POLITICAL NOTES

Somewhat of New York's old community spirit was visible in a movement set afoot by Joseph P. Day (realtor) to capture the Democratic National Convention of 1924. In all its history Manhattan has had but one such gathering, and that 50 years ago.

Aside from their deep political interest in the project, Mr. Day and his co-promoters realized: 1) The convention would bring 400,000 persons and $25,000,000 to their city; 2) Delegates from other states would " see New York and meet her people and learn that our city is generous and wholesome, warm-hearted and beautiful, and not the soulless monstrosity it has been painted by those who know it not."

Mr. Day and his nucleus invited the butcher, baker, the candlestick-maker to be "citizen aids" on a general committee whose object would be the raising of $250,000 for the expense of the convention.

They asked Hotel-Keepers L. M. Boomer and John McE. Bowman and the Hotel Association promised to save between 10,000 and 15,000 rooms without raising rates.

They asked Storekeepers Fitch (sporting goods), Van Raalt (silks), Huyler and Loft (candy), Macy and Wanamaker (all things), Truly Warner (hats).

They called in Publishers Ochs, Munsey, Reid, Nast and Journalists Finley, Cobb, Van Anda, Gay, Brisbane.

They did not forget Bankers Cromwell, Gibson, Grace, Kahn, Lamont, Mitchell, Morrow, Buckner Sabin, Sisson, Stettinius, Vanderlip, Warburg, Wiggin.

In addition they invited Republicans Charles D. Hilles, Nicholas Murray Butler, George W. Wickersham and many of their friends.

Others: Colyumists Adams and Broun, Archbishop Hayes, Rabbi Wise, Bishop Manning, Attorneys Cravath and Elkins, Shipowner Franklin, Railroader Rea, Producers Cohan and Woods.

Cordell Hull, Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, asserted that five cities have already announced their intention of asking for the Democratic Convention in 1924: New York, Louisville, Atlanta, Cleveland and San Francisco.

It seems surer and surer that Frederic W. Upham (of Chicago, Treasurer of the Republican National Committee) has pocketed enough votes in the Republican National Committee to bring the Republican Convention as usual to Chicago. It was reported that $125,000 will be guaranteed for the expenses of another Convention at the Coliseum.

The old guard is back, according to Mr. Hull, in the stronghold of the Republican Party. Said he: " Conditions have changed for the worse since Taft's time. In fact, they arc five-fold worse than they were then. This is the group that does the financing of the Republican Party. If Roosevelt were alive, no doubt he would be after it hammer and tongs, and denouncing its members for the political porch-climbers and second-story men that they are."

Brigadier General C. E. Sawyer. M. D. to President Harding, laid low a baseless rumor: " Stories that Warren G. Harding belonged to the Ku Klux Klan and that an initiation was held in the state dining-room of the White House are, in my opinion, baseless. They are taking advantage of a man when he can no longer speak for himself."

Dr. Otto Wiedfeldt, German Ambassador to Washington (now vacationing abroad), went motoring a few weeks ago with various officials of the German Embassy. They exceeded the speed limit and were halted by the Law in the town of Bolivar, W. Va. Dr. Wiedfeldt explained his diplomatic immunities, but the justice of Bolivar was unimpressed. The Ambassador paid $5.60 rather than go to jail.

When he returned to Washington, Dr. Wiedfeldt wrote a note to Secrecretary Hughes asking the return of $5.60. The Secretary of State wrote to the Governor of West Virginia: the Governor wrote to the Road Commissioner; the Road Commissioner wrote to the Mayor of Bolivar in order that diplomatic usage and $5.60 might be restored.

Senator Johnson of Minnesota completed his grand tour of the East. He made:

P: A visit to Philadelphia.

P: A visit to his office in the Senate building at Washington.

P: A call at the Senate disbursing office to draw his pay.

P: A visit to the President. (See page 1.)

P: A speech to the Executives' Club in Chicago.

P: A safe return to Minneapolis.

He said:

P: Of newspapers which make fun of his accent: " Their ridicule is a slap at every immigrant. If I had come to this country when I was ten years old instead of 20, I probably could have overcome my foreign accent."

P: Of the question: "Is President Coolidge a Progressive? " "I don't know. He may be. He hasn't had time to turn around yet. Let's give him a chance to do the turning."

P: Of the lawn before the Capitol: "I like grass. Now, if I only had a few sheep to put out there, I'd be happy."

P: To Senator Harreld of Oklahoma, a Republican: " What state are you from? What are your politics? How did you get a majority to elect a Republican in that state? "

P: To the Executives' Club of Chicago : " Let us reason together and cooperate together. I believe in the golden rule as taught by the lowly Nazarene."

P: To Minneapolitans about Washington : " Sure, I can take care of myself all right down there."

P: Of an extra session of Congress: "It is too late."

Oklahoma continued her fireworks (TIME, Sept. 24, Oct. 1, Oct. 8). The Legislature wanted to meet to impeach Governor Walton. The Governor shouted his desire to strangle the Ku Klux Klan, at the same time using both hands to hold off the Legislature. He could not do both.

At a special election the Legislature secured the right to meet. Then Mr. Walton, seeing resistance vain, went the Legislators one better --he ordered them to meet, but specified that it was to devote its power to-annoy exclusively to the Ku Klux Klan. At any rate, the Legislature was called for Oct. 11, with the Governor preparing to fight for his place in the halls of the law givers and the courts of the law definers.