New Britain herald., 1920-06-08
Sentiment FaVors Lodge for
 Permanent Chairman
NEW GENERATION PRESENT
Oid-Ifme Political Bosses Conspic- uous by Their AbSence-Sons of Among NotabIcs Present Today.

Chicago, June s.-Forty minutes before the republican convention was due to open the band struck up and the delegations began getting into po- sition. The hall was filling rapidly and many of the notables were arriv- ing. There was a marked absence of confusion. The old-tfmers said it looked almost as tame as four years ago.
 Unlike former conventions the ONt Guard came early. In the old days they were the last to arrive, being held back by conferences. As many or the leaders took their seats with out causing a ripple of excitement the band played a mournfuI air.
 Many women delegates and alter mates were on the floor.
 Connecticut Seats in Front.
 The seating arrangements were al- together different from what they were four years ago In the front rows were delegations from Cali. fornia, North Dakota, Arkansas. Con- necticut. Colorado and Virginia.
 The platform was slow in filling up. Apparently the leaders were in con- ference elsewhere to determine what was to be done on the question of permanent organization. The women delegates were eagerly sought by the scouts of the campaign managers and held quite nandsnaking affair of their own. They seemed to be enjoy ing their first participation in na- tfona1 convention. The delegates and alternates continued % pour>jn at all the doors The galleries were filled carly with the fortunate ones wigo managed to get in.
 The opening moments were spent in informal conferences among the delegates on the floor and renewals of old acquaintances.
 Generally the condition in the hall was quiet. Nobody seemed to have any more definite idea of how things were going to line up than they did last week.
 Twenty minutes before the hour set for the opening the crowd was still streaming in. It was not till then the electric lights were turned on, throwing into relief the thousands of American flags that comprised the only decorations. The floor was about half filled at that time.
 The only decoration on the plat form was a big vase of American Beauty roses.
 Lodge May Be Retained.
 Up to the moment Temporary Chairman Lodge left his hotel for the Coliseum there had been no final de- on the question of per manent organization and it was said the chances were good of making the organization permanent, , k.,, Moreover, it would dispose of the danger of engendering i'll feeling ps a contest such as has been going on by supporters of Senator Bever- idge of Indiana and Senator Medill Mccormick of Illinois. Advocates of the two different organizations con- tinued to wage their fight, however, and National Chairman Hays was understood to favor Senator McCor- mick.
 The gathering audience began to show the first signs of animation when the band struck up The Stars and Stripes Forever" Whistlers in some parts of the visitors galleries accom- panied the band. The first applause that swept the hall came at the con- clusion of this national selection.
 From the Stars and Stripes the band swung into "DardaneIla' and there was a prompt response with shuffling feet and al suggestion of shimmy from some of the negro delegates from Tennessee.
 When Senator Lodge reached the hall he took a seat in the Massachu- setts delegation space. where he found Speaker Gillett talking with friends. and they had a brief confer ence. Fred Upham, the national treasurer. joined the conference and the three men had their heads to- gether for several minutes.
 Roosevelt Arrives.
 Lieut. Col Theodore Roosevelt was among the early platform arrivals. At II o'clock, the hour set for the opening the Nand was playing "The Sunshine of a-our Smile," but very few people wets smiling. There wael no move tpEcaI1 the convention, to, order aud t(ui11l ()ns~>>
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