New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-08-03

LiUely Meeting of Committee in
Charge of Big Reception.

There was lively discussion yesterday after
noon at the meeting Of the executive committee
in charge OF the reception 20 William Jennings
Bryan over the prOpriety and policy OF reservins
a large part Of the seats at Madison Square
Garden. The finance committee reported plan
to issue tickets for the entire house This raised
storm Of protest. and at the same time re-
veaIed the fact that various members Of the
committee were anxious 20 get blocks OF seats
for their friends. The question finally was left
to the finance committee but Lewis Nixon de-
Clared that. whatever arrangements were made.
at least $500 seats would be open TO the gem
eraI public.
A letter was read from 81r. Bryan. in which be
expressed the hope that rich men might be led
70 place limit on their accUmuIations- This
only follows the idea enunciated by President
Roosevelt some time ago.
The name Of David B. Hill also caused a sir
in the meeting. When his name was suggested
for membership on the executive committee Col
Onel Alexander Troup said: Don't you think
we had better inquire first whether or not ey-
Senator Hill would wish TO be appointed on the
committee? / thought il was understood that
he was entirely out Of politics.
But" said Norman Z Mack "this is a nom
political reception 70 a distinguished citizen"
He said ne could see no objection 20 Mr.. HUI
serving the committee. so the ex-senator was
made q member 0r the committee OJnerS dGtl-
cd were ex-senator Edward Murphy. jr..
Governor Garvin. OF Rhode Island; clifford
Breckenridge. OF Arkansas. and James HaEnll-
ton Lewis. Of Chicago.
Colonel TrOup. the treasurer. reported that the
cost Of the reception would not be less than slo.
GOO The startling fact that it had been decided
20 issue tickets for the reception 70 Mr.. Bryan.
the friend Of the masses and the foe OF special
privileges. came out when the finance COMMITTEES
reported that il would cost SO TO print nine
thousand tickets. Mr.. Mack at once expressed
the opinion that it would be unwise 70 reserve
any seats on the main floor. He said:
suppose FIVE hundred people will come frous
Buffalo, and / don't suppose fve Of them VIII
have tickets. AS a member OF the COMMITTEES I
shall want to do as much for them as can % an1
presume other members OF the Conrnlttee %lI
feel the same way But feel. nevertheless. that
1t would be great mistake 70 have ths idea go
out that this is a reserved seat AFFAIR.
Mr. Nixon said that seats should certainly he
provided for the prominent Democrats from
various parts of the country who had received
special invitations. George Fred Williams. os
Massachusetts,. said this number should be I'm
ited Thomas L Feitner said that 20 preserve
order and insure that the women should be COM
Portable admission 20 the main floor should be
by ticket only Colonel TrOup said connrnuni-
cation had been received from Baltimore saying
that one hundred persons would come from there
If they could be assured of seats.
Congressman sulzer said number OF labor
organizations wanted send delegations and
had asked for three thousand tickets.
!ssSow can we promise that number 70 thenl2"
asked the Congressman The question not
answered.
It was said that nlr. Bryan would also adj
dress an open air meeting in Madison Square
where he could be heard by those who could not
get tickets or seats In the Garden. IL was sug-
gested that the crowds would be entertained hy
the regular concert in the park until MIR. Bryan
appeared. George w. Sweeney. proprietor OF the
Victoria Hotel. was asked 20 serve as chairman
Of a committee on hotel accommodations. An
other committee was appointed To look after the
invited guests.
The finance committee had decided that the
only decorations of the Garden should be Amer
ican flags. but their report was amended TO in
clude large electric sign. which should show
that the reception was under the auspices OK
the Commercial Travellers Antitrust League.
William HOge. chairman Of the league. read
the letter from Mr. Bryan. which was dated the
Lakes of Killarney. July 81. and said:
I have tust learned that Mayor Tom L. john
SON is to preside at the Homecoming reception.
and I hasten 70 express my satisfaction at the
choice Mr.. Johnson is a unique figure. He
stopped money making In the very prime OF HE
and at great pecuniary sacrifice gave himself
unreServedly to public affairs. In the face OF all
the abuse that intrenched WrOngdOeTs could
heap upon him he has been performing a great
civic duty. and am hoping that his splendid eN-
ample will inspire many other rich men 20 put
a limit TO their aCcumulatiOns and devote their
lives TO the welfare OF their fellows. Inere are
many good friends whom would have gladly seen
chosen for that place. but at this time when
there are many signs OF ethical awakening
among business men his selection was es-
peciaily appropriate. 1 am also pleased with
the. selection OF Augustus Thomas.