Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-06-14


sion OF convention chiefs.
Butler Chats With Fess.
The platform became momentarly
more thickly populated with notables,
but no one took any steps TO start the
show. At 11:15, however, an assistant
sergeant-at-arms appealed through the
megaphones tor the delegates to take
their seats Nobody did.
Nicholas Murray Butler, the repealist,
chatted on the speakers stand with
Of the War Department, arriving from
Washington with Mrs. Hurley, was
questioned about the prohibition plan,
but said nothing, smiling. Another wet
leader, Senator Bingham of Con-
necJlcut. bent his more than six feet
Of height to pass in and out under the
tunnel leading from floor to platform
he was very busy coming and going.
At 1925 Senator Fess made his nrst
try for order, bringing down the gavel
with big whack. The delegates began
to file out of the aisles, and it looked
as though the Senator, much to his
surprise, might get order without much
begging.
He did get comparative quiet just at
1850. He sprang a surprise on the
convention at once, producing tableau
in honor of Flag day, unlisted on the
official program.
In words of patriotic appeal. the
Senator glorified the Stars and Stripes
AS he concluded, a Legion colCr guard,
in white helmets, blue coats and white
trousers, marched through the aislcs
to front and center, facing the chair
man at present arms as the band
played The Star Spangled Banner"
A great American flag was unfurled
suddenly to hang directly above the
center Of the arena. The g!ee club took
as the band muted its tones and the
color guard marched out. Delegates
and spectators rose and cheered.
Silas StraWn, Just retiring as chair
man of the Chamber of Commerce of
the United States. was presented to
introduce Mayor Anton Cermak, and
did it in few words. The mayor read
his speech. declaring Chicago welcomed
the visitors with a warm heart"
In black cost Of clerical cut, Right
Rev. James E. Freeman, Episcopal
bishop of Washington, intoned the open
ing prayer, asking Almighty God fer
'freshened courage. renewed hope,
clearer vision" The whole company,
on its feet. was really silent fer the
first time.
1t broke into a mounting hum of
conversation again as George de B.
Keim CT New Jersey read the dry and
dusty official call of the convention. 1t
was only a formality and Keim ran
through it quickly,
Tess Presents Dickinson.
FeSs then presented Senator Dickin-
son as temporary chairman and amid
universal handclapping the Senator
was escorted to the chair by Gov. James
Rolph, jr., Of California, Gov Dan
Turner Of Iowa and Gen. Edward Mar
tin of Pennsylvania.
Senator Dickinson plunged into the
reading of his speech with a vigorous
impetus. He got the delegates to their
feet cheering almost at once by trib-
ute to Herbert Hoover. Almost there
was a demonstration, but not quite.
Gov. Rolph of the Presidents home
State waved the California flag high
above his delegation, the band played
few bars of America" but it was
all over in less than minute and
Dickinson went ahead.
Copies of the speech had been placed
in the hands of convention leaders long
blings of a stampede to Gen. Dawes
watched carefully when Senator Dick
inson approached passage in which he
mentioned Dawes work for the Recon-
struction Finance Corporation; but
when the name was pronounced, MOTH
ing much happened.
Under the direction Of Gen. Dawes"
said Dickinson, reading rapidly and not
very clearly, this agency has fur
nished aid to banks, railroads, agricul-
tural organizations, building and loan
associations and other organizations"
Most of the delegates did not get the
name at all until the Senator was in
the next sentence. There was a little
scattered handclapping, which hardly
rose at any time to the level of the
speakers own voice. 1t died very
quickly.