Evening star., 1928-06-12

Lowden and all the
rest OF the Republican elect were raised
on the cheers of their champions as fit
to receive the highest honor the party
or all America can bestow upon its
sons.
1t was to furnish the scene where
Bryan received his second nomination
by the democracy that the hall was
rushed to quick completion for the hec-
tic days of 1900. Since then it has fig
ured often in political events of Nation
wide significance. as today it formed the
actual. formal beginnings Of the presi-
dental battle OF 1928.
Wilson Spoke There.
Just short while ago Woodrow Will
son spoke there on the swing for Ameri-
can adherence to the covenant of the
League of Nations that ended in his
physical collapse. Still later Warren
Harding met his Missouri countrymen
In this hall en- the Westward trip to
far Alaska that ended tragically at San
Francisco in his death. From that time
the Kansas City Convention Hall stood
Unused. by chance, until those who
fnourned the dead President gathered
IN memorial service about the chair he
Lad occupied, now draped win black.
And today it is the same hall, already
old in political history. spruced up. yet
a little old-fashioned on the outside:
dingy and dim within, dtspite its miles
OF bunting. that opened its arms 10 the
Republicans Of 1923.
II is fashioned into a great oval on
the main floor. where the delegates sit,
facing southwark toward the platform
IN the center Above rise the first seats
gor spectators. the places for which all
Kansas City and nearby territory is
clamoring They shoot up steep as cir
Gus bleachers 70 disappear under the
front edge OF . circular second gallery
above
Ventilation Is Good
But on ali four sides. open TO the
free air in all directions. are vide win
oows 70 mitigate the heat Of the crowd
20 structure and To shed dim glow of
natural light into the eayernoug interior
70 battle with the electric bulbs and the
I binding Kleyg hgzt that shoot off and
Or 70 outstare those on the platform.
Over all this. crossing the hall on It's
narrow proportion. stride the built-up
steel girderS that tie the wall tops to-
eetheE and furnish security for the wide
roof spread. And get above these. down
the center. runs secondary yentiIating
dome with high windows and a circular
on the girdeYg and afIording stand
ing room view over the gallery rail
down at the convention scene far be-
1Dw for hundreds who could find no
place lover down A little triangle Of
bleacs1ers has been inset in each high
corner Of this ultimate gallery OF on
lockers.
Around the gallery rails run long
traaiers Of bunting, masking the rough
81.
blue bunting. studded with silver stars
was in place TO simulate an open sky.
Along the platform rails also the red
white and blue Of the national c0iors
was wound and that and the many
high-clnsterec electric globes, nade-up
the decorations.
Platform Stands Low.
The main platform itself, with It's
projecting speakers bridge In the CEN
TER. Is low for convention practice,
Standing lets than six feet above the
main Go0r Level On both sides Of the
bridge, running far cut and standing
st q lower level ALMOST down To the
floor line. are the press benches and
tables. facing inward toward the bridge
Rabbit holes under the main platform
give quick access ~ the press work
rooms ard those centETg below, although
Cszg1s of telegraph keys With siiencec
syinCeFs glitter on the benches 70 tap
the story Of the convention, word by
word. a. IL transpiTes
Just above the bridge, q huge loud
speaker cluster bangles ~ catch up
eScs1 go5ce and throw II far hack into
the Tesnotest corners of the great
gsoomy hail A whole roY ~ sparkling
yzdlo mikes" confront the speaker, "
sgeep his B0Yds o3t over land and
oceans 70 uloae waiting for the story
Psanking the ends of the main platform
fl6eif are the giassed~in desks of ttye
radio annGDneers, gi2g4E business it u
~ gsYe t9e picture " IL a1 by word oi
mouth, between important speeches
eYen &s t9s news wires send It ogt IN
reading form
And tS35G Wsz the scene and The ma
efgsfeFy sGf instantaneous. nation vide
almost BoT5c~g!de publicity foF 10
61sngs sDn sayinas amid which the Rf,
publican national coDyeutlGn 0f 1921
came sBtG 2e3Dg.