Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-12
The New Democratic Chairman,

Inc new UemuCTatiC NndlA HIGH.
Instead Of doing The expected thinS
and recommending for the politically
important pest Of chairman Of The
Democratic national committee a sea-
sone6 politician or 4 veteran cam
psigner. Gov. Smith again indicates
the individuality Of his actions by Sc
Iecting John J Rsskob, a personal
friend and described in Who's Who in
America as capitalist" and a Re-
publican. OF Mr. Raskob's ability in
the world Of industry and finance there
can be no question He is best known
as chairman Of the finance committee
Of General Motors. But in addition
he is vice presieen, and member of the
finance committee Of the E. l. du Pont
de Nemours Co, vice president Of the
General Motors Acceptance Corpora
ton. director of the Seaooard National
Bank. the American Surety Co, and
the Delaware Surety Co :
According TO MS own statement Mr..
~
never affiliated himself with any party.
New it remains for him to demonstrate
his ability IN a position which By ira
dition calls for the exercise Of political
acuren IN large degree Mr. Raskob
has done wonders with General Motors.
How viii he make out with the task
Of patiently lending ear 10 long-drav'n-
out reports of conditions in the States;
Of hand shaking. back slapping and
cheerfuily welcoming visitors 70 nation
al headquarters; Of keeping the vol
Of jealousy from the fold Of harmony;
Of granting small requests. diplomat
ically denying others and putting the
silver lining on the dark clouds that
inevitably rise 10 threaten the horizon
Of presidential candidates? II depends
altogether upon Mr. Raskoh. Gov.
Smith passed over such obviously avail
able material as Owen D, Young of
New York and Senator Peter Goelet
Gerry Of Rhode Island although hon.
cring the latter with a less important
post He scorned the advice OF well
intentioned friends upon the correct
strategy in regard 70 race. religion and
sectionalism. He went ahead and fol-
lowed the dictates of his own wisdom
and chose the man he wanted. He evil
IDENTIFY had grounds for the choice.
Mr.. Raskob's selection may be inter-
preted as bid for the support of big
business. But there are equally pronli-
nent representatives Of big business
who have identified themselves with
the other side. Mr.. Raskob is q pro-
ncunced vet. But his views on prohi-
bition as an industrial leader should
bear no more weight than the views
On prohibition Of another industrial
leader and giant In the automobile
world, Henry Ford, who seems to think
Just the opposite from what Mr. Raskob
thinks. There is nothing In Mr.. Ras-
kob's choice that appeals particularly
TO the farmers There is nothing In
the choice that appeals to the doubt
fully solid South. But the choice ap-
peals TO Gov. Smith, who wants a
trusted friend and an eficient man TO
manage his campaign. And that Is
that.
Other selections Of officers for the
national committee were made more
or less according TO Hoyle. Mfr Gerard
and Mr.. Greathouse we're reappointed
respectively. as treasurer and secretary
Former Gov Nellie TsyIoe Ross Of wy
onaing, Mrs Florence O. Farley OF Kan
Sas. Gov Harry r Byrd Of Virginia.
Scott Ferris Of Oklahoma and Mayor
Frank Haig Of Jersey City acre made
vice cfairmen. Col. Herbert r. Len
man. another New York fnancier. was
made chairman Of the finance com
nnittee
But, If one may be psrdoned the
query, what has become Of Jesse II
Jones. he magician who waved wand
and brought the recent national con-
yention To Houston?
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