The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-06-17
GREAT CHICAGO IN
CONVENTION TIME
Bio Crowds Make Thorough
fares Look Like Gigantic
Amusement Places.
STATE STREET THE CENTER
DELEGATES AND VISITORS PROM
ENADE ABOUT SHOPPING DIS
TRIcTs AND MERCHANTS REAP
RICH HARVEST.

Chicago. June 17.-If Rip Van Win
kle had stepped from his long retreat
in the Caskills to State street yester-
day or today his awakening would
have been more rude than was the
one allotted him in Irving's tale. He
and his little dog Schneider, probably
would have become separated in the
maelstrom of shouting, busting hui
mainly, which packed the walks on
either side of the thoroughfare.
But Rip Van Wrinkle lived many
years ago, and the new world to
which he returned has again been
transformed through the evolution OF
years. In the vast army Of visitors
that has poured into the city within
the past few days to swell the living
torrent in the downtown streets on
the eve of the great convention there
were no RIP Van Wrinkles
Everybody on the Streets.
All were alive to the issues that are
beinglmet at the coliseum and all were
keyed up to the highest pitch. Men,
and women old and young, from all
parts Of the United States and in ev-
cry walk of life, Joined the kaleidosco-
pic demonstration and contributed to
the din.
II Is estimated that more than co.
900 visitors were on State street be-
tween Van Buren, and Lake streets at
4 o'clock in the afternoon. All other
streets in the loop district also were
on
on the appearance of worlds fair
day.
Automobiles, bedecked with flags,
or placards bearing the likeness OF
the various "favorite sons" footed
and swerved through the bustling
streets in the loop district or found
their way into the long procession up
Michigan avenue. And the frequent
cheers from autos were re-echoed by
the gay throng.
When the out-of-town delegates with
their wives or daughters found their
way to State street the shopping thor
oughfares appeared like canyon, dec
grated with American flags and litter
ed with Autographs of the men who
are expected to save the country"
again.
Badges for All.
Campaign buttons and ribbons bear
ing the insignia of the favorite candi-
date adorned each lapel and the surg
ing throng whooped it up in babel
of voices. Curbstone orators We'd with
the street takers in the effort to at
tract attention, and in some instances
their success was so great that traf-
fic about the corners was temporarily
blocked.
Delegations carrying Knox umbrel
las and wearing the regulation light
fedora hat formed a conspicuous link
in the moving chain. They laughed
and joked with 'rooters" for other
candidates, as they jostled each other
in the lively promenade.
An enterprising vender at State an6
Monroe streets did a thriving business
with a stock of tin horns until po
liceman stopped the sale. The dis
pensers of buttons and Autographs
however. were more fortunate ant
throughout the day they reaped har
vest from the sale of their wares.
Michigan Avenue Disnified.
While State street with it's gayl!
decorated shops proved the drawing
card for the sightseers. Michigan av
enue ran a close second in the contes
for popularity. There the scene wa:
a trifle less cosmopolitan, even the
street faker appearing to be of more
dignified type.
There exquisitely gowned womer
strolled back and forth with the fash
ionably dressed men or laughed ant
chatted in groups about the hotels
There also distinguished statesmen
noted politicians and moneyed mel
whose names are familiar from coas
TO coast were conspicuous in the ga.
throng. They also appeared to enjo,
the hustle and excitement.
At 3 O'Clock in the afternoon tn,
walk in front of the congress hotel
was so crowded that many of thos
who wished to enter were compelle
to go to the Congress street entrances
The Grant Park side of the boulevar
also was lined with promenaders
many of them anxious to catch
glimpse of some of the distinguish
visitors.
When the elephant, Goodies,
which led the parade last night, NOV
ed clumsily past the Annex In the a.
ternoon to the lake front. where b
was corralled q cheer went up fror
the walks and hundreds of guest
swarmed to the windows.
The stiff breeze which blew fror
the lake sent many new hats flying u
Michigan avenue and under tn
wheels of the whizzing automobiles.
But the antics of the wind prove
profitable to a score of small boy:
who. armed with whisk brooms, rake
in the dimes and quarters by captu
ing and brushing the tickle headgea
Good laces are Always Treasures