The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-15

withdrawn" Glynn told the conven- tion, was the paramount question for the voters to decide.
 No lesser issue must cloud it," said he, mo unrelated problems must con fuse it."
 BUT LITTLE EXCITEMENT
 At 50 o'clock there were not more than 20 delegates on the floor, only a few officials the platform, and the galleries were filling slowly. There was little excitement, and bands that marched from downtown furnisher the only amuse- ment for the crowd.
 Carpenters were beating a tattoo in finishing touches upon the hall as the delegates filed in.
 The delegates and alternates had seats on the main floor, arranged like an ob long wedge, with the broad side toward the platform. Their seats were damned together, arrangements for both delegates and spectators being much more con gested than at either convention in Chi cago. The only picture that of President Wilson, was hung on the speakers stand. It was small reproduction of a photo graph. on a shield, with background of the American flag, and bore the inscrip- tion:
 America first"
 The Coliseum filled rapidly just before noon, some delay in the opening the doors to spectators preventing an earlier influx. The bands accompanied the dele gations but were not allowed to march into the hall There was little excitement or cheering during the half-hour preced- ing the opening of the convention.
 Moving picture machines and cameras were planted at every vantage point
 Because of the heat under a garing sky light many of the delegates removed their coats and it promised soon to become a coatless crowd
 The Texas delegation tossed miniature souvenir bales of cotton to the galleries.
 OPENING CONCERT BEGINS
 At Il AS the official band began the opening concert in accompaniment to a male quartet that sang new song about America through megaphones. The song brought the first applause of the day.
 Just before the convention was called to order the band struck Lp Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean, and the dele- gates rose, joining in the chorus and waving American flags.
 Dixie" brought roar, interrupted with the rebel yell.
 William J. Bryan was given an ovation as he took his seat in the pl ess section. The applause for him started in the gall leries and then spread to the delegates Mr. Bryan smiled his appreciation and got out his pencil and prepared for his reporters duties.
 Woody Tiger was sent to Chairman McCombs desk by a New York dele gate. The crowd was patient, orderly and quiet as it waited for the convention to begin A half hour after the time set for the start the delegations were still coming in and notables were taking seats on the platform. Chairman McCombs h; 1o,no and applause.
 A few thumps of his gavel on a wooden sounding board quickly secured order and he cried, 'The convention will be in order'
 One verse of America" was then sung by tine entire crowd, with tossing flags keeping the rhythm. This was followed by one verse of the Star Spangled Ban ner"
 The Rev. James w. Lee of St Louis, presiding elder of the Methodist Epis- copal church, offered prayet.
 immediately after the prayer Chairman McCombs delivered a brief address DEMONSTRATION FOR INCOMES
 The first real demonstration greeted MT. McCombs declaration:
 The elephant is dead, the moose is dead long live the American eagle.'
 J. Bruce kremer secretary of the na- tional committee, then read the formal call for the convention.
 When Chairman McCombs announced the temporary officers of the conven- tion selected by the national committee former Gov. Martin H. Glynn of New York, temporary chairman, was cheered. The full list of temporary officers was read and approved.
 Senator Reed of Missouri, Senator Tag gert of Indiana and Senator Pomerene uynr on ot,fo %@ porary Chairman Glynn to the chair When the cheering subsided MT. Glynn launched into his keynote speech.
 Governor Glynns declaration upon Amercanism and that the policy of the administration as to neutrality is as American as the American flag was given prolonged demonstration. When President Wilson the delegates rose en masse and cheered waving flags and whistling shrilly. The band joined in the demonstration
 Governor Glynn laughing vainly tried to quiet the delegates, but they were determined to have it out, the uproar al- ternately rising and ebbing. Further at tempts to stop the demonstration were answered by renewed cheering.
 MT. Glynn pounded his gavel trying to silence the throng, but soon the floor was again a sea of flags. The New Jer- sey delegation bearing it's stanchion be- gan the first procession down the front aisle Stanchions of Illinois, Maryland Indiana and other states soon followed
 The crowd got entirely out of hand, but police prevented a general participa- tion in the procession by ordering the delegates to their sections.
 When the demonstration had been go- ing on 15 minutes appeals were made to delegates to take their seats and let the speaker go on. They were answered by more noise.
 QUIET IS RESTORED
 Finally after 16 minutes quiet was re- stored and MT. Gynn went on.
 MT Glynn's long recital of efforts by President Wilson and former Presidents peace was frequently interrupted by ap- plause.
 "Go on! go on!" came shouts from the crowd.
 "All right, will hit them hard" Glynn answered.
 The crowd asked for more and more incidents in history in which various Presidents had settled diplomatic diff faculties without war
 When he told how many Presidents didn't go to war; and settled troubles by negotiation, he was repeatedly cheered.
 Do you want little more of it?'' he asked
 Yes" answered the delegates.
 MT. Glynn proceeded to recite incidents in diplomatic history in which war was