Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-06-26
HOPE
TO FORGET 1924
Plan Decorous Convention to
Remove Stigma of Madison
Square Melee.
By FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
HOUSTON, June 26.-The presi-
Dental campaign of 1923 opened today
when the Democratic party in conven-
ton assembled voted to postpone its
keynote speech until tonight. There
was method In It's decision. 1t had TO
DO with events in Madison Square
Garden at New York four years ago.
rather than with anything at Houston
so far this week Radio. latest arrival
in the family Of communications
dictated the determination not to let
Temporary Chairman Claude G. Bow
ers unlfmber his oratorical guns until
after sundown.
That was only one of the controlling
factors-the wish to secure the largest
possible number of listeners-in for the
Jacksonian historians speech. The uIl-
deriving reason is the Democrats plan
to make the Houston convention, as far
as the great national radio audience
Is concerned, shine by comparison with
the mad melee which went out to the
country over the air from New York In
June and July. 1924.
Madison Square Garden has always
been conceded by Democratic Leaders
to have been one Of the contributing
reasons for the disastrous defeat OF
their presidential ticket the last time.
The pickering and back-biting between
the Smith and McAdoo forces. the end
less balloting, the inceSsant racket ana
din which the delegates and the gal
ierieg created, the general atmosphere
of bungling and indecision which pre-
vaiied-ail these things, faithfully re-
20 M listeners
from coast 10 coast--were acknowledged
afterward to have played big part IN
the election. Democrats convinced
themselves that the people received the
impression that party which couio
not govern itself In It's own convention
could not be relied upon to give
proper account Of itself In Washington.
Temple of Decorum.
At Houston. therefore, the national
convention on its first vote atfecting
convention procedure was mspneo
mainly by air considerations. Unless
circumstances beyond the power OF con-
yention managers to regulate snouIo
ensue. Sam Houston Hall during the
next three days and nights viii be a
| temple Of decorIm and dignity. NO
restraint, of course. will be placed upon
! demonstrations. Yet even these are
10 be strikingiy more subdued than the
rough house" which marked Madison
Square Garden proceedings every Time
| All Smiths name was mentioned.
The Houston Fire and Police Depart
mentg. for instance. will not be on duty
/ inside and outside convention han with
siren whistles and other noise making
equipment. The convention band WIZ
/ not thrust The sidewalks OF New YORK
and THE Bowery'' upon the convention
at fixed intervals. This time the Man"
/ 1attanitcs are under orders. more OF
] less. 10 be seen rather than heard. When
heard, they are 10 be refined" not
| l,oisterous Once Smith is nominated
! they may let themselves go.
II anything resembling an eafh'
quake is sent detonating along tht
wave length from this corner Of Texas
between now and Friday, Il VIII be q
chronological disturbance originating "
prohibition The liquor question IL thf
only really explosive material lett lyint
around In Houston. 1t may be Senator
Jim" Reed of Missouri who WIN igh'
the fuse.
Reed plans 10 address the convention
before nominations are made ana adyo l,
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