Vernon Parish Democrat. (Leesville, La.) 1917-193?, 1919-11-01
CONVENTION CITIES
TO Be Named soon
NATIONAL COMMITTEES OF THE
BIG PARTIES WILL SELECT
THEM IN DECEMBER.
CHICAGO AND ST. LOUIS LEAD
Many Others viii Submit Their
ms-catherings to Nominate
Next President Probably Win Be
Early in June.
Rx JAMES ?. HoRNApAY.

tees of the two political parties are
already beginning to prepare for next
years presidential campaign. The
: first actual step by either of the old
party committees will be to select a
convention city. Each committee will
do this at a meeting which will be
held here about the middle of De-
cember. Having decided where the
convention will be held, as well as
the convention date, each committee
viii issue the formal call for the con-
vention. Custom dictates that the
party that is not represented by the
occupant OF the White House shall
hold its convention first, and unless
this custom shall be disregarded the
Republicans will meet at least one
week, and probably two weeks, in adj
vance Of the Democrats.
In 1915 the conventions were held
about two weeks earlier than ever be-
fore, the Republicans meeting on June
at Chicago and the Democrats on
June Ia at st. Louis, and the represent
atives Of the parties seem to like the
idea Of getting the nominations out
OF the way early in June. SO it is gem
orally assumed members Of the ma
tonal committees say, that the con-
Yentions next year will be over by the
middle OF June, or soon thereafter.
Many cities already have let 1t be
known that they would like to enter
tain one or both Of the old party
conventions. Chicago and st. Louis
have come to be known as favorite
political convention cities, and the pol
iticians express the view that it is al
together likely that one of these cit
les and possibly both Of them win be
favored next year.
Among the cities from which the
party chairmen have received invita-
lions which they win submit to the
December meetings are Cleveland, In
dianapOlfs. Minneapolis, Kansas City
and Denver. At least two Pacific
coast cities, Los Angeles and Port
land. have indicated that they win in
due time let it be known that they
also win extend invitations.
Chosen City Must Pay the Bill.
The city that takes care Of a ma
tional political convention must obll-
gate itself to pay the bills Of the con-
vention. This rule has been followed
for good while. This does not mean
that the city becomes responsible for
the hotel bills or other expenses of
the delegates, but It does mean that ii
must provide the hall free OF cost and
take care of the legitimate expenses
Of the national committee The situa-
tion is usually met by the city turn
ing over to the national committee a
cash sum sufficient to cover the le-
climate convention expenses.
Next years conventions will contain
the same number of delegates that sat
IN the conventions in 1915. The num-
Der Of delegates from each state is
based OF the number Of senator's and
representatives the state has in con-
gress and although new census will
be taken In January next year, the re-
apportionment for congressional pur-
poses viii not be made in time to af-
feet the political conventions.
Reducing Army TO Peace HasIs.
The army of the United States
has been reduced to almost its
normal strength. 1t now numbers
about $4,000 men and $4,000 OH
GERS. The high water mark Of the war
was reached November IL, last year,
the day that the armistice was signed,
when the payroll Of the array contain
ed the names Of S.67O8s8 men. A bill
signed by the president the other day
provides that there shall not be more
than $1,000 commissioned officers from
October 8, 1919, until June 80. 1920.
This means that 10000 officers must
be let out. The legislation which the
president Mas just approved also au-
thorizes the secretary Of war to re-
tain such others as may be necessary
in grades above their present rank.
Difficult as the process Of building
up the army has been, the tearing
down and shaping into a peace time
organization Is q more dIaicult mat
ter. The difficulties Of adjustment have
been Increased BY the uncertainties Is
10 the future military policy Of the
government, the Inadequaey Of nav in
The face Of the high cost OF living and
the failure Of all classes to realize
that economies must be promptly mef.
ia peace there cannot be permitted
the latitude ia the use Of officers that
As necessary 81 war and the rank ana
promotion Of oflcers must be governed
BY consideration Of length Of service.
experience and general value 10 the
military establishment as well as 81
accomplishments during the war
Tsr Thouaand Must Go.
- anticipation Of the passage 81
IRE Btu providing for l8o00 oficers.
the war department allotted this harn-
sier of oficsFs to vaFfous commando
and military ectisities 81 tie army Il
hons end abroad TIE totai numba
81 oalcezs thst may be retained 81 ans
command or activity Cor ths time IS.
eng red end ne eonn1nn 1fnr -.