DAMP REPUBLICIANS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 319, 5 September 1932, Page 7

DAMP REPUBLICIANS

MOYE AGAINST PROHIBITION FORCING THE PARTY'S i HAND. CONVENTION SPEAKEASIES. Chicago, July 14. The Republicans are no longer stern "dries." There is such a division of opinion among the party that "damp" is perhaps the hest word to express the new outlook. These Democrats are already confirmed "wets." While this issue, which may well decide the future of the Republican Party, is being fought out inside the convention, strange scenes are being enacted in the neighhourhood of its headquarters. Well known "speakeasies" have opened hranches in lofts, garages, the basements of warehouses, and, indeed, in every available spot. It is estimated that there are 500 in the neighhourhood. Makeshift bars have been hastily constructed, and shelves are lined with ~ bottles bearing labels familiar to England. Almost any hrand of liquor is obtainahle with ease. Whisky, alleged to he Scotch, is now selling at £1 15s a bottle. Champagne costs £2 8s a. quart. Beer is priced at £2 10s a case of 24 bottles, or ls a glass. Cocktails cost 3s a glass, and gin is sold at 2s 6d a glass. "Grand Picnic." Chicago has been selected as the rendezvous because it is oentrally situated for a national meeting, and also, it is whispured, because Chicago "has enough liquor on hand to float the Atlantic fleet." Delegates have come with their wives and friends to a colossal picnic, and since each must pay his own expenses, they are usuaily fairly well off financially. The city is gaily decorated to-day, and a holiday spirit prevails. The great stadium, which is the scene of the convention, holds 20,000 people. It is adorned with flags of the 48 States of the Union. Seats are provided for 700 reporters and special writers. Over the platform there are big coloured pictures of Washington, Lincoln, and Roosevelt. Networks of wireless will keep the . American public in hourly touch with every speech and development, but the task is difficult because of the inevitable pandemonium, which reduees all voices to one metallic roar. Circus-ring Procession. There will be a spectacular climax to a remarkable show. It will be preceded by yelling processions of delegates in the three-ring circus of the Stadium. Each delegation will be headed by its State hanner and brass band. Delegates will adjourn informally to burlesque theatres and the "speakeasies" of Chicago. Recreation is necessary, because the delegates sit cn hard chairs in the Stadium, and there is little knee room. Observed at close range, the threering circus, the terrific clamour, the shouts, catcalls, and whistling, the toy trumpets, th'e dingy flags. and the j fuming and voting, constitute a not ' very edifying demonstration. But it has its elements of rollicking good humour, and gaudy pictnresqueness to which delegateg for nearly 100 years have been accustomed-.