Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-05-23
PEN PICTURE OF
COLISEUM GIVEN
Famous Chicago Convention Hall is
MinuteIy Described-Has Seat
ing Capacity of 12,4OO.

The Chicago Coliseum, where the
republican national convention of 1876
will be held, beginning June Z, has a
history rich in political interest. More
national political conventions have
been held in it than in any other
building in the United States.
Three republican national conven-
tons have been held within its walls
and it vas there also that the progress
sive parry, in 1912, held its first ma
tional convention and nominated Co
lionel Theodore Roosevelt for presl-
dent. The republicans nominated their
presidential ticket in the Chicago Col
iseum in 1904, 1908 and 1912.
The building was designed as a
model convention hall but later adap-
ted to broader uses. 1t was built by
Charles F. Gunther and several husi-
ness associates on the site Of the old
Libby Prison War Museum, at va
bash avenue and Fifteenth street, less
than a mile from the hotel and retail
shopping district.
The castellated walls Of the Old war
prison were used for the Wabash ave-
nue. side of the structure. 1t was
built of stone, brick. steel and glass
and was finished in 1900. The build
ing is 403 feet long, 10 feet wide and
10 feet high and cost nearly 81 ,000,-
900. 1t has a wide balcony extending
around three Of the walls and is we'll
lighted and ventilated.
For this years convention two adj
ditionaI balconies with seats for 1872
persons have been built between the
main floor and the regular balcony.
This gives a total seating capacity OF
12.400. of which 9,400 seats are on the
main floor and 5000 in the balconies
The crowds will enter through four
main doors on the Wabash avenue
side. There are % exits There will
be 100 doorkeepers and 100 ushers, IN
addition to a large special detail OF
police to handle the great crowds. The
seating arrangements will follow the
general plan of former conventions
although several changes have been
made and it is believed will add to
the comfort and convenience of the
delegates and visitors.
The speakers platform, 20 feet lone
and 40 feet wide, is at the south end
of the building 1t will provide seats
for the officers of the convention and
members of the republican national
committee. Suspended over the stand
is a specially designed sounding
board. 1t consists of an inverted con-
caved pyramid built of wood with the
apex over the head of the presiding
odicer. II is designed to throw the
voice through the hall. Directly il
the rear of the speakers stand is q
raised platform with 1000 seats fol
the use of presidential candidates and
other distinguished guests. On either
side of the speakers platform, eX'
tending the entire width of the build.
| ing, is a press section. containing 55S
seats, for working newspaper men.
In front of the speakers stand are
| the seats for the 99l delegates anC
back of these is the space set aside
| for the seating OF the alternates. The
section reserved for delegates and al.
| ternates is enclosed with a heavy rail
| The rest Of the main floor and all the
| balconies will be used for seats t
accommodate the crowds Of visitors.
Adjoining the Coliseum to the soatl
is an annex three stories high, IN
feet deep and with frontage of abou
| 100 feet on Wabash avenue. 1t il
connected with the main building b!
several broad entrances
In the basement of the annex, a
the south end of the main building
and near the speakers stand is tn
telegraph and telephone room, wher'