Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1923-04-16

TIME tower Of Babel had abso-
lutely nothing on the lobby
at Memorial Continental Hall
when the first stream of dele
| gates. alternates and visitors started
pouring into the convention head
quarters of the u. A. L. this morning.
SardineS in can were not packed
tighter than those in the lobby at
times. From the whole ensemble
arose an indescribable tumble of dis
cordant chattering, which gave the
effect Of great and unmitigated con-
fusion.
The new arrangement OF an infor-
nation committee. however, served
valiautly in bringing order out of
threatened chaos. The committees
outposts were everywhere. Long be
fore the congress got actually under
way the information committees
scouts had started the incorners filing
through the corridors in orderly lines
| directing them to the places they
wished to go.
There are 142 pages at this years
congress. These girls are selected
from virtually every state OF the
Union, and. as usual, formed one OF
the most attractive groups attending
the congress. The customary regu-
lation uniforms of white again pre-
vailed this year. A decided increase
is noted in the number of bobbed-halr
pages over last years short locked
maids.
Although il was thought that the
new administration building erected
ar the rear of the Memorial Con-
tinental Hall would have a decided
effect in offsettinG congestion at the
convention this year, prospects look
ed rather dull for smooth working
efficiency this morning. When 1900
women make ready to gather to-
gether. it seems, there is practically
no limitation on the facilities needed
to grant accommodations in all quar-
tiers. For instance. the large admin
this year, giving almost double the
floor space provided for last year.
Nevertheless. at the registration
booth in the new administration
more lined up at one time to get
their credentials. This condition
prevailed until about half an hour
before the congress went into ses
sion. At thai time, il seemed, some
one waved a fairy wand and every
thing started working smoothly. The
new building, on the whole. serves
as a vast Improvement and illustrates
this year the utter impossbility of
handling another such crowd as last
years in accommodations limited as
they We're then.
The weather of Washington came
in for some decidedly antagontstic
comment from delegatioans from the
north during the corridor gossip
hour. The delegation from Massa-
chusetts especially, who brought
with them their summer apparel, in
f.,s,N. to-,
sun kissed days. had some very per-
tinent remarks for WASHINGTON
climate. When they arrived Satur-
day it was raining. Saturday night
it was hailing. All day yesterday
the outside was as inviting as
scarlet fever germ. And early this
morning there was still a nippy tang
in the air. which brought furs to
the reinforcement Of protective
measures against the weather.
The Maine delegation also expert
enced some summer weather passing
through Massachusetts, only to fall
plump into the arms of Boreas, with
icicles on his whiskers. on reaching
the National Capital. The District Of
Columbia delegation is standing
staunch and firm in defense of wash.
ington weather, however, predicting
that from today forward the dele
gates will find conditions ideal.
vention of the D. A. r. would pre-
sent an interesting topic The soft,
velvety drawl of Alabama and Mis-
sissippi mingles with the clean
clipped, semi-nasal twang Of the New
Englander. and the distinctly western
accent in all it's notifications occu
pied an entirely different status. This
is noticed especially in speeches by
persons from different localities. To-
night there will be an additional treat
for those few who specialize on Ian
guage. when Ambassador Jules J. Jus
serand of France will address the
congress in his superb but accented
English, and when Ambassador Geddes
of Great Britain takes the platform
for a speech in the purist mother
tongue.
The veteran D. A. r. fire guards
Top Sergt J. w. Allen Of No. ! en-
CINE company and Private J. s. Trod
den of No. % engine company. are
again on duty at the congress They
| occupied this position last year and
this morning were greeted by a num-
Der of acquaintance made last year