The evening times., 1900-01-23
THE CONVENTION PLANS
Philadelphia Republicans Arrang-
ing for the ASsembiage.
Work VIII soon Begin on the Recon-
struction 0T the ExpoSitIOn Build
inE for the Accommodation OF the
Great National Gathering in June.
\ Seating Capacity of $4,000.

PHILADELPHIA. Pa, Jan 23.-After
considerable deIiberation and a number of
revisions the National Republican Com
mittee chiefs have flally approved Of the
plans for the reconstruction OF the ex-
position building into the convention hall
It now merely requires the ratification of
the local committee Of this action and
work can be begun at any time to place
the hall in condition for the holding OF
the National Convention in June next
William d. Hewitt, the architect in
charge Of the alterations, has completed
all plans and specifications, and has made
a minute and thorough investigation OF the
present condition OF that portion of the
exposition building TO be utilized
Mr. Hewitt has assured the committees
that there is no necessity OF making any
alterations IN toe foundations and floors,
their present strength being ample for the
purpose. OF course. there will be some
changes required on both sides OF the pres
ent auditorium-the east and west arcades
owing to the elevations needed to make
the new stage visible to the audience. But
the building is pronounced more than sufi-
NhthNA9 olluuB 10 uolu ali OL the duulLOl 5
that may be crowded within the walls.
The plans as now settled upon,
Hewitt shows will provide seating capae-
4 i;y for 1900. besides standing room for
| 5000 without interfering with the comfort
/ and safety OF the assemblage. a gallery
I viii De erected and across the entire north
| eru end OF the hall. In the centre OF this
I viii be the baudstand on either side Of
/ which will be space for spectators. The
/ horseshoe Of the present auditorium will
/ Be reserved for the delegates and alter
4 mates exclusively. giving more than ample
room for these. The present stage will be
/ torn out to make room for quarters for 500
/ newspaper men.
/ There is At present between the back
! wall Of the stage and the front wall OF
| the centre pavilion a space so by POO feet
/ which will be utilized for the platform,
/ accommodating 3cO. TO the rear Of which
I Will be seats for 1.50O invited guests Be
low the platform will be rooms for tele-
graph operators. press bureaus committee
| rooms. ard reporters lounging rooms On
/ each side Of the space below the platform
will be placed a telegraph operators room.
I each containing room for fifty instruments.
] There viii be stairs leading from the re
| porters' section to the lower rooms. thus
/ providing convenient arrangements for the
/ expeditions transmission OF the news.
! From the outer edge of the present
( horseshoe in the auditorium there will rise
/ in gradual elevations to a height Of nearly
thirty feet. tiers OF seats covering all the
/ space now occupied by the east and ives.
/ arcades. The architect claims that the
! line Of sight viii be eEcellent from all sec
I tions of the hall Il he platform. The
( ground floors OF the north and centre pa
I yilions viii afford ample space for COM
/ mittec rooms and such other quarters as
may be required for the convention.
/ Mr.. Hewitt claims that in its completed
I state this convention hall will be the most
I cOmmOdiOus pleced at the disposal of the
, party in recent years. AS to the question
/ Of having TO put new foundations in the
hail. Mr.. Hewitt says this will only be re
I quired ia case the auditorium is to be made
a permanent one, as suggested by Mayor
/ Ashbridge and some COunCiimen. But for
this convention. he prOnOunces il entirely
| unnecessary to make any alterations be
low the flooring. The cost Of recOnstruc-
! ri0n viii be So 600. This amount does no,
I include the cost OF restoring the buildings
10 their present forms as stipulated bv
the exposition management