Disinterest Marks Convention Opening

SAN FRANCISCO, July 13--Thousands of delegates, alternates, and visitors at the 28th Republican National Convention made the six-mile trip to the Cow Palace today to listen to a full bill of bounteous and turgid oratory. An obvious disinterest pervaded the opening session of the convention.

As the speeches flowed on, the real work continued in a complex of hotels in downtown San Francisco, as the top strategists and supporters of both William W. Scranton and Barry M. Goldwater made final preparations for the nominating procedures set to begin on Wednesday.

The largest Scranton rally to date was held this afternoon in Union Square. The Governor arrived in a horse-pulled stagecoach as throngs cheered and appauded his further attacks on the Arizona senator. Even the large band of Ringo Starr-for-President girls was there screaming.

This same enthusiasm and exuberance continues to be displayed by the entire Scranton camp, despite the convincing claims of Goldwater and the national press that the conservative has more than enough committed delegates for a first ballot nomination. Scranton followers are still firm in the conviction that their own delegate count may yet be more correct and their last-minute drive for the nomination successful.

It is difficult at this time for anyone to be sure whether the Scranton forces sincerely believe that the nomination is attainable. But the continued fighting on convention rules and specific planks in the platform and the battling for delegate support seems to be a clear indication that they are espousing a cause they think will--if not in 1964, in 1968--eventually prevail.