The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903, 1900-03-10


the press committee. which did heroic
work, but solely with a view to increase
the attendance of delegates and visitore.
The work Of the bureau of information,
the next committee, was turing the SEES
sion-and by making a large working
force, the business was easily handled
double the number OF visitors would
have made no difference; this also ap-
plies to the credentials committee, with
the difference, of course, that its work
ends with the opening session OF the
convention. A committee on hotels
could, in a city Of the size of Denver.
probably accommodate from eight to
ten thousand strangers, il necessary.
The committee on place OF meeting has
been criticised to some extent because
OF the crowding of the convention ball.
If there is mistake in the plan of the
biennial, believe it is that an attempt
is made to contine the various depart
ments represented to one or two meet
ing places. The time has come when.
at such a convention, an individual
choice must be made. 1t is thus With
our daily life. We cannot have the
whole; we must select the especial
theme in which we are interested. To
this one replies, But what Of the eve
ming meetings ?" To be sure, they were
grand and inspiring in Denver. but if
good for one audience, they are better
for two-duplicate them, by all means.
The National Educational association
in Denver brought eleven thousand peo-
pie, but sessions we're held all over the
city. AS far as the egularly accredited
delegates to the fourth biennial were
concerned, there was ample accommo-
dation at all the business meetings. The
theater has seating capacity Of eigh-
teen hundred people; the whole number
OF credentials issued, which included
those given to speakers, guests, frateT-
nal delegates, press, etc, was not quite
eleven hundred. while the largest num-
Der Of ballots cast for any officer. accord.
ing to official report, was six hundred
and seventy-four. Surely the complaint
mace regarding the inconvenience of
the business session is not borne out by
the figures.
There Is an unwritten law of the fed
Grafton that only certain off :ers, chair
men, guests, ETC., shall receive enter
tainment in private homes. That limits
the number in every case. ard is in no
sense burden on the committee or the
citizens. The only fear ever expressed
by the entertainment committee wss
that there would not be enough visitors
to till the eight large houses offered for
the receptions, and the matter was
seriously debated OF including the fif-
teen hundred Denver club women in
these invitations. 1t was joyful sur
prise when it was found that nearly
three hundred invitations would be le-
quire6 by delegates and visitors.
OF the work of the trans 2ortation
committee, only few words need b,
said. The larger the number of visi-
itors the better the railroad rates and
the easier to obtain concessions. This
is also true of the committee on excur-
sions. and the constant prayer and plea
of these two committees Was for many
people-the Eore the better.
The local program committee is almost
wholly under the direction OF the bien
NAL committee, and had no particular
concern regarding numbers-a few more
programs or few less being of little mo-
ment and slight expense.
Tho finn uaitfaa Ii, nax..a.