The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-06-15

will not satisfy repealfsts. who are organizing for floor fight.
 The administration plank is de- veloped somewhat along the lines of the recommendation of the Wickersham commission. De- nouncing the saloon, 1t provides that in event congress does decide to submit proposed modification of the 18th amendment. it should provide a sub-plan giving to con- gross the right to regulate manu- facture, sale and transportation of intoxicants. This is in order that the return of the o1d-time saloon may be prevented and that power Of the federal government may be thrown around states wishing to remain dry.
 Spokesmen for the extreme drys said the proposal Is totally unac- ceptable" to them. Leading vets said it was unacceptable to them.
 The ddle-of-the-road view was expressed by Garrett D. Ken ney, Illinois member of the plat form drafting committee as fol- lows:
 "We did not get anywhere with the Illinois repeal plank which in- cluded a provision for immediate modification of the Volstead act but 1 believe the plank as drawn will be satisfactory to most Of the wets."
 The crowd moved into the stadium slowly. The morning program was largely routine, including setting up of permanent committees and the deciding of some contested dele- gates. There was., of course, the or- atorical feature of the day, the sec on keynote speech-this one by Representative Bertrand H. Shell of New York, who was picekd some time ago'to be permanent chair man of the convention.
 The convention was expected to take a luncheon recess and return at 4 D. m. to hear the platform but there was a growing possibility that this might be deferred until tomorrow. Numerous state dele gates insisted upon having time to meet among themselves and so over the proposed prohibition plank. Both vets and drys wished to make sure that no jokers were hidden in the etxt.
 Half an hour before the open ing gavel was due, there were more attendants than spectators in the stadium. The organ and band mu- sic echoed vacantly across the rows of empty flaming red seats.
 Here and there a footsore po- liceman was sitting in a delegates s seat.
 The organist. Al Melgard. a young man of 3s. opened his ac- tivities wit hthe tune, You Beau tiful Son of Gun"
 Reports. of Dawes announce ment in Washington in which he said he "could not accept the vice presidential nomination if 1t is offered to him. spread through the convention hall as the delegates assembled.
 It is admitted on all side that whispered enthusiasm for his nom- ination exists.
 Convention leaders however, who are in close touch with the White House reiterated they were confident Curtis would be renomin- ated.
 Representative Shell with his permanent chairman's address in a brown brief case, mounted the platform just before II o'clock. Sergeant-at- Arms began calling to delegates to clear the aisles. The balconies were about 25 per cent filled.
 As word came Dawes would re- fuse the vice-presidential nomina- ton If offered. there was circulated among delegates campaign fold CT headed Hoover cannot be re- elected"
 It was signed by "The Republi- can Citizens Draft Dawes Commit tee of Chicago"
 Addressed to delegates of the re- publican convention the circular said "It Is our sincere belief that President Hoover if re-nominated, cannot win in November" When temporary Chairman l.. J. Dickinson arrived on the platform, the band and organ honored him with Iowa's song There's Where the Tall Corn Grows" The attendance of delegates was probably not more than 50 per cent.
 Representative Shell, before be- ing formally elected permanent chairman, posed with gavel in hand at the speakers desk for news cameras.
 While delegates drifted into the stadium, others were still in con- ference in loop hotels mile away. yania on record favoring imme- A resolution placing Pennsyl- diate modification of the Volstead act and repeal of the 18th amend ment was adopted at a caucus. Convention proceedings were de- layed while similar meetings were held downtown.
 After word of the refusal of Dawes to accept the vice-presiden- tiaI nomination spread whole for est of lightning rods shot up. ] Friends were naming each other and the list of those receiving