New-York tribune., 1920-06-11

with Senator Smoot and others who
| had been working on the document
| The crowd realized that the period of
waiting was over and also recognized
"Jim" Watson, who proceeded to pre-
sent the report. They gave him a re-
cepton Of cheers.
Free Speech Declaration Cheered
The convention got its first real .hrill
when Senator Watson, reading the
platform, struck the plank which de-
cared for free speech and free assem-
bly,, but added that no advocacy of
violent overthrow Of the governme MT
or resistance to the law was to be toll
Grated There were cheers when he
struck that, and the convention rose
and waved flags.
His mention of the name of Theo-
dore Roosevelt in connection with con-
servation laws brought out another
demonstration.
The foreign relations plank was the
one the convention was waiting for,
with its references to the peace treaty.
Attention frightened as Senator Watson
reached that part of the platform. 1t
its attack on President Wilson's con-
duct of relations south of the Rio
Grande and let out cheer when SEN
ator Watson started the portion refer
ring to the league Of nations.
The delegates followed him closely
as he read the denunciation of the
league of nations as brought home
from Paris by President Wilson, and
the cheers broke out before he could
finish the phrases on which the con-
fiicting elements of the party here
have been at odds for the last three
days.
Senator Watson finished the reading
of the resolutions to the accompani-
ment of burst Of cheering.
Substitute Plank Showed Under
Edwin j. Gross, of Milwaukee, one
of Wisconsin's delegates t-large, ap-
peared to offer a substitute platform
1t came out flatfootedly against the
league of nations, called for govern
ment ownership Of railroads and other
national Industries. 1t was voted down
by the thirteen thousand who were
crowded into the Coliseum.
The galleries, which had more than
their fair share Of Chicagoans, listened
to Gross's substitute with jeering good
humor until he came to this plank:
"We declare for the gradual ac-
q quisition by 1 the government of the
"No' No. No! MOI" shouted back
Chicago.
Senator Lodge reached forward and
banged his gavel
The galleries kept up their roar of
"No! No! No! MOI"
For several minutes Chicago roared
its defiance at the man from ,Milwau-
kee, who would touch her sacred
stockyards. At last exhausted tenn
rorarily, Chicago ceased and Senator
Lodge said:
'"The galleries will be cleared if
there is any further interference with
the business of the convention"
Cries of "Sit Down
This quieted the galleries for
minute. Mr.. Gross fought back the
crowd, however, telling them that they
we're in need of lesson in free speech
And the crowd howled derisively at the
speaker
From the moment Gross made his ap-
pearance, Immediately after Senator
Watson read the platform, he was
greeted with cries of "Sit down."
The crowd had been led to expect
that Immediately after the platform
was adopted the various candidates
would be put in nomination. So it
did not want to sit through any pre-
limnarcs. 1t was waiting for the
main bout.
"Mr. Gross has as much right to be
heard as any other delegate" said
Senator Lodge, stepping forward to
quiet the crowd.
This was greeted with applause.
"He has right to read his minority
report, signed by himself" added
I Lodge.
This took the galleries fancy, and
they set up a mighty laugh
"My plank on the league of nations"
said Mr.. Gross, "is the plank of the
majority of the members Of the COM
mittee. They so informed me when
they adopted the other. And if you
want to come out against the Wilson
eague Of nations, adopt this substitute
report"
But Mr.. Gross's plank, which also
called for disarmament and excluded
from any association of nations any
nation which adhered TO the doctrine
Of compulsory military training, was
Kissed as he finished reading each pro-
vision.
The whole substitute was voted
down.
Minority Report Showed Under
Edwin ]. Gross, of Milwaukee, one
Of the Wisconsin delegates large, ap-
peared to offer minority report on
the peace plank. Evidently some of
UHc QeleSateS QlQnt want TO near HIM.
There were shouts and some scattering
Kisses as Senator Lodge asked the con-
vention to listen to what Gross had to
say.
"Ill get the best order can for you"
said Senator Lodge, in an aside to
Gross, "but I'm afraid it WON'T be
much"
Senator Lodge served notice on the
galleries, that they would be cleared
If further Interruptions followed
With that things quieted down and
Gross went on with his minority re-
port.
Cries of "Socialist!" greeted Gross
when he finished. Senator Lodge i'm
mediately called for vote on sub
stituting the Gross report for the re-
port OF the Resolutions Committee. 1t
was rejected by rolling chorus of
noes.
With a south wind bringing sultry
air, the Coliseum was a most uncom-
Portable spot. Delegates, alternates
and spectators-all colors and creeds--
mopped their moist faces, berated the
weather man, and wondered aloud
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