Evening star., 1924-06-24
Fight on Corruption Stressed
As Democrats Aim in Keyn0te

tracted much attention among the
delegates. David Ladd Rockwell, Mr.
McAdoo's campaign manager, ap-
peared with several others in the
party and waved a greeting to many
of those on the floor.
Actual start DELAYED,
The actual opening of the session
was delayed after all the delegates
mad arrived in order to permit the
police outside to straighten out a
traffic crush about the garden and
,se tnrougn the many guests who
were trying in vain to get to their
seats in the hall.
Seats Cause Disorder
Considerable confusion persisted
also on the floor where there seem
ed to be an unusual crush of people
who had no seats allotted to them.
From one spot, in addition to the
delegates, alterna ates and those usual
ly admitted to the floor, it was pos
sinie TO see badges reading variously
assistant sergeant at arms, head
doorkeeper, door supervisor, usher,
special officer. telephone operator,
telegraph operator, page, tickSk
taker and medical officer Some Of
those wearing these badges had
taken the seats of delegates and il
was difficult to get the whole churn- :
ing mass of humanity properly as
sorted and quieted down
Both delegates and spectators be-
gan to grow impatient, and the parti-
sans of several of the presidential
candidates took advantage of the
general confusion to stage fmpromp-
tn denominations for their favorites.
One western delegation gave three
cheers for McAdoo and another group
from the east Joined in a Smith cam
paign song. 1t was 12:43 when the
bang of the gavel called for order.
At first the delegates only cheered
to vent their enthusiasm at the pros
Rct of action.
Cardinal Leads Prayer.
Standing in the full glare of the
concentrated fire of the spotlights
quiet and introduced Cardinal Hayes
to make the opening prayer. The
delegates rose and cheered for a
quarter of a minute as the prelate
came out to the front of the stage
and then stood quiet and with bowed
prayer. 1t was solid mass of stand
ing humanity, for the aisles were as
crowded as the sections allotted to
seats for the delegates.
The Invocation concluded with the
Lords Prayer, in which many of the
delegates Joined, the band struck UP
"The Star Spangled Banner" and
showers of tiny American flags which
had been concealed in folds of the cell
ing decorations were loosened and
showered down like many-colored
leaves upon the convention floor
Opera Star Leads Song.
When the band had gone through
Anna Case, metropolitan opera star
sang a verse of the song while the
delegates remained standing. She in
vited the assembled thousands to join
with her when she reached the chorus
and they did SO In great swelling
burst of melody that ended with a
crash of cheering and handclapping
Then the convention went through
the usual performance of having its
official picture taken. There was a
rapher, stationed in a gallery, asked
that every one be seated, for the
aisles were literally crowded with
those who had no seats allotted them
The reading of the official call for
the convention by Charles A. Great
national committee, followed the
taking of the official picture. The
delegates weren't much interested In
that perfunctory stage of the pro-
ceedings, however, and there was a
great deal Of noise as Mr.. Great
Harrison Given Cheer.
The formal announcement that Sen
ator Harrison had been selected for
temporary chairman got a cheer from
the convention floor and galleries
There was frequent applause, too, as
the names OF the other temporary Of
ficers were read off. The woman del
egates held up a pattefing of hand
clapping as the names of many wom-
en- were read among those selected
by the national committee to serve
in conspicuous places in the big quad
riennial conclave.
It was apparent that it was to be
q shouting convention from the very
start Every one seemed to be in
good humor. despite the bitter pre-
convention rows and the impending
battle over candidates and party
measures, and every delegation ap-
ing a big noise In the convention,
When the reading Of the roll of
temporary officers had been COM
pleted, Chairman Hull recognized
former Gov. Campbell OF Ohio, who
moved that the list be approved. The
motion was adopted with a great
chorus of ayes. and Mr.. Hull ap-
pointed a committee to escort Sena-
tor Harrison to the stand from his
place In the Mississippi delegation.
The committee included Newton D.
Baker, former ecretary of War, and
former Senator Gilbert Hitchcock OF
Nebraska.
Harrison Takes stand.
Brought up to the platform through
a passageway under the stage. Sena-
tor Harrison got a .rousing welcome
as he appeared at the speakers stand.