Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-12
SEE BUSINESS BID
IN RASKOB CHOICE
Politicians Discern Move to
AIIay Fear of Smith in
Realms of Trade.
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.

John ]. Raskob. "Al Smith Republic
can" and corporation magnate. as
Democratic national chairman is in
terpreted by Republican leaders as ally
ing the Smith campaign horse, foot and
dragons with big business" That is
the positive aspect of the General
Motors officials accession to the Demo-
cratic leadership in the 1928 fight. The
negative aspect, from which the G. O.
p derives no little comfort, is that the
Democrats viii no longer be in position
to aSsail the Republicans as the party
of ''the interests" Indeed, If early in
dications at washington following Mr.
RaSkob'S selection are any criterion, 1t
may come to pass that the Republicans
will turn the tables and pillory the
Democrats as the fair -haired boys OF
capital, corporations and commerce.
Republican Spokesman are relieved by
the Raskob Craftsmanship from still
another angle, It makes it easier, they
declare, to bear up under the accusa-
ton that the @. o. p. Is an unhoiy
ally OF the power trust" The Gen.
eral Motors Corporation. especially the
du Pont interests now so predominant
in 1t, is said to be primary factor In
the great northeastern Pioneer" power
development enterprise, which has
ramifications extending from the New
England States and New York into the
Canadian provinces. The Pioneer
organization is the one with which. It
was once stated, Herbert Hoover might
some day be identified In super -execu-
tive capacity, IL he ever chose to leave
the Department of Commerce.
Business Motive Seen.
From the Democratic standpoint, the
Raskob national Craftsmanship is In
tended. to carry q reinsurance to the
American business world that an AL
Smith presidency would not be dis
turbing factor in prosperity" No in
dustry is more deeply interested in per-
petuation of good times than the auto
mobile industry. Mfr. Raskob brings
still another quality to the direction OF
the Democratic campaign. He Is an or
ganizing genius worthy OF the steel OF
Herbert Hoover.
Like Hoover. Raskob may be depended
upon TO apply the touch OF the prac-
tical business man to the game OF poll
tiles. He is now chairman of the finance
committee of the General Motors Cor
poFtation and its vice president He also
represents the General Motors-du Point
interests on the directorate of the Sea-
board National Bank OF New York.
Everybody knows of the keen rivalry
between Henry Ford and General Mo-
tors. Raskob's close alliance with Al
Smith Is bound, politicians aver. to
drive Henry Ford closer into the arms
of Herbert Hoover The Detroiter al
ways has been a Hoover man. Now
Ford may have an added incentive TO
take front seat in the Hoover band
wagon.
Much Smith Money Seen.
II long has been foreshadowed that
the Smith campaign would have behind
1t more money than any Democratic
presidential contest In years has had
st its back. The New Workers. multi
millionaire friend. Bill" Kenny, is a
financial host in himself, and told the
Senate campaign funds committee that
the whole Kenny fortune, If necessary.
was at AIS" beck and call. Now comes
John j. Raskob Of the richest corpora
ton In the world.
In designating his Republican friend
Raskob as his field marshal, al
Smith dealt an astonishing blow at
Democratic politicians During the
past few days, the cards seemed def
initely stacked in favor Of Senator Peter
GoeIet Gerry OF Rhode Island as ma
tionai chairman.
Copyright. 1919