Evening star., 1923-12-09

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hotel representatives, who had planned
to appear here before the national COM
mittee next Tuesday to urge Chicagos
invitation, that in view of the desire
Of administration leaders for the selec-
tion of Cleveland he would withdraw
the Chicago invitation and 1t would be
unnecessary for them TO appear here.
Calls Mt White House.
During the day Representative Bur-
ton Of Ohio. one of the leaders in pre-
senting the claims of Cleveland for
the convention. called at the White
House and declared later that forty
members Of the national committee
had pledged themselves to maintain
an open mind pending the report of
the subcommittee on the selection
of the city next week.
For several months II has been
claimed that Chicago had the neces-
sary majority of the national commit
tee virtually pledged to secure the
convention. Chicago's formal invita-
tfon was presented by Mr.. Uphau a
few weeks ago. while that of CIeve-
land was presented by Representative
Burton, Carmi Thompson and other
prominent Ohioans.
The principal objection raised
against Chicago among committee
members was the hotel rates charged
in 1920. The subcommittee, however,
recently received assurances Of mod
crate rates. both from Chicago and
Cleveland and other contending cities.
Surprised by Decision
The support given Cleveland by
administration leaders. Representa-
tive Burton said, came as a surprise
and only late today. Chairman Ad-
q f,ft hn . eNxn Iln, y
Mulvane Of Kansas, head Of the sub
committee on the selection of a city,
and Charles D. Hilles national com
mitteeman for New York. it is under
stood, were influential in the admin
istration backing given Cleveland.
MIR. Adams is known to have ex-
pressed the belief that a change from
Chicago would be beneficial for the
republican party. and this point was
stressed by Representative Burton
and Carmi Thompson before the Null
vane subcommittee.
Mr. Thompson contended also that
the selection of Cleveland would be
in the nature of a memorial to the
late President Harding In Cleve-
lands behalf It was also pointed out
that five former Presidents were bur-
led in Ohio. and that republicans
pilgrimages to the Harding tomb at
Marion, Ohio. and also to the last
resting places of Presidents Garfield.
Harrison. Hayes and Mckinley.
Ohio Has No Candidate.
Cleveland's claim as A neutral bat
tleground also was advanced, the
Cleveland spokesmen declaring that
Ohio would have no republican pres
idential candidate this year. In this
connection Representative Burton
said tonight that If President Hard
ing had lived the convention would
not have gone to Cleveland He said
convention in his state, and was be-
lieved to have favored San Francisco
If Cleveland is selected, Represent
ative Burton said that the conven-
tion would be held in the mammoth
civic auditorium on the lake front
built by the city at an expense of
S7,000.000. 1t is in a projected civic
center. close to the leading hotels,
the business center. the courthouse
and other public buildings. It's
acoustic properties are said to be su-
perior to those of the Chicago Coli
scum. Large committee rooms for
the platform and other convention
bodies are available.
Fair Rates Promised.
Accompanying the Cleveland invita-
tion Is an agreement to bear all ex-
penses and written pledges that cur
rent hotel and restaurant rates will
prevail There is also a state law pro-
hibiting rate changes without notice.
Cleveland has had only one other
convention, in 1864. and this a COM
paratively minor one, a number of re-
pubiicans opposing Abraham Lincoln
Cochran.