINION AND CHAIRMAN

AND OTHER DAMAGE DONE-THE ASSISTANT
ARCHITECTS OPINION AND CHAIRMAN
cARTERs VIEWS.
81 Louis. May 2S-The Auditorium Building
where the Republican National Convention is TO
be held. was badly damaged by yesterdays tor
nado. Every flagstaff was broken, and the pole
on which the Stars and Stripes so proudly waved
an hour before was blown off and the flag ripped
into shreda The east roof OF the building was
blown off, The flying boards shattered windows
within a radius OF $50 feet. The plaster on the
roof was carried away This caused many holes
and crevices, through which the water poured
and submerged the floor Of the building
There Is not much left Of the roof at best. and
It will have 10 be replastered and repapered. A
couple Of roof joists went through the south wall
Of the building tearing In their path space four
by fifteen feet, and this was not through win
dows, but the solid portion of the walls. These
portions OF the roof hung threa teningly. and
were removed after the storm had abated
Chicago. May 2S.-D. Adler. assistant archi-
tect of the St. Louis Convention Hall. said this
morning: "The question OF reconstructng the
convention hall Is only matter OF time. 1t took
two months TO erect the building. 1t is built OF
Georgia pine. II the material could be cut and
got to the site In time suitable building might
be got together TO hold the convention In by
working twenty-four hours a day on II. but
hardly think It could be got up In time for the
convention TO be held as advertised June 10
do not think there is another building In the city
capabte of seating 5000 or 5000 people. The
building was practically completed two weeks
ago. wher I was in the city with the exception
OF putting the seats and inside work into It,
!. ATALK WITH CHAIRMAN CARTER
Washington. May oS (SpecaD-The sugges-
,,o, made this afternoon by Senator Thomas H.
Carter. chairman of the Republican National
(,or,mittee that Yesterdays disaster in St Louis
n,zh, make necessary change In the date for
holding the Republican National Convention ex-
cited some int est among the politicians at the
csnItal Mr.. Carter could not venture positive
opnion as 10 the advisabilty OF postponing the
convention, because OF the lack or dennite news
as TO the extent Of the injury done 10 the COZ"
vantion building and to the city generally ne
Inti,nated fpfetty strongly, however that ne
r,ixht feeI called on TO ascertain the views Oh
the members Of the National Committee az 70
thu desirablity Of holding the convention III July
instead OF June The Republican leaders mere
ere no, inclined 20 consider seriously the que7-
,,o, n, no,tponing the convention. and agree
generally that no change IN the terms OF the can
issuea last December Will be found necessary.
'.I lear from the United Press disI sIaiches 'i'iS
,rorninc said Chairman Carter, that ths ua'n-
ege to the convention hall is not 50 serious aS
q, nrst reported II Is said that portion OF 'ie
roof was blown Off and that the side walls WERE
In a few places. penetrated by lying m'SS''es'
causing some disarrangemert OF tue '"'e' 80. 80
The statefaent - made that all thls V'A' an
be repsirea within the next ten DAYS Inv .'"
.,,.,i c,nn,ittea has full power In the premises
Of he ]
,,a clrcufnstanccs justify II. Nothing VIII oe
=, ,,o,,.,ar until I get absolutely accurate
,n,ormetlon. II this information suggests the
,,ohu,,v of postponing the convention shaiI
..,o,-anh 70 zach member OF the committee ana
40, n, the earliest possible moment Shouiu
oha,,a ~ date be decided upon. 1t wouId proo-
o,1v no fixed FOR July l6. just one month later
than the present date.
chairman Carter also said that possibly con-
alterations other than the mere wreckihg OF
the hall would influence the committee
Whether or not the hotels. in view OF the gen
eral wrecking OF business would be aoie 10 TAKE
care Of the crowds. and the question OF 'he
ability OF the railroads properly 10 manure INC
traffic would be considered. Mr carter also
suggested that II the city was within the next Ten
aav. ,o be turned into a vast funeral procession
oa thrown into general mourning over the num-
dreds Of victims OF this appalling disaster II
would be wise. perhaps not to thrust upon II
political convention with all Its attendant e%-
element and enthusiasm ,
I'm TO a late hour tonight Senator Garter had
no, heard from the local comml. zee ia 81 LOUIS
as 20 the damage done TO the Convention Han
lie Will not move In the matter OF postpohih8
the date Of the Convention until ne Is informed
OF the desire OF the local committee III the
premises. In no case. he says VIII the pace VI
holding the Convention be changed