Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-01-29
HOUSTON TO
WELCOME ALL
IN CONVENTION
Securing of Democratic
Meet Unites All Fac
tons in City, De-
clares Writer
By c. ID. Wade

&44Sr SAN @C."2AnAG
everybody in Texas is planning to
attend the national democratic con-
Fention here in June it might be a
good idea TO give them an linking
OF their chances TO see the big show.
IL seems now that the chances are
gcIng to be comparatively good.
All Houston is thrilled. OF course,
over the convention coming here,
and nothing in the last decade has
done as much 10 bring all the diff
ierent elements under a common
leadership, uniting factions and
making bedfellows Of men whose
opinions Of each other in the past
lave been unprintable.
Houston merchants and business
mon. the men who really finance
such things, are determined on Civ
ing Texans a bit the best of it on
convention seats, for which there Is
a sound business reason. Here it
IS: When a statewide convention is
held IN Houston, bringing delegates
from Na~cogdoches. Temple, Browns
vile. Wichita Falls. San Angelo or
Abilene, these Texans are liberal
spenders with the local merchants.
When a national convention is held
here, such as the American Bank
ers' association, Mr.. Delegate from
Chicago or Los Angeles spends moth
ing IN Houston except for his hotel
bill.
Expect Capacity Crowd
Therefore, any plan that does not
take into consideration the private
Texas citizen and his welfare will
be vigorously opposed by the mer-
chants and business men. Hence the
quick dropping Of the first plan of
holding the convention in the city
auditorium, which seats about 5000
people.
Leaders in the convention plan
are certain that as many visitors
viii come to Houston as can be ac-
comodated. If word went out that
100000 visitors could see and hear
the convention, hat many would be
here. II go. 1000 could be accomo-
dated-in other words, if everybody
knew he could get a seat and see the
show, fully that many would come to
Houston. The convention comes at a
pleasant time of the year. when
roads are good, during the vacation
period OF thousands. who would pack
up the family in the new Ford with
four-wheel brskes-if it has been
delivered-and drive to Houston.
The tentative plan that is meet
ing with the approval Of most of the
Houston citizens calls for the con-
structlon Of an auditorium Of a more
or less temporary nature that will
seat at least $4,000 people. A large
block OF these seats, probably 49,
600. viii have to be put at the dis
posal Of the national committee, to
be pro-rated among the state dele
cations, and for the use of dele
gates and a~lternates. That would
leave 10000 seats at the disposal Of
the Houston committee.
To Apportion Tickets
Then suppose a Houston bank
contributes $4,000 TO the con-
vention fund. The committee would
award 100 seats to that bank. with
tickets to which are attached cou-
pons calling for the first, second
and third sessions and so on to per-
haps 10 or IL sessions. Then the
Houston bank writes 100 of its
banker friends over the state, in
viting them to attend the conven
tion as is tguest on the first day;
II invites another 100 TO attend on
Its tickets the second day. 1t could
safely invite 500 men to attend the
convention. thus at a cost to the
bank Of only $40 per man il has ex-
tended a highly desirable favor and
courtesy to a lot Of its customers,
so that. eventually, 1T would be a |
profitable investmenN for the bank.
This arrangement would be carried
out by all lines of Houston bust
ness. Likewise, contributors from
over the state would be rewarded
with seats in return for their dona-
tions. In that way the cost of the
temporary building and all other
convention expenses would be met.
Now, as 70 the political aspect OF
the convention here in Houston:
Efforts are being made every
where TO apply the soft pedal. 1t
is being ding-donged into Houston
every day that as convention host
its citizens must keep quiet on poll
ties. They would like TO see that
attitude adopted by the entire
state. Two Of the local
are predicting that such will be the
attitude Of Texas. VI. Z. Foster,
editor of the Houston Press, is not
quite so optimistic, and sees gener-
Gus opportunity for some raucous
times If the spectators seats get
filled with Texans who come in
tensely partisanized for or against
al Smith.
Still Fight Smith
An extended tour Of the state con-
vinces this writer that the worst
fears Of Mr.. Foster are moderate.
The dry, anti-Catholic element in