REFORM PARTY CONVENTION Key floor events at the Reform Party National Convention in Long Beach, Calif. All times are EDT. Wednesday, Aug. 9 12 p.m.: Credentialing committee meets to decide which delegates will be seated and receive voting privileges for states where the party has split into rival Buchanan and anti-Buchanan delegations. Thursday, Aug. 10 1 p.m.: Convention called to order. 7:15 p.m.: Presidential candidates speak. Friday, Aug. 11 7:15 p.m.: Winner of the rolling, mail-in primary is announced. Saturday, Aug. 12 12:30 p.m.: Vice presidential nominations are made. Nominee can recommend a running mate, but the delegates choose one. 7:15 p.m.: Nominee and running mate speak. Sunday, Aug. 13: 3:55 p.m.: Site selection for 2001 convention; Platform Committee makes presentation.

As the sides shouted at one another and threatened legal action, Buchanan dismissed the "little tiffs" between factions as sour grapes from longtime party members seeing their clout disappear.

"I think you'll see, just by yourselves, taking a look at the energy and fire and the numbers here, this nomination belongs to us," Buchanan told a few hundred chanting supporters gathered at his hotel.

Both sides had calmed down by Wednesday afternoon, but tension was in the air. Arriving here on the eve of the convention, Buchanan jumped onto a platform and proudly waved the local newspaper overhead with the headline: "Reform Storm."

Buchanan was looking ahead to the general election, where he hopes to compete with Democrat Al Gore and Republican George W. Bush. With a yet-to-be named running mate, Buchanan plans a post-Labor Day bus tour and a modest round of advertisements on radio and television. He also insists that he should participate in debates against the major party candidates, despite his barely-there poll standing.

"These little tiffs, these disputes, will be behind us by Sunday," Buchanan said. "We will give them and we will give you the fight of our lives."

But first, a passionate band of opponents loyal to party founder Ross Perot were fiercely battling his effort to seal the nomination. Both sides claim to be the real Reform Party and plan parallel conventions to name their own presidential nominees. At stake is the $12.5 million in federal matching funds that goes to the winner.

Both sides believe a judge and the FEC will ultimately make the decision.

Shouting broke out for a second straight day, this time over which side had the right to occupy a room where the credentials committee would decide which delegates have the right to vote.

"Go Pat go!" shouted Buchanan's supporters, facing their opponents in a hotel hallway.

"Democracy, democracy!" chanted the other side. "Reform, reform!"

In the midst of the chaos, the leaders of the two factions shared an oddly lighthearted moment.

Gerry Moan, the leader of Buchanan's side, turned to the leader of the other side, Jim Mangia, and said quietly, "Are we wrestling for control of the party?" Mangia smiled and said, "Yeah," and the pair shook hands.

The pair also had breakfast Wednesday morning, trying to work out their differences, but failed to reach an agreement.

While shouting marked Wednesday morning, both sides appeared to calm down as the day wore on. By the afternoon, the two contingents were quietly credentialing their delegates at tables just steps from one another.

With Ross Perot not seeking the presidency this year, his Reform Party has descended into a tumultuous battle between two factions. They have broken into parallel conventions that might wind up nominating different candidates.

On one side are forces loyal to Buchanan, who went about systematically recruiting supporters after bolting from the Republican Party.

On the other side are those who fiercely oppose Buchanan, for both his socially conservative views and for his attempts to take control. These members, mostly longtime Perot supporters, are rallying around little-known candidate John Hagelin as the only alternative to Buchanan.

The nominee will be decided by mail-in voting, but the convention can overrule the balloting with a two-thirds vote.

Buchanan's campaign predicted victory, claiming to control more than two-thirds of the delegates. Of 596 possible delegates, Buchanan's forces have 410 committed, or more than 70 percent, said Bay Buchanan, manager for her brother's campaign.

The other side argues that many of these delegates are not legitimate.

A meeting of the credentials committee, scheduled for Wednesday to determine which delegates will get to vote, had not yet occurred as each side claimed to control the crucial panel.

At stake is $12.5 million in federal funds for the nominee.

The Buchanan opponents suggested they might file suit to stop him from claiming the money. But after meeting into the early morning hours Wednesday, they decided against immediately taking their grievance to a court. Instead, they suggested the Federal Election Commission may have to get involved.

"The FEC will have to decide who is the nominee of the party," said former party chairman Russ Verney, adding that the money matter may eventually have to be resolved by a judge. "A court will decide custody of the $12.5 million."

Bay Buchanan said any legal action would be meritless. "Within 10 days after the convention, we will have the matching funds, no matter what legal actions are taken," she predicted.

The division first erupted during what was supposed to be a procedural hearing Tuesday -- the question over who has the right to sit on the national committee. The national committee is responsible for deciding key questions, including who gets credentials and whether Buchanan should be disqualified for breaking party rules in the primary process.