The Washington times., 1929-06-11
SMITH
CHEERED At
DINNER
BY GEORGE r. HOLMES
By international News Services

By 1nternatiOhAs AeWS
The Heflin-Simmons Cannon
faction in the Democratic party,
which has been demanding
the official head Of Chairman
John j. Raskob and the elimi.
nation Of every vestige Of AL
Smith leadership, might as well
save their breath. For Raskob
is not going to resign, and IN
the natural course OF things
Governor Smith will remain
the titular leader Of the party
until the party chooses .
successor.
This was made crystal clear last
night to several hundred nation.
aIiv prominent Democrats az
harmony dinner" given at the Nay.
flower Hotel in honor OF Joueu
Shouse. the Kansan, VINO was
Gently chosen to organize ana con-
duct a militant national party nea0'
quarters in the Capital The dinner
brought together more DemocEaee -.
than have assembled anywhere Lor
party purposes since the great no"
vember debacle.
RasI1ob Given Ovation
Moreover, there was every APP
lpearance Of harmony-at least
among those present. Speaker fol.
lowed speaker with the battle cry
OF "get together" Raskob was
given an ovation when he spoke,
and the only indirect reference 70
sour leader in the last campaign
Governor Smith brought the diners
/ to their feet with volleys OF ap-
| plause.
Some Of the more bitter anti
Smith people, like Senator Helm
of Alabama and Senator Summons
of North Carolina were conspicuous
by their absence, but the South IN
general was well represented by
dozen Senator'S and many members
| OF the House. Senator Overman OF
North Carolina attended and spoke
| for unity.
tI am a Democrat" he said. "and
an unterrified one. L am for
unity, but unity with courage.
On Job To Finish
| Chairman Raskob made 1t en-
phatically clear that he has taken
on the job of reorganizing party
machinery and to stay with 1t until y
| is finished. He wants to apply to
political organization some Of the
principles Of the modern business
corporation.
ITO a man trained In business
as I have been" he said, the
democratic party's lack Of organi-
Ization for conducting a national
campaign IL truly appalling.
In contrast, he cited the Republic
an organization, which maintains
an alert national headquarters IN
Washington the year around, ana
keeps its fences mended in all parts
Of the country.
Shouse further. emphasized the
need of a national organization
that viii keep functioning. He
1 pointed out that in the past the
national committee has plunged
Into feyerish activity once every
four years, at campaign time, and
otherwise been a dormant instltu'
ton.
/ The burning question Of future
candidates. will be taboo around
national headquarters, Shouse said.
There is one thing" he said
with which headquarters will rs
fuse absolutely to have any COM
Germ. That is the question OF can.
didacies. It is our duty to try to
build up an effective fighting force
to turn over to those who viii Ole
rect the next campaign.
THE most unwise. the most de-
structive action that could be taken
would be to lend even to the slight
est degree any influence or help OF
announcement to the candidacy OF
any of the various men who may
aspire to the next presidential noIni-
nation. Mr.. Raskob feels exactly
as do
Will Push Fund Drive
Raskob reported that the $1,000
600 deficit at the close of the smith
campaign had been reduced by two"
thirds and that by the end OF the
month he hoped 1t would be cuE
to $3.50, 900.
His vision of a new Democrats
organization embraces intensive
work to cover every election dis
, trict in the country, of which there
are some 10000. He pointed out
. that if it were possible to get .
; contribution of only 81 from each
district the deficit would be wiped
out and the party assured OF work.
) ing funds to keep up militant ana
; aggressive headquarters.
It is to that work that he plans
to devote his own energies, leaving
Shouse to conduct the Washington