Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-08-03
CONVENTION HALL AID
PROMISED BY LEADERS

Continued from rage Oho
lethargy on the Convention Hall project
There is S1,4OO,OOO of city loan funds imme-
dntely available for the new Convention
Hall, Those funds have laid Idle In the
oltv Treasury for years. The business
men told Senator Penrose yesterday that
in their opinion, members of Councils with
conflicting Views regarding the proper To-
cation for the hall were responsible for
the delay. The Republican leaders were
not blamed.
Neither Senators Ware nor McNichol
would indicate whether any general To-
cality or particular site for the public
convention structure has their endorse
ment
Senator McNichol injected some humor
into that phase of the question by de-
olarng:
"I will be in favor of the site that may
be chosen by the members of Councils,
the representatives of the people"
Asked what he thought of the plan to
have the Chamber of Commerce select a
site by vote of its 1000 members. repre-
sentlng Philadelphia business establish
ments, he indicated, as did Senator Ware,
that he favored having Councils make the
selection.
Responding to direct inquiry as to
whether he thought the hall would be
built i'm the near future, Senator Nc
Nichol said:
McNICHOL's STATEMENT.
'If the Republican National Convention
comes to Philadelphia next year, Ii can
meet in Convention Hall"
do you mean a new convention hall
such as has been advocated by Philadel-
phians for years and for construction of
which 81, 100000 of loan moneys Is now idle
in the City Treasury" he was asked.
Yes mean a new convention hall. If
the Republican Convention comes here,
see no reason why the construction OF
the hall should not be far enough ad-
vanced by that time to accommodate
suitably the sessions of the National Con-
vention."
Senator Ware in commenting on the
likelihood of Councils selecting a site and
proceeding with the construction of the
hall at an early date said:
Il have not the slightest doubt that
Councils will furnish the convention hall
II the proper effort Ia made to bring the
Republican National Convention to this
city, toward which EFFORT l have already
pledged $1,000, IL a proper start In the
movement is made.
LIBERAL CITY TO GET MEETING.
After all, the large city that houses
the convention and takes care Of its ex-
penses Is the city that usually lands the
convention"
1t is confidently believed. by advocates
of the early construction Of Convention
Hall, that the orders Of the Organization
leaders to their cohorts In Councils will
be TO take action on the Convention Hail
question Immediately after the Noyem-
ber election. Then the matter will be
taken up with great show OF concern and
activity; site will be chosen and the
building will be rushed to completion.
with at least six separate sites indoFsed
for Convention Hall by business organi-
cations and individuals in as many sec
tions OF the city, IL is believed that the
Republican leaders are unwilling TO or
der Councils TO name site which would
create discomfort and probable antagonlsn
among the fiYe unsuccessful groups OF
claimants for recognition The result or
couneilmanio action before election, they
believe, would show an effect at the polls
In any event, II Is now regarded as GER
tain that Philadelphia's Convention Hail
will be put under construction within a
comparatively short time after the No
vember ballotlng. The Republican party
leaders realize the bensht to Themselves
as well to the community of bringing
the National Convention 10 this cIty
unwillingness on the part OF the Repub-
lioAn leaders to have the contracts lei ana
construction OF the hall begun during the
Bankenburg administration Is thoueht
by some TO have been responsible for the
lack Of action by Councils In the matter
1t Is, however, now regarded as certain
that construction OF the hall win start
after January next
The local political leaders 1t IL a.
serted, will profit greatly along lines ~
personal prestige IN national politiea n
the National Convention comes here. saS
on that account the Convention Han nro-
jeot should have their entire support
BUSINESS MEN EAGER.
The business men contend they are
eager OF attract the Republican National
Convention 10 this city They are aIao
just as eager 20 have the Convenfien
Hall erected for the commercial welfare
OF the City
A convention han should be erectss al
once 70 houss sessions OF All kinda II III
declared. Five thousand advertisine 80
win be ii Philadelphia next summer III
annual session, ana II Is argued thai tbs
hall should be ready to aceommodsfs
them.
Prominent sufraEists also have entares
the camnaien for the convention hali IA
Is believed that a suitable structure v,o,,is
be potent factar n bringing 70 Phlladel-
phia the national convention sf az Co.
eral Federation u Homens club. usieh
has more than i,oooooo members.