Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-15
DEMOCRATS HOLD ;
NEW YORK STAGE
Results of Committee Meet.
Us ing Apt TO Stir Up
Argument.
snec,al DISPATCH To The star.

ALBANY, n. y, July Is. ~-ENerNthini
was Democratic politically. In New Yorl
State during the past week. So far a:
surface activities were concerned there
was no such party as the Republican
Obviously. this was due entirely to the
fact that the Democratic national com.
n1ittee held its big organization and get.
underway meeting in the home State Of
the party's presidential candidate Gov
Al Smith. New York State Republicans
of which, incidentally, il must not be
forgotten that there is no mean number
appeared to be entirely content to sill
hack and let the Democratic fireworks
fare up for the week.
The happenings in New York City
when the national committee met went
of with dispatch and eclat. entirely &C
cording TO the dictates of the chief can
dioate. But that does not mean that
they were not of nature to cause a
real stir generally and start vigorous
re-campaign line Of discussion and ar
gument
First among these happenings was
the selection as national party chair
nan of John Jacob Raskob of Whining
ton, Del, representative of the biggest
ri biz business" Roman Catholic. mill
tent vet, friend OF Tammany's inner
circle.
Seen as Bold Move.
II was generally looked upon as a bold
Sm;thesQue nlove-a bid for the conf
dsnce of big business which the Demo-
Gratis have additionally failed to win
in their national campaigns for many
years Politicians looked at IL in this
way---it Was case of bidding for this
big business backing or bowling to the
undensahle undercurrent Of feelings
whose rnurmurings from the South are
clearly heard here against the Roman
Catholic-wet- Tammany aspects of the
Democratic standard bearer.
The Democrats, in selecting RaSkob
certainly broke far from the traditional
politician type. In the latest issue of
Who's Who" in America. MFR. Raskoh
Is classified as Republican Person.
ally. he told the committee he has no
politics. Not only is he chairman OF
the finance committee of the General
Motors Corporation. but he is also an
active member of the National ASsocia-
ton Against Prohibition.
Business men here were divided in
their views as to the advisahility of the
Raskob selection General Motors drop
ped eight points on the stock market
the day the appointment was made.
Some critics OF the move seized upon
this as an indication that the political
connection OF the General Motors OH
c.al might have a detrimental effect
upon stocks and even the sales Of Gen.
erai Motors products. This was gen.
orally discounted. however, and 1t was
pointed out that the whole market was
weak that day because OF the tight
credit situation.
Young Is Mentioned.
II was Immediately reported on excel
lent authority that Mr.. RaSkoh will not
by any means be the sole representa-
tive of big business In the Democratic
national campaign councils. It was said
there would be an imposing array of
business talent on the campaign advis-
Org committee yet to be selected and
such persons are mentioned for positions
nsre as Owen D. Young, chairman OF
the General Electric Co.
A curious development attended
upon the meeting of the national
committee when Chairman Raskob
following g previous lead of Gov.
Smith. announced formally that there
would be no mud singing" Ia The
coming campaign SIS far as Demo-
Gratis are coricerned-that ii viii be a
campaign Of selling your own goods
rather than running down your COM
petitor's. At almost the same time
came publicly active in such q way that
be was credited with undertaking the
attack" feature OF Democratic CAM
paign strategy.
The newspapers carried side By side
Chairman Ra6kob'E quiet assertion that
amud-siinging, so-called, always makes
more enemies than friends" and assur-
ance that he would like to pledge every
speaker and worker for our cause TO
constructive policies and O. vitrioiic
attack by Senator Reed on Herbert
Hoover. Republican standard bearer. for
his organized political appetite" and
his extreme British Affiliations"
Senator Reed. incidentally one OF the
strongest opponents Of Gov. Smith In
tire ere -convention campaigns for non-
ination, made whatever peace there was
u make with the party standard bear
ers and assured the governor It would
be all right in Missouri
Headquarters In Gotham.
National headquarters for these Dem
pcrats are virtually certain To be estab-
Iisi1ed in New York City, despite tft
feeling on the part Of some Of the prom
inent party members that at least nomi.
nal headquarters ought TO be maintainet
"a Washington The meeting Of thesna'
fionsi committee showed that Eastern
ers are to take the leading places in
the direction Of the campaign.
Furthermore, the choice OF the ma
flcnai chairman. with all that he stands
for. wss taken In the face Of an expires
sion ri fear of Southern detection By
Senator Joseph T. Robinson. Gov
Smiths running mate. The suggestion
was even made that branch headqilaT
tiers might be advisable tn. thf 6oiie
South. THOMAS c. GTOWELL.