Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-01
$75O,0)O DEBT CUT
ST|RS DEMOCRATS
Party Headquarters viii Be
Set Up Here, With Jouett
Shouse in Charge.
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.

Democratic leaders here today are
hailing with enthusiasm the announce
ment of Chairman John j. Raskob Of
the partys national committee that the
deficit coming over from the national
campaign has been cut in two. 1t was
more than million and half dollars.
They like. too. his plan for an active
party organization, with headquarters
here, working 365 days in the year.
The Democratic chairman came to
Washington yesterday and in few
short hours breathed new life and hope
into the Democrats, who have been
down in the depths since the election
last November Mr.. Raskob announced:
That the Democratic deficit of the
national organization, amounting to
more than S1,550,000 at the close of the
national campaign last year, had al
ready been reduced to 100000, and that
within the next two weeks 1t probably
would be reduced further to point be-
low $500,000.
Center of Activity Here.
That the center Of activity of the
Democratic organization was to be
shifted from New York City to WASH
ington, where 1t proposed to build up
virile businesslike organization, func-
tioning the year round, in preparation
for future campaigns.
That Jouett Shouse of Kansas City,
former member of the House and for
mer Assistant Secretary Of the Treas
ury. will have charge of the Wasnlng-
ton headquarters, as chairman OF the
national executive committee oil the
party, post which Mr.. Raskoo mas
hitherto held.
no present intention of resigning as
chairman of the national committee, in
reply to questions put him. He inul-
Gated that he intended to remain on
the lob and do everything in his power
to build up the national organization.
There was no talk of preSidentlal
candidates of the future. Mr.. Raskoo
said. however, that the Democratic or
parization here would seek through re-
search to aid in every way in the for
nation of policies of the party. There
would be the closest kind Of teamwork,
Mr.. Raskob said, between the head
quarters here and the Democratic MEM
bers of the Senate and House.
~Shouse From Middle West.
Mr.. Shouse is from the Middle West.
He supported actively the candidacy OF
william G. McAdoo for the Democratic
presidential nomination in 1924. In
The recent campaign he worked in
defatigably for the election OF Alfred
E. Smith, and served AS member OF
the Democratic advisory committee IN
New York. He has been picked partic-
ularlv for his ability and his thorough
knowledge of the psrty's affairs to take
charge now of the Washington head
quarters.
while it is planned to have Mr.
Shouse in full charge OF the head
quarters maintained here. Mr.. Raskob
made it clear that he was not reiin-
gushing his interest in the develop
ment of a strong, active party organ
ization. He said that monthly meet
ings of the executive committee would
be held at the headquarters here, which
both he himself and former Senator
Gerry of Rhode Island, chairman OF
the advisory committee, would attend.
Mr.. Shouse's selection to head Demo
cratic activities in the National Capital
is regarded as compromise between
the two old warning factions in the
party. one of which has been insistent
! that Mr.. Raskob be ousted from chair
manship of the national committee.
Enthusiastic Over Debt Cut.
I The reduction of the Democratic debt
/ by S75o,000 in less than six months vas
/ received here by Democratic leaders
with much enthusiasm, as well as Mr..
/ Raskobs promise to reduce the debt to
S500,000 within a short time and to
wipe out the whole debt before the year
is out. It took the Democrats four
years to pay off the deficit of about
$500 600 which remained after the 1924
campaign Senator David !. Walsh OF
Massachusetts,, one of those with whom
! Mr., Raskob conferred. said:
Il think the financial showing made
in reducing the debt of the committee
is remarkable. The plan of a perma-
nent organization in Washington is an
excellent idea.
Mr.. Raskob said that the debt had
been reduced by solicitation Of con-
tributions for about s25o.00C
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