The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-07-12
KEEPING UP
With
THE NE WIS
BY LUDWELL DENNY

XXTASHINGTON, July 12.-This
w man AL Smith moves so fast
the politicians can not keep up with
him. Whether he is heading to-
ward political destruction or victory
is in dispute, but that he is going
with blare and a bang all agree.
First he kicks over the careful
Democratic platform compromise
on prohibition by shouting from the
house tops that he is for modifica-
ton Of that law and is running as
an honest wet candidate.
While the country is trying to
catch its breath over that act of
daring, AL jumps into the farm re-
lief dispute with a letter to an In
diana Farm Bureau Federation off,
cial pledging a special farm con-
ference Immediately after his
hoped-for election, and in plenty Of
time to prepare legislation before
Congress meets.
Now he picks a capitalist to con-
duct his campaign. And great is
the furry on the political rooSts
in Washington as result.
John j. RaSkob, chairman of the
finance committee of General
Motors, who has been chosen chair
man Of the Democratic national
committee, is more than a repre-
sentative Of big business.
Raskob is also a Catholic, a wet
and a former Republican voter.
THE political reaction to Ras-
Il kob's appointment come so thick
and fast, it will be several weeks
before the Democratic and Repub-
lican politicians agree on the results
of this move. But here are the fac
tors involved:
First-Smith's departure is in
picking an outsider" instead of
politician. Raskob has no political
training. His campaign strategy
will be that of a business man
handling a sales campaign. He has
in Smith and Robinson what he
calls good product in the way of
ticket which he proposes to "selT'
to the American public.
He does not know "the boys" who
boss the Democratic wards and dis
trictS out through the country. Pre-
sumably he will count upon their
service and wisdom, but if he has
reason to doubt they are getting re-
suits he probably will send out a
high-powered salesman from the
head office to hook up speed.
Second-As a man who is said to
have voted Republican, except in
Woodrow Wilson years, RaSkob is
more concerned with candidates
than with parties. AS irony would
have it, just as some of the rock
ribbed Republicans have been object
ing that Hoover has not always
been a last-ditch G. 0. P. regular.
Smith demonstrates how little he
values narrow party loyalty by put
ting the Democratic party ma
chinery in the hands of man who
lists himself in who's Who" as a
Republican.
Third-"Capitalist" is what Ras-
kob calls himself in who's Who"
Now there is an old rule in both po-
litical parties which gives capital
lists" awfully important places be-
hind the scenes as givers of money
and advice, without advertising their
campaign Importance. That was one
reason, it is said, that "Uncle Andy"
Mellon managed the last Republican
campaign from the rear rather than
from the front, and also why he
himself has never been a presiden-
tial candidate.
This rule was also cited as suf1-
cient reason why Smith should not
name his friend Owen D. Young of
General Electric as Democratic
chairman. But obviously there is no
essential difference in this respect
between Young and Raskob.
Il
EOURTH-Since "Wall Street"
Il tried to use Banker Dawes to
block the. nomination of Herbert
Hoover, whom it dislikes, Smiths
selection of Raskob is interpreted by
some as emphasizing that the Dem
ocratic candidate has the confidence
oof big business.
But it appears that big business is
divided and that at least part of it
is trying to become reconciled to
Hoover.
1t is assumed that Smith has de-
cided that such connection with
wall Street" as is represented by
Raskob will help him politically
more than it will hurt him. 1t is
assumed that he feels he already
has the faith and support of larys
numbers of the rank and file, but
very much needs the support of the
average business man and banker
throughout the country.
There can be no doubt that one
of Smiths chief obstacles is the
belief Of many business communities
that Democratic administration
would be bad for business" Ras-
kob's management of the Demo-
cratic campaign apparently is in
tended as an answer to precisely
that widespread superstition" as
the Democrats call it.
Fifth-Finally the choice of an
eastern, wet, Catholic campaign
manager for an eastern, wet, Catho-
lie candidate indicates that Smith
is not afraid of the Republicans
raising the religious and prohibition
issues against him. Indeed, some
believe this shows that Smith is
inviting the Republicans to raise
these issues, which he thinks will