POLITICAL NOTES: California, Here We Come

With commercial jets about to span the U.S. in 5 ½hours, central geography is no longer such a factor in choosing political convention sites. More important to coffer-conscious political leaders is the amount that major U.S. cities are willing to pay for the prestige of a convention and for the loot that flows in for hotel rooms, meals, entertainment, etc. Last week, when Democratic National Committeemen met in New Orleans to pick their 1960 convention site, representatives of four cities—Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami and Philadelphia—were willing, and waving sizable sums of cash.

Each of the four was prepared to pay $350,000 for the convention, plus assorted fringe benefits. Studying the offers, the Democrats eventually settled on Los Angeles’ fringes, e.g., profits from sales of the convention program, hotel and working space for the convention staff. Going home to prepare for the first political convention in the city’s history, happy Angelenos looked forward to snagging a second. With TV networks lobbying for a cost-cutting pair of conventions in the same hall, the G.O.P. might also choose Los Angeles’ new sports arena.