The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-07
SOCIALISTS MAY BACK NEW GROUP Question Is Turned Over To Committee Of
 Fifteen PARTY CONVENTION IS OPENED SUNDAY Business To Await Decis- ion On Action Toward
 LaFollette TICKET QUESTION FIRST ON PROGRAM Whether Or Not To Enter Field In November
 Undecided
PARTY CONVENTION
 IS OPENED SUNDAY
TICKET QUESTION
 FIRST ON PROGRAM
tBy AssocIated Press.l

CLEVELAND, Ohio, July G. The attitude to be taken by the so- cialist party of America toward the presidential candidacy of Senator Robert M. LaFollette and the rela- tions of this party to the conference for progressive political action came sharply to the front at the start today of the party's national con vention.
 A committee, consisting of 15 of the leading socialists of the party, was appointed and instructed to re- port by o'clock tomorrow morn- ing, in order that the question could be made special order of business and cleared before the other activi- ties of the convention are taken up. Upon the decision of this ques- ton will depend whether the so- cialists will have a national ticket of their own in the field for the November election.
 The committe tonight decided by g vote of IS to 20 to recommend to the constitution that it indorses the candi- dacy of LaFollette. Close cooperation with the progressive conference in the national campaign also was recom- raendeds s
 The action of klss eanRent ton pAs tlli. prVbi6ni 0vershadowed the ether d0- ings Of the opening session. Mayor Daniel H0an of Milwaukee, who WIS elected chairman, had hardly time to wield the gavel before motion was made by Cameron H. King, California, that a committee of nine be appointed to formulate a proposal on the reia- tions between the party and the con- ference.
 Berger Heads Committee
 This committee afterward was in- creased to fifteen and following the nomination of g delegates, these were elected
 Congressman Victor Berger, Wiscon- sin; Morris Hilquitt, New York; Judge Jacob Panken, New York; Cameron H. King. California Joseph w. Sharts, Ohio; c. A. Hoehn, Missouri; Lena M Lewis, California; Emma Henry, h. diana; Joseph D. Cohen, Pennsylvania {; c. Duncan, Wisconsin James O'Neal, New York; George E. Roewer, Jr., Massachusetts John Collins, Illinois !; George H. Goebel, New Jersey; w. R. Snow, Illinois.
 The speed with which the conven- ton started work was, emphasized by the absence of any keynote speech or any other traditional national conven- 1, tion ceremony. Mrs. Bertha Hale White, executive secretary of the party, rapped for order and called the roll of dele gates. The convention organized with 210 accredited delegates from % states and elected Mayor Hoan as chairman and Leo Harkins, New ter sey, as secretary. Committees on resolutions, organization, finance and party constitution were chosen and their reports will come before the convention after the committee of fif- teen reports.
 Expect Opposition
 Both Congressman Berger and Nor. ris Hilignit, -whe were the socialist party representatives in the conference for progressive political action, ex. pressed confidence that the convention would support the action of the confer. ence, but both admitted they expected keen opposition from those who will in. sist that the socialist party nominate its own candidates for the President and vice president.
 This afternoon the delegates attended mass meeting and took an automobile ride about the city. Tonight they held a banquet at the hotel.
 The opening session was more like a family reunion than political gather. ing. The place was a fIag-bedecked banquet room in the Hotel Winton, the
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