The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-06-14
BY BYRON PRICE

Convention Hall, Kansas Cit.,,
Mo-, June 14.-(P,-Advancing with
swinging stride toward the nomin-
alton of ticket and final adjourn
ment by noon tomorrow, the Hoov-
er majority in the Republican Ma.
tional convention today rallied in
overwhelming numbers to repel of
final spectacular attack by western
insurgents and members Of the Nc.
Nary -Haugen block on an adminis-
tration party platform omitting
mention of the equalization fee.
In floor fight Of real proper
tions, the dissenters made repeated
sallies at the steadfast ranks of the
Coolidge-Hoover. forces, with the
farm relief plank as their central
objective. Linked as it was with the
protest of the allied candidates
against Hoover himself as a party
candidate, the farm plank warfare
completely overshadowed a lesser
dispute over the prohibition plank.
Young La Toilette of Wisconsin,
following in the footsteps of faith
er whose insurgency spread its rec
ord during his lifetime on the his
tory Of whole string of Republican
conventions, took the lead in the
assault on the tentative platform
draft submitted by Smoot of Utah,
chairman of the platform commit
tee. Offering complete platform
of his own, in which farm relief
took the place of greatest promin-
ence, the Wisconsin senator was
smothered under a chorus of "noes"
after the convention had paid him
the personal tribute of a rousing
ovation at the end Of his speech. He
did not ask for a roll call.
La Toilette Fighting Speech
The second and major attack was
launched under the leadership Of
Earl c. Smith of the Lowden-
pledged Illinois delegation, who
spoke for minority plank support
ed by fifteen membe. Of the plat
form committee, and approving the
twice-vetoed equalization fee for ag-
riculture. 1t was this proposal
which precipitated a division of the
convention all along the line. be.
tween the Hoover and Coolidge dele
gates supporting the presidential
veto. and the dele .ates Of the allied
forces standing out against the
Hoover ma. Gritty.
The fighting speech of La Toilette
was one of the most colorful of the
convention. In a manner of deliv-
cry reminiscent oi his father, Bob"
the elder, the young senator kept
the attention of every delegate as
he pleaded for the policies of the in
surgent Wisconsin Republicans. At
one point, when he mentioned Pres
ident Coolidge's veto Of the McNary-
Haugen bill, the speaker was greeted
with ironic applause frorl the adj
ministration deleg; !. led by the
Massachusetts, delegation in the
front row just before the speakers
stand.
ut is so unusual for a delegate
from Wisconsin to receive applause
in Republican convention" he re-
piled, smiling down on Massachu-
setts, "that thank you from the
bottom of my heart"
No reply was made to the La
Toilette speech, the convention
voting overwhelmingly end ins:..n-
ter to reject out Of hand his minor
it, report.
With the Hoover majority in full
control and growing hourly, the del
egates appeared convinced that
about all that remained to be de-
cided was the size of the vote by
which the convention was to adopt
a declaration of principles in full
harmony with the policy of the Re-
publican administration and then
nominate President Coolidge's Sec
retary Of commerce to head the
ticket. The vice presidency, how
ever, still was in doubt, and Hoov-
er's running mate probably will not
be selected until tomorrow.
Even the prospect of real action
after day and two nights Of wait.
ing for the platform committee to
iron out its troubles, did not lure
the. delegates into the convention
CONTINUED on Page Two)