The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-15
Noisy Demonstrations Are Made By Crowdsof Delegates
 and Visitors
PRIVATE CONFERENCES
 ON THE SACRED PLATFORM
Platform Has Already Been Drafted But Hot Fight Is Expected In the Convention Upon the Word
 ing Of ~-,raI Planks.

Chicago ylJune 14.-With flags flying, bands playing and crowds surging the usual Sunday calm of Chicago gave way today to the many noisy demonstrations which usher in national convention. State delegations and marching clubs slow in arriving passed into the city throughout the day, and there was an incessant din of brass bands, marching men and exploding enthusiasm.
 The broad lake front along which the . headquarters of candidates and state del legations are located was besieged by the Incoming throngs, N. '' choked the hotel lobbies over1owed int, streets and mingled with the groups of curious en- lockers on the broad plaza fronting Lake Michigan. It was ideal summer day with bright skies and a cool breeze from the lake which gave better promise of good convention weather than yesterday But despite the thrush of strangers tnerc was an undercurrent of feeling that the multitude was not as great and the en- thusasm not as feverish and overwhelm- ing as in the days past. It was observed that some of the arriving state delegd- tons were stripped lo d Slilcl puSii'cSS basis of delegates and alternates without the usual quota of strong lung shouters This brought the cancellation of hotel rooms in goodly number until some of the large hotels threatened legal pro- ceedngs for this unexpected diminution of revenue. But to the veterans of con vention battles this decrease of lung power among the arrivals promised the more orderly and .business-like conven- ton that had often been wished for dur ing the ,tumultuous proceedings of the past.
 Headquarters Active.
 Although. many important conferences were held during the day on candidates and platform, interest continued to cen ter on the arriving delegations with their distinguished personnel, and the noisy demonstration which greeted them. The headquarters of the presidential candi- dates were full of activity throughout the day. From the veranda of Cannon head quarters band performed a sacred concert with occasional lapses into the ,enlivening strains of Hail Columbia and much rag time. The Taft headquar- ters had the usual throng of visitors, but the formal opening was still deferred until the arrival of the Ohio delegation tomorrow. when the real enthusiasm will be touched off. The Fairbanks headquar- ters were radiant with flowers and filled with ladies who accompanied the Indiana party Conspicuous among the Fairbanks workers was George Ade, the author delegate. The Knox headquarters had its full share of excitement with two bands and two marching clubs. Among the interesting groups were those of Sioux Ind ans from the Pine Ridge agency, who had come on under the care of an agent to see the mysteries of great father"
 Private Conferences.
 But while these scenes were going On before the eyes of all, the more important work of preparation of candidates and platform was being gone over at private conferences in the upper chambers of the hotels. where few were admitted and little was made known One of the chief conferences of the day was that on plat form. and while this was rather informal it brought. about tba HiAar= understanding that that document as already drafted m accordance with the views of the Presi- dent and MT. Taft would go before the convention gn substantially it's present form.
 Pressurs flor platform modification increased today to such an extent, however, that the Taft forces plainly foresee a contest in the resolutions committee which promises to be bo1h tenacious and prolonged. This pressure has so far only increased the determi- nation of those directing the Taft movement to assume more unyielding attitude.
 Taft Platform.
 of we are to have Taft for the can didate we are going to have Taft platform" is the ultimatum. This Taft platform, as is well known, has been written. It is in the custody of Wade H. Ellis, attorney general of Ohio, who has taken up his quarters for the con vention at the Auditorium Annex. Every plank of this platform is de- clared to have received the most de- tailed and weighty attention, and rl prediction Is made that every plank will remain In the document and in the language as 1t is now except with some minor changes in verbiage The platform contains an expression of the belief that more liberal rule should be adopted by the courts in applying injunction process in labor disputes. This plan Is not liked by some mem bers of the party. The elimination of any expression on the subject would meet with their hearty approval. Presi- dent Van Cleave of the National Man ufacturers association today urged the rejection of this injunction plank with great earnestness, The plank was favored by Samuel Gompers, president of the American Federation of Laboi', who was also given an opportunity to be heard
 Many New Names.
 The Vice Presidential contest con . tinues to be the most enlivening fea- ture of the preliminary work and the delegates are as much in doubt to- night as ut any time since the cAntdsr