Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-28
DRY REFERENDUM
URGED BY RASKOB
Prohibition Vote One of Six
Points Advanced by Demo-
cratic Chairman.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press
NEW YORK, october 28-Just a
week before election, the chairman of
the Democratic National Committee last
night suggested q national referendum
on prohibition be made one of his
party's detectives If it obtains power.
John j. RaSkob advanced the proposal
as one of six points in the course of a
campaign address carried by radio all
over the country.
Taking first place in his program
was the flve-day week wor workingmen
His other suggestions included de-
termination by the Federal Trade Com
mission of the legality of proposed busi-
ness combinations in advance of their
formation; abolition of the capital gains
and loss tax; appointment of Tariff
Commission members for life to take
tariff making out of politics, and en-
ployment of caution by Congress to have
all its legislation square with good eco
Monies"
Called "Sorry Plight"
cts there any dry so stubborn" asked
Raskob, that he would insist on the
country being dry if the people by
referendum abolished the eighteenth
amendment? Or Is there any wet so
bigoted that he would refuse to abide
by the decision If referendum showed
the country to be dry?"
The Democratic chairman, who also
is a director of the Association Against
the Prohibition Amendment. said It was
sorry plight indeed" to see ministers
and other good citizens "unconsciously
working hand in hand with bootleggers
and racketeerS in an effort to deny
the people Of the United States an OPP
portunity to vote on this great social
experiment after 10-year trial"
Together with the five-day week pro-
posal, Raskob suggested the celebration
Of legal holidays on Monday to give
three continuous recreation days. The
shorter week, he maintained, would re-
suit "in sufficient savings to enable
industry to pay the same wages for
fve days as are now paid for five and
one-half days work."
For Five-Day Week.
The increased leisure of workers and
their families, he said, would increase
their expenditures and thus the output
OF the industries. He suggested as a
first step that the Democratic party
work for adoption of the five-day week
by the Government and the States for
their own employees. Legislation to de-
clare every Saturday a holiday, to per-
init all banks to close II they wished
also was suggested
Raskob took occasion also to deny a
Republican charge that he had main
tanned Democratic publicity bureau
in Washington to smear Hoover" He
termed the accusation a Childish at
tempt" indicating the "irresponsibility
of panic minds"
mo one ever heard me utter one I'M
kind word about Mr.. Hoover or the
President of the United States" he said.
This does not mean that I or the
Democratic party hesitate one second
in offering a constructive criticism of
the actions of Mr. Hoover and his ad-
ministration"
Business Turning Upward.
In concluding the address Raskob as
serted no country In the world was
ever in as splendid position to go for
ward to q period Of prosperity as the
United States today.
Everything has been thoroughly de-
fated and business is now turning up
ward" he said. I'VE will quickly leave
depression behind and all be singing
fTIapnv naVs Are Hare Again