Evening star., 1927-10-21
CONVENTION CITY
i STUMPS PARTIES
San Francisco Bids for G. O.
p. ParIey-Democrats Fa-
$ vor Wet Atmosphere.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

Selection of a convention city is a
good deal more of thorn in the side
of the political leaders of both parties
than appears on the surface.
The Democrats who favor Gov.
Smith want some large city like
Chicago or st. Louis, where the
wetness in the atmosphere will make
the crowd sympathetic to their cam
didate. The Republicans realize that
q convention in an Eastern city will
not help to reconcile the factional diff
ferences which have arisen between
the East and West.
Cities like Detroit, Chicago, st. Louis,
Baltimore and San Francisco are being
talked Of for the Democratic conVen-
ton, with a strong desire on the part
of the dry forces to select Cleveland.
San Francisco Viewed.
As for the Republicans, San Fran
cisco is making a strong bid for the
convention on the theory that it would
have a psychological effect on the en-
tire West If the Republican party
came across the continent to the
Golden State. The Democrats had a
very satisfactory convention in Cali
fornia in 1920, and reports of that
event have been conveyed to the Re
publican managers who know also that
San Francisco will put up as big a
contribution as any city in order to
get the convention.
Eastern business men, who often
comprise most of the delegation, are
loath to be away for a week or 10
days. but their objection is being an
Swered in many instances with the
suggestion that many of the Eastern
ers and their families have never been
West.
From the standpoint Of Herbert
Hoover, q convention in San Fran
cisco would be an advantage because
California is known to be behind it's
favorite son. This may influence the
friends Of the other candidates, espe-
cially those of former Gov. Lowden
and Vice President Dawes, who prefer
naturally to see the Republican con-
vention in Chicago. The Democrats
know Chicago will be a contender
for the opportunity to take care of
the Democratic convention, but so
far as the anti-Smith forces are con-
cerned, they think Chicago would be
embarrassing as was New York in
1924.
Capital Possibility.
The City of Washington has a new
auditorium and wouldn't mind getting
either convention, but the politicians
have usually SHE'D away frol the idea
of holding a national convention in
this Capital. This may not be as
much of an objection for the Republi-
cans this time, particularly, if it is
an assured fact that President Cool.
idge is not going to be drafted. Under
the circumstances, 1t has been feared
that to hold Republican convention
at the doorstep of the White House
during Republican administration
would appear to be executive dicta-
tion. The Democrats, on the other
hand, would have no such objection,
and the Capital is, therefore. neutral
ground for them and might be partic-
ularly convenient if Congress finishes
its work just few days before the
Democrats are scheduled to begin in
June.
If 1t is likely that Gov. Smith will
be the Democratic nominee, there may
be Republicans who think that the
convention might we'll be held in New
York State as means of stirring up
the local Republican leaders for the
forthcoming campaign. There are
many cities in New York State which
have large armories with sufficient
capacity to hold the convention, but
hotel facilities are not always ade
Quate.
The last national convention at
Cleveland was handled so well that a
number Of Republican leaders would
like to see the convention go there
again. Each convention city must
raise a sufficient fund to guarantee to
absorb the usual expenses incurred.
Sums IN the neighborhood of 5000 900
have been required to get a place in
the race for q convention city. These
amounts are, in the main, subscribed
for by the hotels and business associa-
tions anxious to entertain the visiting
delegates and their families.
tCopyright. 1927