Evening star., 1924-06-27
DELEGATES BARRED
BY 'GATECRASHERS'
Usurpers Flood Convention
Hall to Join in Demon
stration for Smith.
WOMEN "JUST DROP IN"
Eli Candidates Endowed With
Wondrous Qualities in Nomi-
r.ating Speeches.
WOMEN "JUST DROP IN"
81 EoF:cRT Il. SMALL.


S&W YORK, June 27.-Those who
criticised the canned qualities of the
Repubiican convention at Cleveland
~esTainiy can have no complaint
as"ut this Democratic affair in Madi-
sou Square Garden. This convention
Is wide Opener has been There
was some attempt at Il tightening of
the lines today, but during the sue
cessiFe and almost continuous AL
Smith demonstrations of THURSDAY V
the bars apparently were down, and
some of the most remarkable sights
ever encountered in national po-
litical gathering were witnessed.
The fear of the McAdoo supporters
that the awarding of the convention
to New York City would result in an
effort to stampede or overawe the
delegates proved to have been well
founded. The persons who had a
right to be in the convention hall
were all but trampfed under foot.
The invasion from the outside was
limited only to the capacity Of the
garden to house d tightly pressed
moving human mass. Delegates were
compelled TO stand upon their chairs
IN order to be seen There was small
chance for them to be heard
senator Walsh of Montana yigor-
Gus prosecutor that he is, proved to
he long suffering permanent chair
man. For the greater part of the
time he viewed the tumult in what
seemed to be helpless amazement. 1t
was evident to all that the police and
the doorkeeperS of the convention had
violated all their pledges and instruc-
tlons and had opened the hall to the
smith demonstrants. including three
big brass bands and half hundred
banner carriers. SO, it was small
wonder that Mr.. Walsh, in a mild
voice, sad ii was evident many per-
sons who had no right to be there
had been admitted to the hall had
cIoEged the alSleS not only past all
possibility of orderly business, but in
violation of all fire rules to an extent
that placed in jeopardy every man
and woman in the building.
Patlence exhausted at last, toward
the close of six-and "a half hour
session Chairman Walsh said if the
disorder did not cease he would "en-
tertaln motion to move the con-
Ventlon away from New York. This
stern rebuke seemed to bring some
of the "outsiders" to their senses
and there was comparative calm for
time.
During this lull the writer looked
on at what was to him the most
amazing incident seen during twenty
years of convention reporting. Stand
ing In center aisle, in front of the
accredited delegates, were two Som-
en-. Evidently they had been shop
ping, for their arms were almost
filled with the usual bags and pack
ages of the woman who has spent a
couple of hours at the bargain
counters. There they stood gossip
ing, apparently oblivious to the sup
posedly historic scenes about them.
They wore no badges. possessed no
credentials. Apparently they had
been passing the garden and thought
they would drop in for a few minutes
on the way home. as it were 1t never
occurred to them that they were
helping to impede history. They
We're engrossed either in some neigh
borhood scandals or else were dis
cussing the bargains they had found
that morning in the shops. These
two women who ''strolled" into the
garden were the very best evidence
of the SlipShod manner in which the
convention had been handled Dele
gates, alternateS and others having
official business in the convention are
subjected to the closest scrutiny by
the police as they approach the gar
uti tlIli dIiStS bul lHt gaze CRASH
ers' appear to be welcome at all
times.
At no session of this convention
have the aisles on the floor been
clear of spectators. The passageway
in front of the platform generally is
banked five and six deep. There has
been no thought OF limiting the tick
cts to the seating capacity of the
convention hall. Democratic dele
gates are a long suffering lot. Their
conventions always have an air of
mismanagement about them. This is
due, of course. to the tremendous
pressure to get in. Republican con-
rentions. as a rule. are exceedingly
tame alongside the Democratic show.
and therefore there is comparison
between the pressure for tickets of
admission.