Imperial Valley press., 1928-06-26
Harmony Reigns
Among Democrats
At Convention
Continued from Page y

]
/ ing masses, suffering under a near
, 90 temperature. swept into the vast
auditorium.
The allies never really allied,
were already beaten and the one big
fighting point-prohibition - had
been fairly smoothed in advance of
the opening session.
The sessions, lasting probably un-
til some time Friday, bade fair to
be harmonious--a sort of ratifica-
tion meeting, lacking the fight and
turmoil which prolonged and marred
the 1924 Madison Square Garden
convention.
Opposition to Smith had dwin-
died into only scattered sniping and
his nomination ON an early ballot is
assured. \ prohibition plank has
been agreed upon which will call for
enforcement of prohibition and 9th
er laws and will condemn alleged
Republican failure Is enforce these
laws.
This represented compromise be-
tween southern dryS and eastern
vets. With it, soUthcrnerS will Join
the Smith lcgions and with their
own positions saved, will return to
their homes to report they had made
their fight and struck the best bar
gain possible.
The scene was co{orful. In the
forward portion of the great han, Il
forest Of markers denoted the state
delegation places. Behind that Were
special reserved seats and then a-
round three sides stretched CALLER
les.
Lavish Decorations
The hall was decorated with state
flags while forward above a massive
shield of the United States, fringed
in evergreen. Il dozen American
flags were draped like plaque
Festoons of bunting hung from the
edges Of the balconies and at the
front and rear ends of the hall.
Women were the first comerS.
Down in front several Alabamans
We're the first to arrive in the dele
gate section. Connecticut, Vermont,
Oklahoma and South Carolina dele
gates were the next to appear.
Kleig lights began to sputter by
1880 as the photographers got set
for their later barrages.
The naming Of Smith was taken
as foregone conclusion. As his
running mate, Senator Joseph Rob
inson. minority leader of the United
States senate, was largely discussed.
Heat intense
Prohibition which had bade fair
to be real thorn, was assured of
solution. Advance
a agreements envisaged dry plank
calling fer enforcement of the pro
hibition and other laws.
This. il seemed assured, would
have the convention 5 approval
But today the convention had
only preliminaries TO dispose Of. The
noon session with its program OF
l,raver, welcome and selection o.
temporary officers and committees
will he followed tonight by seN-
sion in which Claude Bowers or /
New York will sound the party
- KEYNOTE for the 1928 battle.
Harmony and heat We're the bat
tie cries Of the opening meeting.
The thermometer was mounting.
The convention hail, beautiful III It's
setting of American and state flags,
and flowers, was hot
though its openwork sides let in
some breaths of air as boon to
delegates and guests.
Bands began their blaring at md
forenoon but paused from time to
time for a rest. II was too hot to
keep ND their putting. "The Old
GRAY Mare" and martial airs tipped
up the early proceedings.
whoop It Up
shortly after II n. IN. the famous
tsOId Gray Mare Band "a Texas
titution-marched into the hall,
led bv the mare and her pretty
woman rider. 1t got a great hand
and gave a lively holiday setting.
The bandsmen were in cowboy at
tire with red shirts and yellow ban
dannas.
Graham McNamee, nationally
known radio announcer, was set to
broadcast the day S proceedings.
\ spirit of carnival was in the
air. An old man did jig on the
far side of the hail. and the crowds
a band struck up A
Iict Time In the Old Town - follow
cd it up with Yankee Doodle and
g. Dixie.
The Rebel Yell" greeted the
lattei.
Senator Edwards of New Jersey
strolled about the floor, mopping
his brow and smiling. Edwin Hal
scy, Virginia, sergeant at arms, told
hm what was supposed to be
funny story.
"'That too dry for me- the
Now JrrseN wet declared.