The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-08
CONVENTION HALL
 IS MAGNIFICENT Denver Has Provided a SpIen-
 did Meeting Place PROFUSE IN DECORATIONS Provision for Delegates and Newspaper Men Is Almost Perfect, While the Public Is We'll Cared For In
 Seating Matters.
PROFUSE IN DECORATIONS

Denver. July 7-Practical test was applied today to the great convention hall which the people of Denver have erected especially for the democratic national convention. Let no one have the idea, as did many of the delegates before their arrival here, that the con- vention is to meet in great harm like temporary structure, hastily flung together with frail and fnfammaoIe materials, to serve somehow for one occasion; of doubtful acoustic proper ties and scant fitness for even a tenn porary purpose. The first impression the stranger gets from view Of the building is that of a permanency' Granite and steel, brick and concrete, have been used without stint. It is first of all a vast house for the meeting of large conventions; not only this one but many yet to gather from all parts of the country.
 On the other hand, for the purpose of Denver, it is to be a home theatre well planned, convenient and of reason able proportions to house in comfort au- dineces to be gathered in wide-awake city of nearly 200, 900 people. The build ing, of pale gray brick and granite, occupies the entire Fourteenth street half of the block on the east side or Fourteenth street, between Curtis and Cbanpasta, on the western edge of the business section of the city, and with in easy walk of the hotels and rail roads.
 Stately Effect.
 1.-Two In design and with beauty of Its own. There ia an entire absence of tawdry ..gingerbread" effects and the lines are simple and stately, yet graceful and pleasing.
 Within the arrangement of the au- ditorium appears to be especially well planned to secure the utmost Of ca pacity and the greatest convenience or the delegates and others with view of seeing and hearing. The arrange ment of the platform and seating differs from that of the Chicago coliseum in that while there the platform was at one end of the auditorium, here - Is at the side, so that no auditor is mors than half the length the hall from tn c speaker The reservation for the dele gates and alternates is in the center. exteding clear across the hall; tn c spaces for spectators are at the ends and in the ample galleries
 The arrangements of entrances and exits is more than ordinarily effective and it is said that in case of emergency the auditorium could be emptied an6 every person be on the street within twc minutes Fire apparatus is located with in convenient points and 15 streams ol water are immediately available. AS ] matter of fact, the building is practically nreproof. The floors are of concrete ant the only material of an infiammable sor
 1otfo md ia tr ways erected for this convention and thu immense amount of bunting used In th' elaborate decorations.
 Profuse Decorations.
 These decorations are more profuse thar at Chicago, in a harmonious scheme O national flags and red. white and blu' streamers. Masses of flags are placed a appropriate points, while the ceiling i covered with red, white and blue stars each bearing the name of state.
 Over the rostrum is an immense portral of Washington, with Jefferson on on slde and Jackson on the other, while il the middle of the opposite wall, facinl the speakers, is another large portrait that of the late ex-President Grover Cleve land very large number of incandes cent electric lights Is used in lighting tn hall, the number beng considerably nor than $500, representing total candle power above 56,OO0. These are, in additio, to a system of "ceiling sunbursts," IA Il number A red light indicates the locatio of each exit.
 s~The exact number of seats in the au citorium under present arrangements 1 Ii 53s, but in a pinch more than R.eo0 peo ple can be accommodated. On the frs floor alone there are 6072 regular seats.
 Platform Seats.
 Upon the platform there are 445 seat reserved for members of the nationa committee and for guests of honor Tn number of seats on the rostrum IS 10l Directly in front of the rostrum are si' fables for telegraph instruments for tn ,,1 Associated Press and other press associa 1D 1s lions and the telegraph and telephon pias' lapanies, and all these have additiona 'ms' " in the Easement
 wo" and seats for newspaper core DUE. and special writers are ar
 Ha half-circle about the rostrun ms w AIN aanner as to give each write SSo-,,s >So,,dfirs s1d first>.ed view of speakers, an' oo airing distance. There arr ' .. section, each seat having PILE or two yoiaat ,yide hut arranpament, loom and board
 and home conve
 lid location. Call