THE CAMPAIGN: Cheers

The arrangements for the formal notification of President Coolidge of his nomination required that the actual address of acceptance be made within Memorial Continental Hall, the building of the Daughters of the American Revolution, which stands only a couple of blocks southwest of theWhite House.

At six in the evening, crowds began to assemble. About 2,000 admission tickets had been issued. Some 10,000 people gathered in the park opposite the ball and listened "by amplifier."

The audience within watched eagerly for celebrities. Secretary Hughes was spied. He had landed in Manhattan that morning, on his return from Europe; had hastened to Washington for the ceremony. He and the other members of the Cabinet were accommodated with seats on the platform; all wore white trousers and blue coats with the exception of the two new members—Attorney General Stone and Secretary of the Navy Wilbur—who were in formal dress.

Shortly after eight, Mrs. Coolidge, hatless and in white, accompanied by her son, John, and by Mr. and Mrs. Frank W. Stearns, entered a box, and was received with applause. A moment later, Calvin Coolidge appeared on the platform. The audience, standing, applauded again.

A moment later, Chairman Butler of the Republican National Committee opened the proceedings; the band played The Star Spangled Banner. A prayer was offered; and then Mr. Butler introduced Frank W. Mondell, Chairman of the Notification Committee, onetime Representative from Wyoming and Chairman of the National Convention. He spoke briefly, making the formal notification. Then Mr. Coolidge came forward to make his speech. A fat little man in the front row (name unknown) appointed himself cheerleader and led the applause at appropriate intervals, waving handkerchiefs in both hands. At the close, Secretary Hughes, inspired by the moment to abandon his reserve, came forward, waved his hands and called on the audience for three cheers.

Although the meeting was held in the Hall where President Harding had opened the Limitation of Armaments Conference in 1922, no mention was made of his name in either of the speeches.