The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1916-06-08

gressiysm IS well known, and he
has the respect Of all camps.
Senator Warren @. Harding. the
temporary chairman, probably will
be made permanent presiding officer.
Al 1918. three-quarters OF an
hour before the convention was
scheduled 10 open, there were not
more than 500 people in the hall.
Music OF the band echoed and re-
echoed through the giant spaces OF
the hall aud reyerberated against
the bunting draped roof Outside II
r8iHed increasingly, An unending
flock Of taNicabs poured out their
stream ~ delegates and visitors.
But the crowds that stepped from
taxis and street cars was good-na-
ured. Used 20 being wet, many
men hadn't even taken the trouble
10 change their straw hats. Pana-
mas and raincoats were almost an
Official uniform.
Out OF thousands OF visitors and
delegates there we're probably only
a dozen or so who picked the right
entrance by which 10 get into the
conyention-but not more than a
dozen.
Quite the proper course was TO
find that your entrance was just q
block away.
There was neither the usual con-
ventlon jam or the tense feeling en-
gendered by bitter rival candidates.
10 create bad temper.
At lO.40 there were perhaps 1000
persons in the hall. and OF these
not - were delegates. Saddest OF
all the rain-drenched throng were
the ticket spectators. There was
an awful bearish feeling in the ticket
market.
The Coliseum was lighted inside
as for a night session-and it was
entirely necessary. too. The band
changed tactics today and instead OF
playing Chopin and other classics.
put little more pep into things by
swinging of occasionally into Good
Bye. Girls" Wearing OF the Green"
and some Of the more lively tunes
OF the day
Senator Harding arrived al 11:o5
with his faithful parliamentarian.
Rep. W. s. Bennett. OF New York
as always during convention time.
al his elbow.
One usher had the hardihood 20
stop Uncle Joe Cannon as the for
mer speaker was meandering down
the aisle toward the space marked
OF for the Illinois delegation.
Where's your badge" the zeal
Gus guardian demanded.
Uncle Joe suffered.
Young man." he remarked, shift
ing an unlighted cigar into his left
hand and dropping the other arm
over the guards shoulder, my face
ought 10 be my badge-but-"
and AT this moment 75 delegates
from Illinois. Pennsylvania. Indiana
and elsewhere ran over, steam-rol-
tered the guard and brought Cannon
along while those who had amused
" watched the scene applauded.
BY 11:10 the hall was almost full
considerably better than yester-
day. The delegates were also very
much more perky in spirit. The con-
versation was more enthusiastic.
there was more OF II, the band
played more lively airs and there
were more women in the galleries.
II was raining just az dismally out
side as II did yesterday, but there
was a noticeable change today from
the apathy which seemed in the air
yesterday.
1t was exactly 1l:22 when Mon
signor r. c. Kelly. Offered prayer.
He fervently prayed for wisdom and
Almighty guidance in the delibera-
lions Of the convention.
BLESS every motive and thought
OF ours that Ia done with the idea OF
pleasing Thee" he concluded.
At the close OF the prayer the
band sprung a new stunt. softly
turning into the strains Of Rock Of
Ages"
They were cut right short In the
middle Of the first verse, by tele-
phone message from Chairman Hard
ing. Tie effect was weird.
Chairman Harding then inquired
II the credentials committee was
ready 10 report. Senator Smoot ap.
proved and so reported, being given