The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-06-14
Early Ballot Expected,
Despite Threats of
Floor Battle.
FARMERS IN LAST DITCH
SmoOt Reads Platform to
Weary Delegates, Then
La Toilette Speaks.
BY CARL d. GROAT
I-nifeh Presa Stan Corresnnnden

BY CARL ID. GROAT
United Press STAFF Correspondent
CONVENTION HALL, KANSAS
CITY, Mo-, June 14-The fourth
session of the Republican national
convention opened here today, pre-
pared to nominate Herbert Hoover
before adjournment tonight.
Before that momentous action
could be undertaken, however, the
convention had to dispose of the
farmers battle" Backers of the
NcNary- Haugen bill, wit hits equal
ization fee, defeated in the platform
committee, brought their fight to the
convention.
Though doomed to further defeat.
they we're set for a last ditch
struggle on the floor, The leaders
said this forenoon that Chairman
Moses wouIdf make every effort to
clear up business rapidly.
They hoped the farm fight and
the nomination speeches could be
disposed of during the day. leaving
the way clear for balloting tonight.
There was. however, a chance that
the balloting would go over to to-
morrow, Senator Smoot, Utah, said.
Chairman Moses told the United
Press upon his arrival at 9:35 that
he anticipated the Dalloting for the
presidential nomination would be
tonight
ThrOng Arrives Late
He and Senator Smoot conferred
briefly on procedure and then took
their places on the platform, where
a big American flag had been placed
on a standard.
1t was two minutes before 10
o'clock when Chairman Moses
ordered delegates to find their
seats There was a throng pouring
in belatedly and they hastened to
their places upon Moses warning.
Just after 10 o'clock Moses an
nounced that the official hour of
opening had been reached and in
sisted anew that the delegates must.
be seated.
He raped sharply for order, and
gave indications that he would ride
herd" soon if his mandate was un-
needed.
Prayer was offered by Rabbi Her.
man M. Cohan, Of Kansas City
while the audience stood with bowed
heads.
Farmers Not Present
The threatened march of the
farmers against the convention
building, with a view to parading
through the hal, had failed to ma
terialize up to 1925 a. m, the lead
ers apparently realizing the futility
of this step after yesterdays barring
of the marchers.
After a march tune, Moses
stepped stepped forward pounding
his gavel for order. After announc-
ing the rules prevailing for debate,
Moses recognized Senator Smoot,,
head Of the platform committee,
who presented the platform.
The Kleig lights were glaring and
the galleries called for order as a
buzz of talk continued. The con-
vention settled down and Smoot
proceeded with the reading Of the
platform, with its farm relief, pro-
hibition, campaign expense and
honesty in Government, and many
other planks
Its endorsement Of the Coolidge
| administration elected short
burst of applause.
Clamor Hard TO Still
Moses had to interrupt again to
get order Finally he ordered all
delegates and photographers to
take their seats.
Smoot reached the farm relief
plank shortly before II o'clock, and
this was greeted by little ap-
plause. His voice rose as he pro-
ceeded. and he was given another
hand before he ended reading of
the farm plank
Senator Smoot spoke before the
mecrophone, but the galleries had
dih1culty in hearing him, and burst
into shouts of louder" and get
a reading clerk"
Moses wearied Of the Interrupt
tions from the gallery. and an
nounced that while "the chair
would regret to use harsh meas
ures, he will be forced to turn the
vest army of sergeants-at-arm
loose if order is not maintained"
This threat provoked a laugh but
served for a time to decrease the
noise on the floor
Ovation for Hoover
First mention of Hoover by name
in the reading brought the conven-
ton to its feet, waving flags and
standards.
The demonstration lasted two
minutes-the longest prolonged ap-
plause yet given anyone or anything
during the convention.
The Texas delegation, headed by
G. o. Harris of San Angelo, made
feeble attempt to start a parade
around the hall He found no fol-
lowers, as another colleague ad-
vised him to hold up until the nomi-
nation speech was made later in the
day.
Several Californians stood on
their chairs and cheered Justify