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

bers were in the the all-night conference
which drafted it.
Floor Fight Threatened.
More than a fair prospect appeared
that it would be supported by many OF
the warning vets and drys, although a
l.ter floor fight still was threatened by
those who want the party to go all the
way over to repeal.
The Platform Committee. to be named
late today under the craftsmanship OF
James R. Garfield of Ohio, still must
wrestle with the problem before 1t comes
to the convention at all.
One point sure to stir committee de-
bate is the problem of the saloon. The
compromise conference tried to f1nd
way to propose legal barrier to it, but
failed.
The prohibition dispute so far over
Swallowed the convention picture that
every other phase Of the big quadrennlal
event was all but forgotten as the dele
gates came together today at the sta
dunn.
The sudden rise of prohibition
sentiment here had been one OF the
dramatic episodes of political history
The leaders seemed almost as much sur
prised as if the waters of Lake Michi-
gan had risen into their hotels, and
the rank and file was left gasplng at
the tumble Of developments.
W. NJ. Butler Receives Setback.
Second place in the speculation and
concern of leaders and delegates was
held by the question of the vice presi-
dency. The prospects continued to
point toward Curtis denomination,
when nominations are reached Thurs
day, but something at least may depend
on the result Of the prohibition Strug-
gle, which must be settled first. II the
administration gets its way on the wet
and dry issue, the convention may want
to break away on the vice presidency
and pick a new candidate.
That everything is not entirely lovely
for administration desires in this con-
vention was amply demonstrated yes
teroay by delegates from MaSsachu-
sets. William M. Butler of that State
has been under serious discussion here
for national chairman. But his own
deiegs ton refused on its arrival here
10 give him even membership on the
national committee.
Opening Session Brief.
There was no outward sign OF these
internal wars, however, on the surface
of today's gathering in the mammoth
stadium-the same auditorium in which
the Democrats are to meet two weeks
hence. The program was filled instead
after the manner Of opening convention
sessions with the formalitieS and pleas
antries and its tenure was brief. The
opening hour vas II. central daylight
time. and the business in hand was not
sufficient to detain the delegates long
beyond noon.
Late this afternoon. the only two Of
these committees which matter will be-
gin operation. One IS TO accept or re-
write the platform, which the leaders
have already written. and which the
convention can accept or reWrite later
on as it chooses. The other is to hear
contests over the seating Of delegates
notably the contests which involve
Hoover or anti-Hoover control of party
affairs in South Carolina and Missis-
sippi.
Both committees will be expected to
report before tomorrow night, which
means for the platform builders, at
least, no sleep tonight.
Setting Is Somber.
The days brief opening session pur-
posely left controversy aside and oc-
cupied itself with formality
In spite of the great pipe organ which
pealed its thunder through the high
reaches Of the stadium and an American
Legion Band which held forth between
times in a far gallery, the setting of
opening day inclined to the somber.
Outside the day was glum and over
cast. Inside all was color, but it was
undercast by quiet reflection among
the assembled delegates.
The Stadium, a newcomer in long
succession of Chicago auditoriums
which have made convention history,
was afiutter from high roof to floor rail
with the usual convention trappings.
Built as a sports arena. but turned
politics minded for the big twin polit-
ical bill of 1882, the great oval seated
easily the 1854 delegates and their al
ternates or its wide floor, and more
than $4,000 spectators besides in the
three steep terraces Of its circling gal
leries.
Only once before since it was built
has every seat been filled. That was
when Jack Dempsey boxed King Lee
whisky.
Except for its size, however, the hall
presented the usual convention picture.
The whole thing seemed quite familiar.
AS ever. the chairman's platform, raised
high above the floor, jutted out from
the side, not the end Of the oval AS
ever, a great cluster of simplifying meg
aphones hung poised high above the
speakers heads.
Washington Honored.
The wide strip Of press seats, the
American flags, and panels of red
white and blue, completely obscuring
the webbed steel rafters and roofing the
arena with color, all were of the well
accepted pattern Of modern convention
fashion
Only the Father of his Country was
honored in this Bicentennial year, hav-
ing his picture on display. In familiar
bust length pose, Gen. Washington's
likeness was repeated again and again
around platform and gallery rail, clus-
tered with American flags.
The crowd and the delegates were
slow assembling. At IL O'Clock, the
hour set for starting the proceedings
not half the delegation space was filled
and the galleries were only beginning
to show clusters of customers here and
there.
On the platform, Senator Dickinson
was posing for pictures, under the
orders OF a large battalion Of photog-
raphers. Frank o. Lowden Of Illinois
several times voted for as the favorite
of several States for the presidential
nomination, stopped on his way to his
platform seat to shake hands with
Dickinson.
ITS good to be at convention and
have no part in It," said Lowden.
Simeon D. Fess, the party's national
chairman to whom fell the duty OF
calling the convention to order, ap-
peared beside Dickinson. accompanied
by group Of party officials, just at
II o'clock. They held several whispered
consultations; prohibition was on every
tongue. The latest word was that