New Britain herald., 1916-06-14
Chairman of National C( mittGG Says DGmOGI
 Represent Only Els Worth While, American
INVITES ALL TO
 ENTER THE FOI

Accuses Republicans of Cloa
 Their Iniquity With Judicial
 and Going After "Swag"-
 Moose and Elephant Are DeadH
 Concludes By Shouting
 Live the American Eagle"
 St. Louis, June 14-At 11:30 tM were a few delegates an less 8 a hundred spectators in their S ready for the opening of the d% cratic national convention today
 At 11:20 o'clock, forty minutes fore time for the convention toa called to order, there were not than twenty delegates on the
 only a few officials on the platf8 and the galleries were filling slf There was little excitement and bR that marched with the delegaN from down town furnished the amusement for the crowd. Carpenters were beating a tatt3 finishing touches upon the hallR the delegates filed in.
 The delegates and alternates seats on the main floor, arranged a huge oblong wedge, with the side toward the platform. Their were damned together, arranged l for both delegates and spectator l ing much more congested thars | either convention in Chicgao.
 The only picture of President son was hung on the speakers sA It was a small reproduction da photograph, on a shield with a
 ground of the flag, anG pore thu { scription America First" Small flags were distributed x of the delegates, Cheers for Bryan. June IA, 12:17 D. m.-Bryark tered and was received with 1 longed cheers. The national committee has a l ed a design for a campaign ba l suggested by National Committed l Mclean of North Carolina. It a picture of President Wilson the motto America first in l letters. The coliseum filled rapidly jusA fore noon, some delay in opening doors preventing spectators from Her influx. The bands accompaA delegates to the hall but were nc5 lowed to march into it. Therea little excitement or cheering dIs the half-hour preceding the op9 of the convention.
 Moving picture machines and N eras were placed at every vaTA point.
 A CoatIess Convention.
 Because of the heat, under a ing skylight, many of the deIeA removed their coats and it pronH soon to become a coatIess crowd
 Texas delegation tossed minisH souvenir bales of cotton to the leries.
 At 11:45 the official band ba the opening concert in accomrs ment to a male quartet that sad new song about America thrA megaphones, The song broughtE first applause of the day.
 Columbia" and .'Dixie"
 Just before the convention E called to order the band struck Columbia, the Gem of the OcS and the delegates rose, joining in chorus and waving American falA
 Dixie" brought a roar, interru with the rebel yell
 William J. Bryan was given an 8 tion as he took his seat in the section. MT. Bryan smiled his apa citation, got out his pencil and prepW for his reportorial duties.
 A Woody" Tiger was sent to C1 man McComb's desk by the New N delegation.
 A half hour after the time setH the start the delegations still " coming in and notabIes were ta seats on the platform.
 Chairman McCombs took his rh at his desk at 12:30 amid cheers K applause.
 A feW humps or his gaval oiH wooden sounding board quickly K cured order, and he cried The conA ton is in order"
 One verse of America" was sung by the entire crowd. with ts ing flags keeping the rhythm. was followed by one verse of Star spangled Banner
 Rev. James w. Lee, Methodist n copal clergyman of St Louis, prayer.
 McComb's speech.
 In calling the convention to ork Chairman McCombs spoke as folloS
 We are in an atmosphere of
 (Continued On Fourteenth PagsM