Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-15
Party's Fight Over Raskob
Wakes Wet and Dry Conflict

Aside from plainly stated opposition
to Chairman John J. Raskob Of the
Democratic national committee on the
part Of those who disapproved of his
selection for leadership in the last cam
paign. the fight within the party has
brought few suggestions as to the future.
In reply to charges that his contribu-
tons to the anti-prohibition organiza-
ton would aid in electing some Repub-
licans, it is charged that his enemies,
through support of the Anti-Saloon
League, have been aiding still other
Republicans.
Those who thought he was not the
proper man to be chairman Of the
Democratic national committee because
OF his wet views" says the Lynchburg
News (Democratic), think so now that
he has appeared before the Senate COM
mittee investigating lobbying. Those
who thought he should remain, either
because Of his wet views or because of
the attempted dictation Of the party by
those who have been seeking his scalp,
think so now. The argument for and
against Raskob Is unchanged"
= X X
The issue appears to the Kansas City
Star independently as one which, nov
that the party's committee chairman
has been revealed as heavy contribu-
tor to the wet cause, is certain to give
increased trouble in dry territory" The
Star, however, adds: I'm name, it
would be settled through such q simple
expedient as the voluntary or involun-
tary removal of the national chairman.
But there would remain the deeper
question as to how the militantly wet
and militantly dry elements Of a party
could be reconciled. That probably will
keep the organization leaders busy up
to and including the next national cam
paign."
Contributions for wet propaganda
purposes are held by the Charleston
Daily Mail independent Republican, as
Of such nature that there Is no harm
in them. The Mail adds: More than
that, there is no harm In contributing
money for the opposite purpose. The
harm would be in the way the money
was used, not in the fact that 1t was
used: Propaganda, pro and con, Is
legitimate and an essential part Of lib
erty and free speech" The Manchester
Union independent Republican, con-
cludes that "as the critics Of Mr.. Raskob
betray no signs of desire to lessen their
attacks upon him, the prospects are
highly unfavorable for an early arrival
Of period Of harmony"
X X y
at sometimes happens" suggests the
Richmond News-Leader (independent
Democratic), that what man does in
his private capacity limits his useful-
ness in business or destroys It" alto
gether. Doubtless that very point will
be urged before the Democratic national
committee. When it is, two things will
happen-first. the growing wet senti-
ment of the United States will make
many Democratic leaders more deter
mined than ever to retain Raskob as
chairman Of the national committee,
and, secondly, both those who support
Raskob and those who think he should
retire as chairman will be very slow to
submit to the dictation Of Anti-Saloon
League leaders. The reason above all
that makes Democratic hesitate to ask
for RaSkob's resignation IL that the
enemies of the Democratic party are so
anxious to have him put out"
In opposition to this stand IL that Of
the Raleigh News and Observer Demo
cratic), which declares: The business
of q national chairman is to stand on
the platform Of his party, to use all
diligence to elect candidates Of his
party. When he contributes money toI
elect wet Congressman who are Re
publicans he thereby shows that he
ought to resign Is national chairman
and let some man be chosen who neither
gives aid nor comfort nor money to help
elect any Republican to Congress"