Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-04
WET STAND IS NOT
LINKED WITH PARTY
WORK,SAYS RASKOB
Democratic Chairman Smiles
as Senators Tilt at Lobby
Investigation.
ROBINSON ASKS LEADER
IF HE PLANS TO RESIGN
Witness Testifes He Gave $64, 900
to Association in Five
Year Period.
BY the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
Smiling calmly while Senate lobby
committee members engaged in heated
quarrels among themselves, John j
Raskob today denied that his activi-
ties as a director of the Association
Against the Prohibition Amendment
were mixed with his work as chairman
of the Democratic national committee
Raskob testified that he had con-
tributed $4,000 to the association over
a period of Ave years, but added that
he was careful not to mix his personal
beliefs on prohibition in the affairs OF
the Democratic national committee
He asserted that mo one can commit
the Democratic party on the liquor
question except the national conven-
ton"
Mcbride at Hearing.
The committee room was packed as
Raskob began his testimony, with three
members of the committee, Robinson OF
Indiana, Republican, and Chairman
Caraway of Arkansas and Walsh OF
Montana. Democrats, present. F. Scott
Mcbride, superintendent of the Anti
Saloon League, was standing in the
back of the room as first Walsh and
then Robinson questioned the Demo-
cratic leader.
From the beginning the Demo-
Gratis and Republicans tilted over
questions that Robinson put to Raskob.
and finally all three joined in warm
exchanges after the Indiana Senator
asked Raskob if he intended to resign
the Democratic Craftsmanship in re-
sponse to suggestion made by
Josephus Daniels in his North Carolina
newspaper.
The question went unanswered after
CaraWay and Walsh vehemently pro-
tested that it was irrelevant.
Robinson insisted the same question
had been asked Claudius Huston, chair
man of the Republican national COM
mittee, before the lobby committee.
Disputing this, Senator Walsh shouted:
at makes no difference; we are not
going to transform this hearing into a
show"
Daniels, Navy Secretary in the Wilson
cabinet. had attacked RaSkob for his
membership in the Association Against
the Prohibition Amendment while hold
ing the post of Democratic chairman.
The clashes between the committee
members continued throughout the
hearing. At one point Caraway said to
the spectators:
Don't laugh, this is Senator Robin
sons show
Raskob said he took no part in the
work of the association other than to
look over its reports occasionally as a
director. He testified that its activities
were centered in the election OF wet
members of Congress rather than in the
persuasion of those in Congress"
After the hearing Chairman Caraway
announced that William H. Stayton of
Washington, chairman of the board Of
directors of the Association Against the
Prohibition Amendment, would be called
by the committee for questioning.
Answers Bring Laughter.
The crowded committee room fire.
quently resounded with laughter as
Raskob, always smiling, shot back yes"
or mo- answers to Senator Robinson.
After the committee session, news
paper men asked RaSkob if he had any
objection to answering the Robinson
question. He replied that he had none.
He asserted he had no intention of re-
signing.
Asked by Caraway if he had hopes
of repeal of the eighteenth amendment
Raskob replied he had some hopes "of
modification at least"
Raskob testified that the Association
Against the Prohibition Amendment
was a bipartisan organization and
named as members w. w. Atterbury,
Republican national committeeman for
Pennsylvania. and Charles H. Sabin,
husband of the former Republican ma
&ional committeeWoman for New York
Opening Testimony.
Chairman Caraway asked the perfume
tory opening questions, inquiring as to
Raskob's occupation.
The witness replied, Executive"
"Of what?" chairman Caraway con-
tinued.
Raskob said of the Dupont Co.
Caraway asked his relation to the
association against prohibition.
IT don't know the full name of il"
the Arkansas Senator added.
Raskob said he was director of the
association and had b ! for five years
Its purpose is to attempt by educa-
ton to convince the people of the
United States that the eighteenth
amendment ought to be repealed"
Raskob asserted.
Have you much hope?" asked
Caraway.
Raskob laughed before he answered
eyes, think I have a great deal OF
CONTINUED on Page 3. Column 81