Evening star., 1928-12-08
The Raskob Meeting.

The proposal recently advanced by
John j. RaSkob, chairman of the Demo-
cratic national committee, for a meet
ing Of the Democratic leaders to dis
cuSS plans for the future soon after the
Christmas holidays does not meet with
the approval of Democratic Senators
and Representatives from the South.
Indeed, many of these Southern Demo-
Gratis would like to see Mr.. RaSkob do
just one thing-take himself out of the
picture by resigning his Craftsmanship.
That is, for political purposes. But be-
fore Mr.. Raskob gracefully retires from
the picture these Democrats would like
to see him pay off, or arrange to have
paid off, the $1,3OO,OOO deficit growing
out of the Democratic campaign.
Four years ago, after John w. Davis
had been defeated by President Cool
idge, some of the Democrats we're all
for national conference, and some of
them went so far as to demand the
scalp of Glen Shaver, who had been
chairman of the Democratic national
committee during the 1924 campaign.
But the ructions in the Madison Square
Garden convention were still fresh.
There was bitter feeling between the
McAdoo and Smith factions of the
party. No such meeting was held, and
things were allowed to slide along on
the theory that time would heal the
wounds. Mr.. Shaver continued as chair
man, and before the national conven-
ton last June was able to announce
that the deficit from that campaign had
been paid off.
There is no less bitterness between
the Smith and anti-Smith factions of
the party now than there was in 1924.
If anything the differences are greater
today. There is a group among the
Democrats who feel that Gov. Smith
was given his day, and that 1t is time
for him-and for Mr.. Raskob-to step
aside and allow others to carry on the
effort to rehabilitate the Democratic
party. But they run counter to the
Smith supporters, who already are in
sisting that their idol be given the
nomination again in 1882.
Democratic Senators are asking what
good could arise from conference
now, with wounds still green and feel
ing running high. They do not see
either Gov. Smith or Mr.. Raskob waiv-
ing their leadership in the party, not
at this juncture They prefer period
for cooling off," Their hopes are in
the future, and they believe they can
be realized better by letting the future
take care of itself for a time. A good
many of the Democratic Senators and
Representatives who supported Smith
during the campaign, while feeling ran
high in their own States against the
New York governor, are likely to have
very hard time when 1t comes to
their own denomination and reelection
| to Congress. They are not anxious to
have the matter stirred further now
They fear that perhaps such meet
ing as that suggested by Mr.. Raskoh
would undertake to indorse Gov. Smith
again for denomination four years
hence. They do not intend to be drawn
into such a situation again if they can
help it. They are remembering HouS-
| ton.
On the other hand, there are Demo
Gratis WHO believe it would be better to
face the issue promptly and get rid o1
it If they can. They saw the party wait
four years after John W. Davis defeat
with no gathering until the Jackson da;
dinner here in Washington last Winter
They are saying that little was accom-
plished by "pussyfooting" during the
previous three years.
One thing seems clear as crystal. A
national meeting of Democratic leaders
proposed by Mr.. Raskob, would be u
very wide political interest.
A short session of Congress Otter