Evening star., 1928-06-12
Convention Ad.
iOurns After
Two Hours.
LIKELY TOCLOSE
THURSDAY PM.
Fess Makes Speech.
Ovation Given TO
Coolidge.
BY BYRON PRICE,
Associated Press STAFF Writer.

Associated Press STAFF Writer.
KANSAS CITY, June 12.-Bent on
nominating Hoover and getting home
again as soon as possible, the Repun-
lican national convention opened today
with a two-hour session. whose nearest
approach to an old-time political thrill
was quiet and dignihed tribute to
President Coolidge.
Every one of the rivalries that have
been moving under the surface OF pre-
convention consultation was smothered
out completely as the delegates came
together at last. BY crushing weight
of numbers the Hoover organization
had captured completely the party ma
chinery. and it handled 1t quietly and
with dispatch.
Like every other part Of this conyen-
ton, the tribute TO President Coolidge
was dignifled and marked with man
ifest restraint. 1t was precipitated BY
Senator Fess, the keynoter, who got
both delegates and spectators TO their
feet for a minute Of hand-clapping and
subdued cheering by ali oratorjcal
wind-up In which Mr. Coolidge was de-
scribed as the greatest political and
personal force in the world today and
the party was commiserated upon his
decision TO refuse a denomination. NO
real effort was made TO organize a
Coolidge demonstration, and the quiet
tribute of the convention 10 passing
friend and leader was more like a re-
spcctfIil and regretfui farewell than a
part OF the swirl and confusion of
political convention.
Besides listening 10 the keynote--a
reaffirmation OF the traditional funda-
mentals of Republicanism~~the opening
session merely went through the mo-
tions of perfectfng permanent conven-
ton organization, with Senator Moses
Of New Hampshire a. permanent chair
man and Senator Smoot of Utah, an
other Hoover man, as chairman Of the
platform committee A report from the
platform -makers Is hoped for at the
next convention session tomorrow.
Only the final complexion of few
platform planks and decision who will
be the nominee for Vice President~-a
decision 10 be made largely by Hoover
remained In dispute when Chairman
Butler of the Republican national COM
mittee raped for order at 3 minutes
after IL o'clock.
OptuB DFsetDUs
II will be Thursday before the bal
loting can begin. but the Hoover men
who are handling the levers Of the
party organization expect 10 be on their
way home by Thursday night. Today
the convention only went through the
motions OF getting itself organized,
hearing the keynote speech by Senator
Fess Of Ohio, appointing the commit
Fe n
and smooth out details Of the conyen-
ton organization and joining with
Nine. Schumann- Heink In singing the
national anthem. There win be no aft
erno0n session
II was three minutes after II o'clock
when Chairman Butler raped for Or
der In earnest and put the convention
really under way The chairman had
no trouble In securing quiet. for If there
ever was an orderly convention IL Is
this one While delegates and spec
tators stood Bishop s. c. Partridge OF
the Episcopal Church pronounced the
opening prayer, petitioning for peace
full and harmonious" party consulta-
tiong and for an outcome which should
be 10 the highest good Of the people
Amid the first handclapping Of the
convention Mime. Schumann- iIeink took
her place before the microphones and
led the standing delegates and visitors
IN THE Star Spangled Banner" Her
celebrated contralt0 voice, which for
generation has been Joy to two
worlds, trembled with emotion and her
hands cIasped and unclasped at her
side as she pronounced the notes OF
the anthem Of her adopted land.
West Reads Call
Seated again, the convention was
Immediately called upon by Mr. Butler
10 stand and have its picture taken.
| But as soon as IL got on It's feet "A
photographer with big megaphone
asked IL 10 sit down again. II did SO
In roar OF laughter and the ring of
| previously set fiashlamps about the
| gallery rim went off with n great ex-
| plosion and IN binding glare If light
| 100 cameras did their work. The sub
| mission Of The temporary roll and the
| formal reading Of The convention call
/ followed In quick and prosnic order
| interrupted by ID short ovation as Sec
| fetary Mellon walked down the center
aisle and shyig took his place In the
! Pennsylvania delegation Ie sat i'm.
| iuediateiy under the State standard, In
! an end seat on the front row not 80
feet from the chairman WIN one
| lean hand he cluLched the slender white
pole holding the State label al6ft, anf
took o look about him. Then he er0ssnd
his bands IN hts lap and sat one OF thf
! 4nietesl 0f the thousand on the c0nyen-
| lion roll
/ The reading of The convention cali
/ performed ny Roy o West 0f Chicago
| secretary of The Republican national
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