The Mena weekly star., 1908-02-13
READY FOR REPUBLICANS
Hall Arrangements Practically Com- pleted for the National Conven-
 tion at Chicago.
ARRANGEMENTS ARE BETTER THAN EVER
Comfort and Convenience of Those Who Attend Looked After by Chair man New and Secretary D0ver--To- tai Seating Capacity of Hall 11,oft-- More Room for Writers.

Washington, Feb. S.--Chairman liar ry s. New, Secretary Elmer Dover and other members of the subcommittee of the republican national committee, practically have completed the hall arrangements for the national conven- tion which is to be held in Chicago next June The convention will as- ssmble in the Coliseum, the scene of many historic gatherings, which was designed afid erected with special ref erencs to the needs of political con vention. It is admirably located, being only about 12 minutes walk from the business center of Chicago and reached by the Illinois Central rail- road and electric surface lines. In the opinion of Secretary Dover. while arrangements for previous conven- tions in the Coliseum have been ex- cellsnt. they will be better this year than ever before. As planned now, the Coliseum in June will be the most complete convention hall in the United States, although one or two other halls are larger
 To Chairman New and Secretary Dover past experience in effecting ar has proved valuable. They have per. fected plans which will make the Coli scum almost an ideal convention hall Every improvement they have suggest. ed to the architect tends to the com fort and convenience of those who at tend the convention. The most radi- cal of these improvements Is an entire change in the seating arrangements. The platform, instead of being at the center of one side of the Coliseum, will be at one end. This will not de. crease the number of seats, but will permit all who occupy seats both tc see and to hear the proceedings.
 The total number of seats, accord ing to present plans, is 11,011, which includes the seats provided in the bal cony that extends around the hall. On a raised platform above the floor of the auditorium will be provided seats for the chairman and secretaries of the convention and 56 seats for mem. bers of the national committee. The section immediately in the rear of the platform provided for specially invited guests will contain 1926 seats. Di. rectly in front of the platform and extending on both sidea of 1t are the sections provided for working mem. bers of the press. These sections will give desk room for 416 writers, nearly 100 more than were provided for at the last convention. In the body of the hall 1000 seats are provided for the delegates and immediately back of them 1000 more have been set aside for the alternates. On each side of these two sections and in the rear of them are 3,615 seats for the spec. tators, these sections being arranged in amphitheatre style. The balcony sections contain 3,19S seats for the general public. most of them being very desirable.
 Entrances to the hall are provided on all sides. the total number being 12, exclusive of several stairway en frances from the basement to the plat form and guests sections. In the base ment admirable arrangements have been made for the convenience of the delegates. altsrnates and the members of the press. Telegraph and telephone offices will be established. The decora. tions of the Coliseum. both inside and outside, will be elaborate and beauti. ful.