El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-06-10
BALTIMORE CONVENTION HALL COST
STATE OF MARYLAND HALF MILLION

main gateway on Hoffman street the
eve first Is impressed by the magnifI-
cent distances and the seemingly endless
yistas Of seats. Under the hands of the
decorators the place has lost its mill
tary UtIlitarian look, transformed BY
the more than 10000 yards of bunting
that hides the roof beams, dTapes the
walls and covers practically every foot
of the interior except the windows and
floor spaces. The background Is a soft
effect of cream, gold and white, which
makes an effective setting for the na-
tiOnal cOlors displayed in countless ar
rangements. and the insignia and cOlOTs
of the various states.
The seating arrangements here are
the result of Ions study on the archi-
tects' part, aided by the practical eX-
perience of men veTsed in the practical
problems OF great conventions This
hall viii seat comfortably more than
1900 persons, and those in charge of
its preparation believe they have worked
out their problem so that every mem
Der of this great audience can command
a view Of the speakers stand and IN
derstand what is beng said. To bring
this about the location Of the speakers
platform was the matter Of first I'M
portanee-
Speakers Stand in Middle Hall
In the Baltimore hail the speakers
win stand we'll out toward the middle Of
the auditorium. directly opposite the
main central entrance, midway between
the ends of the hall and about &C feet.
or more than One-third the distance,
from the rear wall Of the interior. This
rostrum, the heart of the convention
hall, Is not large enough to permit
much pacing about on the orators part.
1t measures about Is feet long by ten
feet deep. tt IS elevated six feet above
the main floor.
Back Of the rOstrum, two feet above
it and communicating by steps, IS an
other platform of the same size for the
use of the secretaries of the convention.
Back of this are 500 seats. banked at the
rear to a height of IA feet. which are
reserved for the officers of the national
organization. Grouped about the speak
ers' platform. at both sides and in front,
are 435 seats for the press. These COM
municate through passageways under
the banked-Up seats behind with the
company rooms outside the drill hall
which have been fitted up for the use
of the newspapers and press assOcia-
tons and telegraph and telephone COM
panies- From these offices, within sound
of the speakers voice and of the secre-
tarv as he announces the results of each
ballot, run wires that viii carry the
news of the convention to the world.
For convenience in handling the
crowds. the convention hall seats have
been divided into IS sections, of which
40 are on the floor and the rest in the
balconies. The floor VIII seat 1861 and
the balconies 44OS. Deducting the seats
on the floor reserved for officials, dele
gates and alternates and the press
leaves 1920 for the public. These with
the balconies make room for II CPS
seats for the accommodation of Balti-
and visitors who are expected
by the ten-thousands from all parts Of
the country.
Has Many Exits.
To facilitate quick emptying of the
building. 13 new doors have been cut in
the granite walls, making a total OF Is
Twelve of these are for the use OF
those who hold tickets to the balconies,