Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-02
After-COnventiOn Observations
BY FREDERIC EILLf4M EILE.

line are a good so miles away, but the
zephyrs from the Gulf fioated into the
convention city az salubriously as IL we
were at the waters edge. Atop the
Rice Hotel. which was the center of all
convention activities, one could break
fast. lunch and dine In air as balmy
rs that which sweeps along the promo
made deck of the Leyiathan in mid
ocean.
The Fourth Estate has a favorite son
whom 1t would have nominated for
President or anything else he wanted
Jim" Preston. superintendent OF the
press galleries of Congress. Preston
comes as near being indispensable TO
that section of the human race which
practices political Journalism as any
man alive. He Is master of the tedi-
Gus art OF taking pains. He would
rather do correspondent favor than
play golf, which Is "Jim's" other pas
sion. His record for accommodation
and courtesy, II may be remarked In
passing, Is better than his golf score
Preston was Graded In journalism. His
iatner was distinguished New York
Herald correspondent at Washington.
National committees, convention man
agements. presidential candidates and
politicians generally rely upon "Jim's"
expert counsel as much as newspaper
men depend upon his expert assistance
Uncle Sam himself drafts Preston on
all major occasions where the needs OF
the press are concerned. Jim" was as
important functionary at the Wash.
ington armament conference as Hughes
himself.
Representative Tom Connally. who
expects TO be the next Democratic Senator
for Texas, was popular figure in the
convention Hobbies at Houston. n won't
be long now before he knows his fate
which will be decided at the State wide
preferential primary. followed by a run
off for the nomination. Most Texans
consulted on the subject think Tom"
has the edge on his rivals. including the
incumbent, Senator Mayfield; Repre-
sentative Blanton and Mrs. Minnie
Fisher Cunningham.
Connally refreshed this observers
memory OF a transatlantic episode in
which both figured four years ago.
Connally was making his first trip TO
Europe. When he landed In England
customs officers asked him statutory
questionable he carry firearmsP Being
Texan, he did, whereupon his Britain
mic majesty's authorities iisarmed him.
They derived special satisfaction In TAX
ing gun away from man named
Connally. Eventually the weapon was
returned to the United States consular
authorities In London for delivery Ia
the Congressman and his chronicier.
being a fellow Washingtonian, was IN
trusted with the light artillery.
u
This southwestern country, the Amer
lean land of unlimited possibilities. Ia In
the throes of that stage of DEVELOPMENT
which sees civic greatness I'm skyscrap-
crs. Houston for several years has been
la skyscraper race with Dallas Fort
Worth and san Antonio ana Is about Ia
emerge winner by several stories,
The Jones Tower" now under con-
atriction, will have 80 floors and will
be .the highest building south OF CHI
eago" Its creator IL Jesse H. Jones,
sugar daddy Of the Democratic conyen-
ton and known as Houstons Santa
Claus Jones comes ont OF his home
towns biggest week with local glory
immeasurably enhanced. but his stunt
IN drenching the delegates with colored
balloons inscribed Jesse n Jones for
President" rubbed the convention the
wrong way. From the start OF proceed
ings mysterious sacks we're suspended
from the rafters Of the house that
Jesse built" Then when his name was
offered to the convention the sacks
opened up like parachutes and Sam
Houston Hall became a toy aerndrome.
Ii was considered ali amazingly fine ex-
hlbltion Ut bad taste.
(COpyrlght, 1897