Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-06-24
VAST HALL READY
FOR CONVENTION
ilouston's Enormous Struc-
ture, Built for Purpose, Is
Ideal in Appointments.
ny the Associated Press.

gay and graceful in its gardened setting
Houston's Convention Hall, risen as by
magic almost overnight, awaits the
trooping hoydcs of the national democ-
racy. coming 70 sit there next week in
convention assembled to meet the
Hoover challenge Of Repuolcan oppo-
nents,
Its mighty structure the people OF
Houston have raised for their guests.
Immaculate in its paint and bunting,
open to every breeze, redolent with
bracing. pungent odor Of the forest of
new-cut Mississippi pine that went into
its making. it is more like seaside
pleasure palace. dedicated to mirth and
music. than a hall designed and built
with an eye single 10 the prosaic, prac-
tical business OF politics,
And it's a far, far cry. indeed. from
cingy dilapidatsd old Madison Square
Garden, now itself but a memory
where the Democrats last sat down to-
gsther to ballot endleSsly on party
presidential nominee.
Yet into the making of Houston s
slnszillg political pavilion, soon to oe
dedicated TO the surge of that old waltz
tune, The Sidewalks Of New York"
that rocked the country four years ago,
has gone all that the years have taught
as TO the mechanical problems OF con-
vention holding It is a building made
20 order for the purpose, a political
city under one huge roof,
No Circus Odor.
For the first time there are no inn
provised arrangements to worry WITH
no haunting. unhappy doors of clrcuses
Of other days to be politely overlooked.
The thing is so vast so clear OF OBJ
s.ructions TO the view, so stunning IN
the diamond groining Of timber COD
wehbery that seems 10 leave the triple
sweep of rounded roof dones noating
IN air in defiance Of every known law
Of nature. that it heggars description:
Just a day ago. it seems, hudole OF
tImble-down shacks occupied the
ground
Now the wide-fiung reaches OF THIS
gas. alluring. windswept hall, set with
IN its pallSado of woven wire and
barbed arrangements TO meet the at
tack Of gate crashers, stands IN land
scaped. living gardens amid graveleo
paths. its windows graced with endless
rows of bright-hued blossoms that come
end 60 with the hours, changing the
oolor scheme By natures dictum.
Outside. the hall. graced with orna-
mental towers and arches for scenic
L.
raintwork that shoots back no dazzling
sun reflection TO blind an observer. The
mighty roof is striped with alternate
broad bands of dull red and duller gray
a. an added sun defense. AND the
titanic hospitality house, with its acres
CT open pavilionS, its batteries OF radio
speakers which Houston has prepared
for unofficial guests who have no tickets
70 the show. is in keeping in form, col
o-ing and contour with the nall ltsen.
II all looks like Coney Island pleas
u-e center, transplanted by some magic
Garnet to this Texas port whose sea
outlet is so miles away down ship
canal.
Platform at Side.
The arrangements scheme in the hall
Itself substitutes square for the con-
yeritionai oval layout. The fat main
6oor Is booked OF with squares OF
seats for delegates, alternates and i1-
vitsd guests. Along all one side runs
the platform, the convention control
center. barred OF from the floor by
high, white painted barrier that has
onlv single narrow stair OF approach
from the floor.
seats for the press, more than 500 OF
them. stand along the first two levels
above the barrier. facing inward to-
ward the high, projecting speakers
bridge Above, rising gently to the
second floor balcony level, where the
nuea corridor connecting the network
ri Committee and work rooms is visible.
e. the national committee space in the
center, fianked on either hand by
ir1genicusiy arranged seats for dis
tinguisnsd guests.
Around the other three sides Of the
hall are the unressrved seats. going up
IN gentle slope 10 the open wire
screened sides of the building, through
which the breezes pour unchecked
Bright striped awnings are available TO
shut out a chance shower or cut on
low flung glare Of sunlight in late
afternoon o. early morning.
But. aside from the amazing wooden
network Of bracing that forms the roof
with only a double row Of slender pill
lars on either band 10 support 1t all or
break the view. the most striking inno-
walton Of this political tabernacle Is the
great runway that sweeps across the
back of the hall from side to side,
above and behind the last row Of gal
iery seats. That is the place where all
the world and his wife may come to
Jock IN on a national convention IN
action, Big stairways give access on
che side from beyond the wire defenses
s-ain on the other side.
Must Keep Moving.
All who will may come and go across
that bridge. provided only that they
keep moving The whole picture Of the
convention will be before their eyes as
they shuttle along. cut OF from them
or1lv b. a high, tight woven wire screen.
For the frSf time, in fact as Wei as
fancy. a national convention is 10 be
open 20 all corners.
Crows nests for the cameTamen, each
with q battery Of huge searchl.gnts
available 70 food the scene below with
their white glare, have been set close
against the roof Al the top OF each OF
the dozen or 50 supporting pillars. Inc
main Yocf span covers q space I'D by
316 feet without cross girder or OBJ
Tsr7icti0u Of any kind. II is just sin
Gle. mighty wooden cave with gently
rngsya1ed roof above, Wierd In the
strange diamond patterning Of the
cracing.
e the reservation for band and three
n them will alternate continuously
curing the non business hours In the
nar Around the Louyres are set buni-
sng ss1nbursts made up IN semblance Of
s1e Lone Star flag Of Texas, while IN
gnA center over Inc piaIDEM mighty
cared Reproduction Of the great seal
A The United States is set IN gold and
nlt,e. irin2ed oyer the top sector with
: s-ere Of silken national flags dropping
gracefully from pointed STATS.
And down IN one corner, henking the
platform. with an entrance all its own
kagt separated ana set of from the rest
ri the convention by woven wire
fcyeens is one kttle corner that makes
she observer know this is Dixie land
n vii seat maybe 200 folks, or So and
ABOVE ID, boldly painted, is the single
aoFd tcoiored@
hnh thus has the stage been set. with
5Lse ryaoasne tnoSasS1 lite far the great