Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-06-09
CHICAGO THRONGS
LIVELY AS EVER
But Lack OF Sustained Enthu-
siasm at Coliseum Caused
Much Explanation
CROWD sTAMPEDE.P PROOF

Chicago, June o.--Thc crowds the
thing.
Tn the hotel lobbics yesterday morning
" was like Louisville on Kentucky
Derby day. At the Coliseum in the aft
ernoon il was as a first night audienc"
at Broadway opening for an unknown
playwright. Last night on Michigan
boulevard il was a state fair throng in
the Middle West.
There was more talk Of that crowd g
attitude at the convention opening than
OF candidates. Many people had come
70 Chicago confident of observing un-
e1amplcd enthusiasm. They regarded
the Republican hour as having struck.
They expected to see cheering. laugh
lug. bubbling crowd at the Coliseum
ehen Chairman Hays raped his gavel,
They saw nothing of the sort.
A professional cheer leader had diff
culty getting the crowd TO unloosen for
the preliminaries. The greeting to Mr..
Hays subsidized very rapidly when he
extended his arms. There was none OF
that bowling expression Of idol worship
that made the entrances on the floor Of
political giants of other days such at
fractions.
II is the same old Chicago the same
old Coliseum it was not the same old
convention. Many explanations were
offered of the unwillinguess of the crowd
70 unbcnd. They differed according to
the personal whim of the informant.
Men who had come to conventions for
many years argued that it takes q ses-
zion or two 20 get things warmed up.
Again, the spirits OF the crowds at
trnding the Republican conventions Of
1912 and 1916 were held TO have been
In marked contrast TO that manifested
yesterday. even though the democrats
we're more demonStrativc at 81. Louis
four years ago than the Republicans
were here that year. There was no wild
demonstration even when Mr.. Hays told
how the Republicans would win by at
least 3. 200, COO votes this fall.
In many quarters il was believed the
Coliseum would be stampede proof
should the convention retain the state
of mind IL exhibited. Senator William
r. Borah. Of Idaho. did not agre" with
that view. He suggested the conven =
ton attitude simply was the lull before
the storm He added there were
plenty of men on the floor in fighting
spirit. II am very pugnactous myself.
he said.
The crowd around the hotels is full
Of pep. The camp followers OF both
sexes are no less numerous than before
The souvenir salesman on the street. the
button distributor around hcadquar
ters, the busy tipster with the INSIDE
stuff'-all are just as active as ever
Soft drinks are sold to cheerless groups
Of two or three in the once. popular
bars. There is greater sobricty. bu
only slightly less drinking. Here AM
there a merry barkeep," ignoring tn
Nclstead act. is hailed as a dark hors
and favorite son.
The chatter differs from that pre-
ceding prize fight of the Willard
Dempsey type. 1t is more difused tina,
at race track. where every starter ha
supporters and feed box" tips ar
passed around with liberality. So ia
as is apparent there is very little bet
ting on the nomination. Some few
wagers have been made between friends
In opposite camps as regards csndi,
dates.