The Washington herald., 1920-06-29
Conuention Launched Under
Lash Of Wilson Amid Cheers
And Minor Party Setos

the convention halls rear rows
seemed to place them about as far
from the speakers platform as n
they were In another State. How
ever, when Chairman Homer 5. Cum.
mings, of the Democratic National
Committee. started delivering the
keynote speech OF the convention.
his voice carried to every part OF
the building.
Women Cheer Recognition.
Women throughout the building
greeted with cheers the announce
ment that California and Illinois
women had been selected as assist
ant secretaries, and the appointment
of a woman as one OF the escort
committee of three to conduct no
mer Cummings to the chair after the
temporary organization had peen
voted permanent.
81 appoint the following commit
tee to escore the chairman to the
chair: Senator James ID. Phelan. OF
California; Gov. Alfred e. Smith, OF
New York. and Mrs. Helen GrenfeH.
of Colorado" said Kremer. And
while the band struck up The stars
and Stripes Forever" Mrs. Grenfell.
accompanied by Phelan and Smith,
presented herself to the chairman
elect Cummings arose from the
Connecticut delegation and marched
up the aisle, his hand on Mrs. Gren-
fell's arm. He was warmely greeted
a moment later when Kremer pre-
scented him formally to the conVen-
tion as the chairman.
Cummings delivery was trine
hesitant during the opening OF MS
keynote speech, but he responded TO
cries of louder, louder" from vari-
Gus parts of the auditorium by rails
ing his voice to a pitch that carried
II sonorously to the outermost OF
the vast, silent audience. For. save
when IL interrupted the speaker to
applaud vigorously some sentiment
which caught popular favor. his au-
dience paid Cummings the compli-
ment of exceedingly close attention.
Holds Strict Attention.
Cummings began his address at
1:l2 and finished at 2:i4 during all
of which time he carried his audi
ence with him.
Not the least impressive part of
the address was the speakers ar
raignment of how President Will
son had been prosecuted by heart
less partisans" in Congress while
he lay sick and helpless in the
White House.
Not one sympathetic resolution
was passed." he exclaimed.
shame on them" came in indig-
nant protest from various parts OF
the assemblage.
Another dramatic incident came
when Cummings cried:
"Of all the nations OF the world,
do you want to know those which
have not ratified?"
"Yes, yes" was the shouted reply.
We'll, here they are" said the
speaker:
Revolutionary Mexico, Bolshevik
Russia, Unspeakable Turkey and the
United States"
Wild yelling ensued as the dele
gates sprang to their feet, the band
aiding in demonstration which
lasted full minute.
Cummings was heckled during his
keynote speech by an Irish sympa-
thizer. In the course of his address,
the national chairman, in discussing
the league of nations. said:
THE purpose of the league of ma
tions is to give notice that IL any
nation raises its bloody hand and
seeks to cross the line into another
country, the forces of civilization
will be aroused to suppress the COM
mon enemy of peace"
Irish Asked to wait.
How about Ireland" shouted
someone in the gallery.
Cummings paused, glanced toward
the speaker and. and shaking a fin
ger in that direction, responded:
I'll reach that in a moment"
Good" came the gallery.
Another interruption came when
the speaker declared 1t was our
friendly right under the covenant of
the league to protect and act as
counsel for weak nations.
why don't you protest the tyran-
ny of Ireland" cried a woman whose
seat was among the alternates.
That's the point" retorted Cum
mings. I'VE are not members Of the
league"
Efforts to induce the woman to re-
veal her name were unavailing.
Cummings was visibly wearied by
the effort of delivering his long ad-
dress but the great ovation accorded
him appeared to chase some of the
WEAKNESS away. for his face was
wreathed in smiles as convention