Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-17
BY the Associated Press.

Wants AIl-Year Headquarters.
| For this purpose, he emphasized the
need for year-aruond headquarters Tor
the Democratic national committee,
where Democrats throughout thu Ma
| ton may keep in touch with members
! of Congress and the affairs OF the
nation
"A political party that polls nearly
sixteen billion votes should be a ire
mendous factor in the politics of the
country and the strength and force OF
that great body should not be lost by
j failure to maintain an organization
which should enable them to make
themselves heard and felt in the af-
fairs Of our nation" he said.
| MFR. Smith omitted any reference to
his own political future. The subject OF
his speech was kept secret until he be-
gan to speak over WEAF and 80 allied
stations of the National Broadcasting
Co. chain.
Seconds Roosevelt Plea.
In making his appeal for funds. the
former governor seconded recent as
Sertions Of Gov. Franklin D. Roosevelt
that the Democratic party needed more
consistent national publicity between
campaigns.
Immediately following every national
election" he said, there Is always ap-
parent a general lack of interest in the
welfare of our party. It has been the
habit of the Democratic party to func-
ton only six months in every four
years. This Is demonstrated by the fact
that no attempt was made to liquidate
the deficit left from the national cam
paign of 1924 until the Spring of 1928.
When the Democratic party finds itself
facing a national convention, 1t begins
to shop around the country for the
place likely to put up the most money
toward the liquidation Of the deficit.
More than that, it has been the
custom to have the party deficit taken
care Of by comparatively small group
of people, and usually the small group
has an interest in some particular
candidate. This hold to be an UNI
wholesome condition for any political
party. It tends to place too much power
exactly where it should not be--in the
hands of the few"
Asserting that he personally would
regret the necessity Of asking any small
group Of people to meet such deficit,
the former governor observed that
there must be a great many people
| who can afford to send the national
committee $100--a great many who
could afford S50-a great many more
$40, or even S."
Urges Militant Democracy.
He urged that the Democratic party
be a progressive, militant party, and
pointed out the need of a minority
party under a system of government
such as that of the United States.
The dark chapters of American
history from 1921 to 1924 are an indi-
cation Of what can take place In the
government Of our country In the alb
sence of an active minority party" he
said. Were it not for the vigilance OF
/ the Democrats and ProgresSiveS in Con
gress, the whole shameful story of the
oil leases might never have been told >
| Mr. Smith told his radio audience
| that there was need at all times fol-
real facts concerning public happen.
ings."
ITO produce and to publish material
and information costs money" he con.
tinued. There are two sides to many
public questions and there are facts
which ought to be brought fairly and
honestly before the American people ir
the next four years.
| "As a matter Of fact, we have hac
Immediately following the election Q
number OF misleading editorials printed
In the Republican press concerning the
crushing defeat administered to the
Democratic party. While 1t is true thai
Mr.. Hoover an overwhelming victory
| judging from the standpoint of The
popular vote, the Democratic party
made the best showing In the campaign
OF 1928 that 1t has been able to make
| since the second election of President
Wilson.
Popular Vote Strength Cited.
"The Democratic party, by its progress.
sive platform and Its vigorous campaign
did more than Its share to arouse In.
terest In national affairs, as Is evincec
by the fact that 1900 900 more people
voted in 1928 than In 1920 and 10000.
900 more than In 1924. Notwithstand-
ing the overwhelming Republican ma.
jority in the electoral college, the
Democratic party reduced the Repub.
lican majority in the popular vote by
over 100000 votes in 1928, as com.
pared with 1924"
In 1923 a switch OF 88 per cent oil
the total vote would have given victory
to the Democratic ticket, the former
governor said. whereas In 1924 it woulc
have required a switch Of more than
1872 and In 1920 more than 1877 pei
cent.
"A change of only 100000 votes out
of the total of 36,500,00O votes cast
| properly scattered throughout the
States" he asserted would have al
tered the whole complexion of the cleo
toral college and would have given the
Democratic party 269 electoral votes
which would have meant victory instead
| of defeat"