Great Falls daily tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1895-1921, 1920-06-29

1 SClm0Dlai OF MS party Ialtn Anu prlde
in the man who has led it for seven
troublesome years.
Arrangements for the first national
| political convention to be held In the far
west had been well laid The great hall,
its clean architectural lines almost un-
marred by added decorations, was ready
and through dozen wide entries the
thousands poured in with little delays or
congestion. They found wide octa-
gonal space awaiting them. with mas
sive organ rearing its stockade of pipes
above the platform and the other side
rising to a far line of seats under high
windows framing squares of California's
bluest skies.
Over the center of the hall where dele
gates sat rallied within wide square of
seats, an inner ceiling was suspended
| colored in soft, old blue that rested the
eye and lent something of quiet dignity
to the scene. Below, forest of stout
standards bearing the names of the
states and territories, was the only re-
minder Of national conventions of the
past.
Perched high beside the organ in
special gallery a military band whiled
away the time.
Attention" SQUADS
AS the convention hour and the OPEN
ing time approached. color guard Of
marines appeared on the platform. Al
six foot sergeant, with the cleaning
folds of regimental flag in bis hand,
made a vivid spot of color on the plat
form. At his side stood the armed mona
commissioned officers Of the coloS
guard and with them two marine buglerx
When Vice Chairman Kremer, of tbs
national committee gave the signal, q
buger sounded attention" the sharp
staccato call rang out over the uproan
of conversation.
The first notes cf the Star Spangled
Banner rang out from the band and orJ
gan together and as the delegates, alters
mates, spectators and attendants stood in
tribute, a monster flag dropped from tho
ceiling to form wall of color behind
the platform. 1t obscured the view of the
band gallery and organ loft. but as il
fell. the booming tones of the organ rose
from behind it with majestic thunder Of
the national anthem. From floor and galS
leries delegates and spectators joined in
the mighty tones.
The Dramatic Incident
Then came the touch which set the
convention off with a wild shout of ex-
altation, The great flag was gathered
slowly upward in it's sheath and as il
rose, it uncovered a flag draped illumin-
VI IPSluFHt NIiSUu pldCFb
high against the great pipes of the organ,
For a moment there was a breathless
pause. Then came the tumult.
A wild shouting from the floor. II
was caught up and echoed from side to
side. Rising with hysterical force. the
sound grew and grew, formless boneless
thing that had in it something that stirred
the blood and stirred the emotions. Del
egates leaped on their chairs, waving
and shouting They stampeded into the
aisles, jostling, cheering in packed
mass before the platform.
Women composed great part of the
spectators in the visitors gallery.
The song leaders also were on the job
early all primed with material.
Political parodies on popular airs
printed on leaflets were scattered among
the delegates and visitors.
'sThe long, long Trail Smiles"
"Over There and "Where Do We Go
From Here" all were supplied with
words of political meaning predicting
Democratic harmony in the convention
and victory at the polls.
Fair co-eds ushered the women dele,
gates to their seats and the men mostly
took their chances on finding their own
Banners, flowers, and California fruits
were all through the hall.
Auditorium Reflttsd
Completely refitted for the convention
the great auditorium presented fins
picture of neatness and polish unusual
in convention halls.
The big dome which hitherto had
been handicap to acoustics was cut
off with q new false ceiling of drab col.
ored canvas decorated In black and white
L (Continued on PAgs Thirteeny