Evening star., 1927-05-01
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.

nomination The declaration of Sen
ator Carter Glass of Virginia, that
the next Democratic national con
vention should be held in Washing
ton, backed by the approval Of some
Of his fellow members on the Demo
cratic national committee, has led To
the first serious consideration Of the
Capital as a convention city.
Washington, Senator Glass believes,
is neutral" ground, with no "favorite
son" as a possible candidate. Neutral
ground, after the experience of the
Democratic hosts in New York in
1924, he considers desirable
There is a widespread demand, how
ever, that the next Democratic ma.
tional convention so To city in the
Middle West.
Two Factors Vital.
Two factors will play important
PARTS in the selection of the conven-
ton city by the Democratic national
committee next December. One is
the convenience of the majority of
delegates in the matter of travel. The
other is the financial factor. A city
in the Middle West, near the central
part of the country would suit the
delegates as = whole far better than
a city either on the Atlantic or the
Pacific Coast.
In the past the Democrats have
looked 10 the convention city to pro-
vide amply for the entertainment of
the delegates, They win do the same
in 1928, particularly in view of the
fact the last national campaign wound
up with q deficit of some $IS0,0O0
Much of this has been underwritten
and paid off through the efforts of
Chairman Glenn Shaver of the Demo
cratic national committee.
New York, the last convention city
put up s150,000 cash, and added
s55, 900 in payment for the privilege
of radioing the convention proceed
ings and for other privileges reserved
by the Democratic national commit
tee. 1t also guaranteed the use of
Madison Square Garden, with
seating capacity said to be $4,000.
Other Generous Bids
New York was not the only con.
tender for the Democratic convention.
San Francisco, Chicago and St. Louis
also made generous bids for the
privilege of entertaining the Demo
cratic hosts. San Francisco presented
a. certified check for $500, 600 to be
turned over to the national committee.
1t offered in addition the convention
hall in which the 1920 Democratic ma
tional convention was held. Further
more, San Francisco promised to
raise A fund Of 100000 for the enter
tainment Of the delegates and their
friends. st. Louis came forward with
certified check for 500 900 and
promised s57, 900 to cover the conven-
tion hail. installation of loud speakers,
accommodations for the members Of
the national committee, and commit
tee rooms. Chicago's offer was TO
cover all expenses of the national
convention no matter how high they
might run.
These bids, made BY four great
American cities for the Democratic
national convention in 1924, give an
idea Of the amount which Washing
ton must he willing TO provide il it is
TO bid seriously for the convention
next year. The minimum bid. some
of the members of the national com
mittee say, which win be considered
is 100000, outside the convention hall
and other necessary arrangements.
With Detroit, Chicago. Cleveland, st.
Louis, Boston, Atlanta. Kansas CITY
and San Francisco all threatening to
enter the competition, the National
Capital viii have to put its best foot
forward financially If it undertakes to
outbid them.
Draw Tremendous Crowds.
The national conventions of the big
political parties draw to the cities in
which they are held tremendous
crowds of visitors in addition TO the
delegates and alternates. They mean
added business for hotels. for shops,
etc. They bring money to the cities
in which they are held. The return
h4t Ia =
outlay required to obtain a conven-
ton.
1t is on the cards that the next
Democratic national convention will
be a battle Huge interest attaches to
1t because of the uncertainty regard
ing the candidates to be named If
the 1928 convention rivals the New
York convention, 1t may run for 10
DAYS, although most national conven-
lions are over and done within four
days at the outside.
Washington as q convention city
has many advantages, which will be
laid before the Democratic national
committee when that body gets to-
gether. 1t is used TO handling big
conventions and swarms of visitors.
1T has hotels more than sufficient 10
meet The demands that the convention
may make upon IL. It's railroad facili-
ties and transportation facilities are
ample. 1t has the Washington Audi
forium, in which the Daughters Of the
American Revolution recently held
their annual continental congress,
with nearly 5000 delegates. 1t has
also the Arcade, which will be en-.
larged TO seat 10000 persons. The
auditorium is well equipped to meet
the needs Of the national committee
so far as rooms and meeting places
are concerned II c8n turn over to
the press nearly 2,S01 square feet of
fcor space underneath the conven.
tion hall.
Ample Press Facilities.
So far as publicity and press facili.
ties are concerned. Washington Rrob.
ably stands first Of all the cities Which
are 10 bid for the Democratic conven-
tion. All Of the big daily newspapers
in the country maintain Offices here
the year around, many Of them having
bureaus located here because 1t is the
seat Of the National Government.
The last Democratic national con.
Venti0n was composed Of 09S dele
gates, with as many aIternates. Seats
must be provided for them all on the
floor Of the convention hail. In addi
tion stage must be erected capable
of holding the members Of the ma
tional committee, more than 100 il
number, and distinguished guests
And seats must also be provided fol
between 500 and COO working newspa
per men who win cover" the conven
ton for the daily newspapers
The national convention of the grea
political parties for the purpose o
nominating candidates for Presiden
ard Vice President has been a de
vel0nmeut. growth. The presen
gatherings resemble little the earl
conventions when the countr'' wa
canparativeIv small. 50 far as popu
lafion is concerned and means O
transportation We're primitive Th
first national convention on recGu