The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-06-08

who would be chosen for President ana the prospect of many ballots, everyone was talking of getting away by Satur- day That bottle in the valise. even un- der the rule that required the taking Of | not more than one or two drinks at once. would not last beyond Saturday The bottles marked the natural limits of the convention. It would be lntoler- able here after the last drop was gone. It would be hard to keep the crowds after that moment with hotel prices hlgh and liquor difficult to obtain at fancy convention prices.
 Whisky is difficult to obtain, though not impossible. It is not served in cups as coffee, as it is in some other places Proba bly Chicagoans who are known ana know the way about can obtain it by the drink but not the delegates. Whisky by the bottle is, of course. to be had, but at prices rising up. Before the conven- tion the ruling price here was S a quart In anticipation of the convention it rose to SIP. Probably it is twice that now and even at those quotations 1t IS hard for the stranger to find.
 Two views of the effects of prohibi- ton on the convention prevail. The "drys'' point to the convention good or der and auietness They say it will not only be more seemly but more business like: that in spite of the difficulties be- fore the delegates the job to be done here will be done quickly and in a bust- nesslike fashion. The "wets" say little liouor would make everybody more mel low and ready to compromise Agree ments could be reached easier around a | table where there was plenty of drink. Whisky in the past has been a. sort of universal solvent at party conventions. | Whatever conflicts existed were settled over a bottle, and there certainly aren t | bottles enough here to settle all the is
 sues and doubts that trouble this con- vention.
 l The absence of booze hasn't reduced l the foolishness of the convention All or l the old claptrap and nonsense is being continued. Candidates have to maintain | expensive headquarters The cost Of the Eliza abethan room which Wood has is va riously estimated at 5000 to $25,0O0 for | the period of the convention. The large figure is doubtless an exaggeration. due | to the general respect for Colonel Proc- tors pocketbook. There are the usual | flags and buntings. l There is the ballyhoo business about Johnson's headquarters which IS always | found at conventions. When nominations
 begin no doubt all the old trumped up
 enthusiasm will be displayed. Candi dates names will be cheered by half
 hours and hours, the cheering being or ganized and meaning nothing. The ! marching around the convention floor carrying the banners of the states Will go on the same as ever. It does nol | take booze to keep that going on. All this does not change a vote. But it Is a part of the ceremonial of cheering can didates. The conventions of conven- | tion are as definite as the ritual of a church. Perhaps they will be more hore- some when the contents of one bottle
 have to be spread over whole week Probably the general view grows witl l that of a certain senator, who said "Of course, I was against drunkenness | I was against the saloon. Everybody was But I don't think we ought te
 have prohibited the blessed stuff alto ] gether."