Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-02

NEW ORLEANS. July For us
conventionites of washington, scribes
for the most part. New Orleans is
halfway station between Houston and
the Capital. The languid atmosphere
of this Old World American city, where
French is spoken and English under
stood. Is conducive TO calm reflection
upon the epoch making events OF which
we have been part. The overwhelm.
,neiy predominant emotion of us sur
vivors OF two political revolutions
Kansas City and Houston--is gratitude
that they are behind us. This observer
covered" the World War, but 1t was
child's play compared to the reporting
OF national conventions. over there
YOU had IA battle which lasted day.
or perhaps two days. and then you had
your story. At national conventions
you have battle that lasts week,
with a story breaking" every minute
and everywhere.
Conventions are like circuses-in
more ways than one. A looker-on
needs half dozen pairs OF eyes and
ears to watch and hear what's going
on in rs many different rings.
Who I'm this land OF vaunted efficiency
and labor saving devices is going TO
invent q sane and sensible method OF
conducting these quadrennial party
conciaves? AT both Kansas City and
Houston the conventions clamored Tor
MANAGEMENT and managers. In the
first place conventions are too big and
too unwieldy. What Is the use OF
delegation" of 20. 80, 20 or 90 per-
sons, with an equal number OF alter
d. l.AA
the delegation" is merely the mouth
piece either of boss or State con-
vention. or clad with cat-iron In
structions? why couldn't a State boss
or convention deputize one trustworthy
man or woman to attend the national
convention and carry out a mandate?
AS all the Kansas City and Houston
worlds respectively. discovered, and as
conventions since time immemoriai
have proved delegates In their indi-
yidual capacities are like dumb driven
cattle. They may neither think nor
sneak for themselves. Like children,
thew are there TO be seen and not
heard Once in while they are per-
mitted to act like human beings. But
usually It Is only In obedience to some
hi0her-lps' orders, such as Juggling
state standard around the hall during
demonstration"
what an opportunity the conven-
tons provided for the man or woman
in love with the sound OF his or nef
own voice. Radio has tremendously
marnifled the vanity OF convention
snellbinders. In days gone by they
could only strut their stuff before the
Galleries. Nowadays the visible an-
dience Ia a secondary consideration. IL
IL the myriads back home" In most
cases ut whom the convention exhipi~
ZIONIST shoots his shafts OF eioauence.
THE caressing gaze he directs AT the
battery OF microph0nes In 'front.' o' MN
Ia a sight to behold. In most eaoea'
both al the Republican ana the i'ehio.
cratic conventions, speakers seei'eu
wholly Obvious Of the audience tney
were facing. They we're tnmistaEupS
concerned only with the millions listen.
ing In. Radio has brought nhhiioysa
loy 10 American mankind. ole ., 'ie
affiictions which we've got To pu. up
with along with the blessing on pfoau~
casting Is the convention orator
4 ~
Houston did a good Job with the
Democratic convention. AL arrahss-
merts were not perfect but for the
niost part they were adequate me
heat al times was trying and almost
unbearable, but so, II was NJ Chicago IN
1910 and In New York In 1924 ina,
| suggests another convention detail
which calls for modification Coulun !
Inc. parties nominate their presidential
| candidates In the Spring or at the be-
| ginning Of Autumn? And as Alaska
| belongs 10 US. couldn't Conventions
| they must take place In Summertime
be held up there? II was the breeEes
that blow IN from the Gulf OF Mexico
| Which made life endurabe az Houston
| They we're most In evidence at night
| When they were particularly welcome,
for there Is sound sleep In their eonl-