Evening star., 1924-07-16
DEMOCRATS BUILD
ALL NEW MACHINE
Lack of Organization Since
1912 Makes Complete Party
Reorganization Vital.
BY ROBERT r. SMALL.


NEW YORK, July 16.-The Demo-
Gratis have undertaken the building Of a
national political machine for the first
time since 1912. With the exception of
the control exercised over it by Wood
row Wilson, the party has had no or
ganization for the past IL years. Nom-
inally there has been a national COM
mittee, but it has seldom functioned. In
the campaign of four years ago 1t was
presidential candidate, James NJ Cox.
1t seemed lacking in financial and all
other resources. Gov. Cox fought the
battle Of 1890 practically alone. Wher-
ever he went-and he traversed the
country from one end to the other-the
members Of his party were astounded at
the complete lack of direction in Demo-
cratic affairs.
This year it is claimed all this is go
ing to be changed The breakdown in
1890 was ascribed largely to the lack Of
funds. The Democrats were penniless
at the start Of the campaign and in debt
at the finish. The breakdown also was
attributed in some quarters to the fact
that the Democrats had for eight years
placed their destiny completely in the
hands Of one man-President Wilson.
Mr.. Wilson never was much Of a be-
lever in party organizations as such,
and he did little or nothing to keep the
national Democratic machine intact
Democrats generally were willing to ac-
cept Mr.. Wilson as their dictator. Then
came his collapse, and for the campaign
Of four years ago organization was all
but completely lacking.
Let OrEanixations Go.
Mr.. Wilson did comparatively little
to foster even the state organizations
of his party.
Notably, he 1aunted Tammany Hall
here in New York City and also ig-
nored Charley Murphy in matters of
state patronage. One reason for the
enmity held by the late leader of
Tammany Hall against William Gibbs
McAdoo was the 1atter's activity in
saying where the federal offices in
New York State should go. Tam
many's feeling was so bitter in the
matter Mr.. McAdoo realized he could
never be New York's choice for the
Democratic nomination and he moved
away to California, where the politi-
cal atmosphere was not only friendly,
but wildly enthusiastic. The friends
Of Mr.. Murphy, however, still formed
an anti-McAdoo bloc and declared
moro than once at the recent conven-
ton that the late Presidents son-in.
law should not pass.
The task Of building before the
that is why John w. Davis, the can
didate, is thinking Of advising a
change in the Democratic form of
organization. He realizes the burden
will be too heavy for one man. There
is too much ground to cover. There
fore, In addition to the national
chairman. yet to be chosen, there will
be a sort of board of directors in
touch with headqtarters, with re-
gional directors scattered throughout
the country.
Favor Republican Plan.
The Republicans adopted this form
Of organisation in 1920. but are gem
orally discarding it a. unnecessary
this year. Under the regional plan
one man has general supervision of
the campaign in Eve or six adjacent
states. Some OF the Republican best
minds" were not satisfied with the
scheme and felt that better results
were to be obtained by leaving each
state orHanixation supreme in its own
territory and subject only to the gem
eral advice and consent" Of the ma
tional committee and tho candidate
There IL 90 much work to be done
By the Democrats. however, that 1t is
felt regional assistance not only Is
needed, but will be welcomed by the
sagging state machines
Mr.. Davis Is going to call upon the
very best minds" of the party in each
state. He has been promised co-op-
sration all along the line. Prominent
(COnt3nuAd on Pare 2 C0lUmn ~