The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-28
Committees Are Working Hard
 to Get Ready for Convention
BELL IS FIRST ID PRESIDE
Californian Is Chosen For Temporary Chairman-H. D. Clayton May Be Permanent Chairman-The Plat
 form Will Have No Secrets.

Denver, Col, June 27.-Theodore A. Bell of California was today chosen temporary chairman of the democratic national con- ventlon by the committee on arrange ments. No selection was made for the permanent chairmanship, this matter going over until the meeting of the full committee can be held. The most prom in ently mentioned in this connection are Representative Henry D. Clayton of Ala bama and Judson Harmon of Ohio. Gov, Joseph w. Folk of Missouri and Senator Joseph w. Bailey of Texas are also strongly favored Other appointments made by the committee on convention ar arrangements, which will probably be mads permanent. were as follows:
 General Secretary-Urey Woodson of Kentucky.
 Assistant General Secretary-Edwin W. Sefton of Washinfton, D. c.
 Sergeant-at-Arms-Joh I. Martin of Missouri. ea
 Chief Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms-J. c. Fem of Indiana.
 Chef Doorkeeper-Eugen W. Sullivan of Illinois.
 Parliamentarian-N. D. Crutchfield of Kentucky.
 Chaplain for Opening Daylight Rev James J. Keane, archbishop of Wyoming.
 Official stenographer-M. w. Blumberg Of Washington, D. c.
 Numbers Present.
 Those present at the committee meeting today were Chairman Thomas Taggart, Secretary Urey Woodson, Roger c. Sul- llvan of Illinois, R. M. Johnston of Texas, James c. Dahlnnan of Nebraska, Norman E. Mack of New York and Gov. John F.. Osborne of Wyoming. Two members, John T. McGraw of West Virginia ant lark Howell Of Georgia, were absent, the proxy of the former being held by MT. Sullivan of Illinois, while Urey Woodson represented MT. Howell
 It was rumored early in the day that Roger c. Sullivan of Illinois, who is chair man of the committee on convention ar arrangements, might head a fight against the selection of Mr. Bell as chairman. It was said that while Bell was known to be favored by w. J. Bryan he was not rdently desired by Mr. Sullivan and some of his friends, and the report was that six of nine votes would be cast gainst him when his name was men tioned. No fight developed, however, and the temporary chairman was selected unanimously within few minutes after the committee met and without another IT. mi Johnston Of Texas offered the motion selecting Bell as temporary chairman and it was promptly adopted.
 q talked with Bryan about the plat of chaplains except at the opening ses- sion of the convention with Chairman Taggart of the national committee, and the appointment of additional secretaries and sergeants-at-arms with Secretary Woodson and the sergeant-at-arms re- spectively. The number of reading and tally clerks was put at maximum of 15.
 Seating Delegates.
 The committee then took up the ques- tion of seating the delegates and alter mates already chosen from the Philippine Islands, and after a brief discussion 1t was decided that the precedent estab- lished by the national convention of 1904 
 the alternates and without votes should be followed.
 The national convention in 1904 decided that the delegates from the Philippines could not be received because the islands are not properly a part of the United States, and that no delegates to a na- tional convention could be sent legally fully.
 A lengthy discussion of the apportion- ment of tickets occupied the committee until 1t adjourned No settlement was reached and the entire matter went over until Tuesday, when another meeting will be held. The demand for tickets of admission has been unprecedented.
 Pressure For Tickets.
 Because of the tremendous pressure which is being brought upon the members of the national committee for admission if is possible that the sessions of the conventions may temporarily be halted while processions composed of people who have been unable to secure tickets are allowed to pass through the hall for the purpose of witnessing the spectacle of tho great convention.
 The selection of the temporary chair man was in direct accord with the wishes of MT. Bryan as announced sev- eral days ago. He said that he strong Iy favored former Representative Bell and Representative Henry D. Clayton of Alabama for the temporary and per- manent chairmanships. and while he was not particular as to which man held either position, he believed they should between them preside over the entire deliberations of the convention. Mayor James c. Dahlman of Omaha, T warm personal friend of MT. Bryan and a member of the sub committee, ar- rived in Denver early today and brought with him the latest news from Lincoln He declared the position of Bryan as to the chairmanships was un- changed.
 Mayor Dohlman was generally cred tied with having in his possession a copy of the platform which Is to be submitted to the convention, but he did not bring it.
 Platform No Secret. q talked with Bryan about the plat ha ootd H,11t that fa al is