Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-06-14
Nv John EDWIN NEv1N

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CONVENTION HALL, ST. LOUIS June
When the doors Of the big structure in
w1irh the Democratic National Convention
assembled today were thrown open at s:so
0'eiock only few spectators were
waiting Most Of the delegates had slept
tate and were in no hurry to reach the
hall
Eiaborate decorations with the national
esaefs predominant were in evidence.
Around the entire roof big flags, fianked
BY red. white and blue bunting. had been
feetooned. The eirders In the roof were
hidden BY white cloth.
The huge force OF workers which has
been getting the Coliseum in shape tolled
up 60 the very minute Of the convention
A small army OF policemen guarded the
entrances and no person was --Iowed TO APP
proach the big hall without showing Gre
aentials.
New Jersey and West Virginia had the
places Of honor, the seats directly In front
hind New Jersey.
Emphasizing their position that mo
party has a monopoly on patriotism" and
realizing that there are few people who
know the words of the national anthem, the
party managers distributed leaflets on
which was printed the entire song.
Small American flags were issued TO the
policemen and fremen on duty and about
the convention hall They pinned them
on their coats about their badges and the
spectators and delegates were quick to fol-
low their example.
LABELS ON COMMITTEEMEN.
The National Committee was massed on
the stage directly behind the speakers
stand. Zach member had his name and
State painted in bold letters on the back
OF his chair.
The stand of the convention chairman
jutted well out into the hall 1t was rallied
IN with iron piping and a great big square
Of oak wood had been mounted for gavel
use.
1t was hot in the hall even before the
delegates began to put in an appearance.
Outside the sky was overcast, but the hu
rnidity was high Men familiar with condi-
tions prophecied real sweltering day
when the convention holds its Friday night
session II there Is no change in the weather.
The band struck up rollicking march
coon after 10 o'clock. but 1t had hard work
drowning out the hammering of the
sergeant-atarms Martins was the first
convention official to reach the hall and
within a few moments he was surrounded
by delegates and officials sauabbling over
seating and admission arrangements.
The spectators filtered in slowly.
AMERICA FIRST" FANS
shieldiike fans. bearing the picture Of
President Wilson and the words "Ameri-
ca first." were distributed in the galleries
and 10 the delegates.
At ioa5 the blare of big brass band
proclaimed the arrival of the first organ |
lied rooters. II was the Cook County (Chl- |
cago) Democracy for whom seats had been |
provided In the main gallery. The march |
ers wore gray suits with straw hats, and |
all wore in their hats three-cornered white
cards on which was inscribed I'VE want
Roger Sullivan for Vice President
The arrival of the Chicagoans started
the influx of spectators. The Illinois band |
played Dixie" to the delight of a handful |
OF Southern delegates who had struggled In
Henry NJ. Pindell. of Peoria, ILL.,, began
an agitation today to have the convention |
invite President Wilson come and accept |
the nomination in person. Pindell took |