Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-13
'HOUSTON'S CHOICE
SURPRISES CHIEFS
Dramatic Decision After San
Francisco Appeared to Win
UpSetS Dope.

BY the Associated ffcSS.
Selection yesterday OF Houston.
TEX, for the 1898 Democratic conven-
ton. ore of the most notable political
upsets in recent years. has many
politicians puzzled in view of the quick
and dramatic manner in which the
choice was made.
For three days committee members
had been milling around hotel Hobbies
exchanging opinions on where the
convention should so, with hardly a
casual mention of Houston. Pro
ponents of San Francisco. Detroit
CaicaEo and Miami talked slihly of
barge bids. Offices were opened for
distributing information on behalf of
their candidates. The Houston people
KEPT sill.
Then in the closing hours for re.
ceiNIng bids. Texans placed a certified
check for $500. 600 on the table. match
ing the largest sum offered up to that
time. leading San Francisco to raise
Its offer from 100000 to $3.50. 600.
Matter Is Pressed.
A. about the same time ii was de-
cided 10 press the decision on a con.
vention site Immediately. whereas
many members had expected TO take
ii easy until after the Jackson day
dinner last night. and TO vote today
BaCkers Of each city in the running
were allowed j. minutes TO present
Their cause 20 the national committee
Comnotion in the large room made
II almost Impossible TO hear. Cries
a. Louder greeted each speaker.
and Chairman Shaver raped inces-
sanity for order until Jesse II. Jones.
financial adviser 10 the committee.
took the floor on behalf of Houston.
his home town
With his appearance, applause and
then cheers rang out. and the com.
ro!itee rose as one - honor the huge
Texan. who had been a wheeIhorse
Of the Democratic national orsaniza-
ton ever since Col. House first
brought him into the circle of party
leaders Is years ago. Many times he
had gone down into his pocket to
help the party treasury. AS recently
as 1924 he had headed the subcom
miitee that financed the campaign of
Davis and Bryan.
Pleads for Houston.
Abruptly the room was silenced as
Jones pleaded the cause of Houston
in full voice that echoed. Other
speakers had laughingly referred 10
Republican contributions to their bids
emo had told jokes, but this Texan
hoFocated Houston in dead earnest. as
tne heart OF rockbound Democratic
state and as the capital of the great
empire OF the Southwest"
Then Representative Daniel E.
Gafre't OF the Lone Star State, in an
old-iashioned Democratic exhortatjon
appealed for Houston as an indica.
toa OF gratitude for the solid Demo.
cratic vote invariably returned bv the
south John BOYLE. a Houstonian.
followed with two-fisted selling talk
ON what his home town had to offer
he agreed with Jones that il a larger
eoditorium was needed, Houston
VIII build IL between now and June"
The allotted Is minutes had long
since elapsed before any one seemed
70 notice it, The Texans were irving
70 retain the floor until the Young
texas governor. Dan Moody, could
arrive from his train, but they finally
had to yield and permit Cleveland and
Sah Francisco to present their bids.
Moody Arrives in Time.
This over. Chairman Shaver ap-
pointed teIiers for the halloting. but
before the first vote could be recorded
Jones faced the audience once more
Dan Moody was late for once In
his life" he said. but he's here now.
and l want you TO meet the Youngest
governor, Of whom Texas is so proud :"
The 34-year-old auburn haired State
executive took the floor amid thun-
6ering ovation.
1T is not only the people Of Hous-
ton who invite YOU" he said, but
Also the people Of Texas"
He b'ushed with the cheering, and
stepped aside for the first ballot
Houston had 30, tn % for san Fran
cisco and % for Detroit.
On the four ensuing ballots. Hous.
ton never reiiDauished the lead II
won finally, with 81, TO - for San
Francisco. and for Detroit.