The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-06-12
Throng SWeIterS in Hall,
Packed From Platform
to Rear Doors.
BUTLER FIRST TO SPEAK
Scene Is CoIorfuI One as
Thousands Jam Way
Into Auditorium.
Other convention news, Page 3;
keynote address, Page 8.


BIZ United Press
CONVENTION HALL, GANSAS
CITY, Mo-, June 12.-The Republic
an national convention opened here
at II a. m. today in wave of har-
mony to nominate for President be-
fore the weekend Herbert Hoover
of California.
What had threatened to be bitter
warfare had switched overnight to
a peacefest. sand as the thousands
surged into convention hall, with its
banners and bands, the word on
every lip was 'Hoover!"
AS the tides of strife had swept
away from the night battlefield, a
humidity wave baked the thousands
who jammed into the historic struc-
ture that had housed political
battles Of other days.
Scramble for Bandwagon
The forenoon had witnessed
scrambling for the Hoover band
wagon, and when the thousands
had crushed into the hall, the de-
cision was already known, though
the voting yet was to come.
1t was just after 10 o'clock when
the band struck up its first air. A
few women with places OF. honor or
the platform arrived.
Pretty girl ushers piloted more
visitors to their places. Representa-
tive Burton, Ohio, sturdy Hoover
man. got the first applause as he
made his way to the Ohio section
to the front of the hall, and was
halted by the Ubiquitous camera
men for pose.
Names delegation, directly in
front of the jutting platform, came
early to avoid the rush. A lone
Californian held the fort early in
the front row, but the Hooverites
from the Secretary's home State
were ready to sweep proudly down
the aisles before II a. m.
The Pennsylvania were late in
arriving and still there were hun
dreds of yawning spaces after 10
o'clock. Everett Sanders, President
Coolidge'S secretary. had a place on
the platform.
Chairman Raps for Order
1t wss 11:03 a. m. when Chairman
Butler of the Republican national
committee raped for order. Con-
f1dence that the Republican party
and the people will support the can
didate selected here was voiced by
Butler, in calling the convention to
order.
"The sentiment and desires of the
American people is best evidenced
by the historical fact that since the
party first came into power there
have been only two individuals
elected President on the opposing
ticket" Butler said.
This is striking proof that the
American people approve not only
the men and measures of the
national Republican party, but also
the methods of Our conventions by
which those men are nominated and
those principles adopted as party
policy.
Il am sure I voice the sentiments
of this convention in expressing the
absolute confidence that the choice
and decisions of the delegates here
assembled as to standard bearers
and policies both will deserve and
receive the approval of the Ameri-
acn people at the polls next No
vember."
Many Seats Untitled
The delegates and alternates were
in their places promptly, but the
spectators seats were only half filled
when Butler banged his gavel and
called for order.
Binding lights were turned on
for the movie men who occupied a
box to Themselves little tier
stretching half way across the hall
opposite the rostrum.
Butler raped for about four
minutes until he considered the
convention in order. He announced
his belief that a quorum was pres
ent and introduced Bishop S. c..
Partridge of the West Missouri Epis-
copal Church, who offered a prayer
Madame Schumann-H -Heink, in
bright green dress, was next in
troduced to the convention by But
Ter. She sang the Star Spangled
Banner. A piano had been placed
between the press sections under the
rostrum. She received loud applause
from the delegates.
Butler Is Overruled
Butler called on the convention to
rise and face the northeast corner
Of the convention hall, so that the
official picture could be taken. The
photographer, however, overruled
Butler and demanded that the
delegates be seated. He won amid
laughter from the crowd.
Applause for Secretary of Treas
ury Mellon interrupted the further
deliberations of the convention for
a moment. 1t was Mellon who had
passed the no-draft Coolidge word
after his Pennsylvania colleague,
Ware, had bolted for Hoover.
The applause was mostly forward
in the Pennsylvania delegation, for
others did not seem to recognize the
quiet and stately treasury chief.
Roy o. West, Illinois, then was in