The San Francisco call., 1904-11-15

there were red. white and blue stream
ers and shields with the national cOlors
emblazOned on them in great prOfusiOn
a ; decorations in all directions. Red.
white and blue banners depended from
the center of the ceiling and were
lcoped up at the sides and ends of the
hall. Each State and Territory in the
United States was represented by a
red, white and blue shield and the
names Of the sisterhood Of States were
broadcast. oddly. although there
were British delegates on the stage,
the placing of even SO much as one
British flag in the scheme of decora-
uons seemed to have been overlooked.
At the opening Of the proceedings
President GOmDers, his associated Of
hcers and members of the local recep-
ton committee occupied the stage. The
other delegates sat in the body of the
hall. Long tables were arranged the
entire length Of the auditorium. Beside
the tables sat the delegates in opposing
rows, each equipped with writing mate
rial, the general effect being to pro-
duce the impression that a great num-
ber Of resolutions may be forthcoming.
IF any delegate wishes TO write reso-
lutions the facilities are unparalleled.
Every seat in the body Of the house
was taken by delegates. Near the door
outside Of a railing that was guarded
was a fringe Of workingmen who were
interested spectators. Among the dele
gates We're several women. There was
also one negro delegate on the floor,
who rose to say something just before
the noon recess, but he was out of or
der, and a sharp series of raps Of the
gavel in Gompers' hands caused him to
subside. The gallery that surrounds the
auditorium on three sides was COM
pletely filled with spectators. Here also
were few women, but the great ma
Jority Of the delegates and nearly all
the spectators were men.
YOUNG MEN NUMEROUS.
They were nearly all young men, two
thirds of the entire number both in the
delegates seats and in the galleries,
were 30 years old or less. The Youngest
Of the delegates is Robert S. Meloney
Of Lawrence, Mass, aged % years-the
only delegate from east of Boston.
There were several others not much
older. Gray boards and gray hairs were
known only to a minority, and a small
minority at that.
The first cheers Of the day were heard
when Mayor Schmitz climbed to the
stage and faced the audience. Gompers
received a good welcome. He is smooth
ly shaven, short, stout, wears gold
bowed eyeglasses, a snugly fitting
veals a well-rounded figure; on the
fourth finger of his left hand is a hand
some seal ring: on his shirt front gilt
ters a large diamond. When he jokes
with the audience he looks as benevo-
lent as Mr.. Pickwick. When he is ex-
cited his voice rises, and the fact that
he has a strong, firm mouth and a
prominent nose is impressed on the
spectators. Gompers' associates on the
stage were a comfortable looking lot
without exception. They were well
dressed, smiling and enthusiastic
The two British elegates-Wagnall and
William Abraham, NJ. P.-have boards.
They looked like conservative business
men as they sat a good part of the day
on the stage. Mr.. Abraham frequently
called out, Hear, hear" when some
thing that pleased him was said.
After Gompers had called the conyen-
ton TO order J. o. Walsh, president of
the San Francisco Labor Council, deliv-
cred an address of welcome to the dele