Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-11
When Democrats Meet.

The Democratic high command has
! determined upon a meeting of the
party's National Committee on March 5,
Immediately after the close of the pres
ent session of Congress The call for
the meeting sent out by Chairman John
j. Raskob asserts, among other things,
that it is proposed "to discuss plans and
policies to govern our activities during
the next fifteen months" The fifteen
month period will carry up to, or per-
haps through, the next Democratic ma
tional convention. If the National Com
n1ittee finds it possible, indeed, to de-
termine upon the policies which shall
govern the party during this momentous
period, it will have accomplished lot.
The fear has been expressed, or If not
expressed. it has been felt, in many
quarters that the Democrats are in for
ga bad quarter of an hour" over the
prohibition issue; that the Southern
wing of the party may decline to see,
eye for eye with the Northern wing, the
proper course to be pursued and the
proper selection for the next presidential
nomination.
1t Is not expected that the Demo-
cratic National Committee will under
take officially to settle these vexing ques-
tons. But the meeting Of the party
leaders from all sections of the country
at this time will give opportunity for
a valuable exchange of opinion. The
very fact that the meeting is called for
discussion and that there is no action
contemplated lessons the danger of a
party split now.
Democratic leaders generally feel
that, owing to a number Of circum-
stances, the chances for Democratic VIC
tory in the national election in 1882 are
brighter than they have been for many
years. They are seeking to determine
the course which will most surely lead
to such a victory. With a few excep-
tons, perhaps, they are willing to meet
in spirit of compromise, looking to
victory in the end.
On the other hand, 1t has become ap-
parent that the Democratic party must
strike out with a definite program to
present to the country in the next cam
paign. Mere opposition to the Re-
publican party may not be enough,
especially if business conditions in this
country improve during the next twelve
months. In the last national election
the Republicans cast about six million
more votes than the Democrats. That
leaves the Democrats still something to
think about. In the congressional cleo
lions last Fall. although the Democrats
elected almost as many members of the
House as did the Republicans, failing
merely by couple Of districts to ac-
compllsh that end, still there were cast
for the Republican candidates for the
House total vote much in excess Of
the total Democratic vote.
If the meeting of the Democratic
National Committee can lay the ground
work for a better understanding of the
party's problems in the next national
campaign; If it can bring the leaders
Of the various sections Of the coun-
try to a point where they are willing
to run along together, 1t may go far
toward bringing about a harmonious
meeting of the Democracy in It's next
national convention.
One purpose of the meeting will be
to pass upon plan for refinancing and
paying of the deficit of the party COM
ing over from the, last national cam
paign. There have been charges that
small group of men, with Raskob at
their head, now hold mortgage on
the party because of their large adj
vanceS of money. The statement has
been made that no man or small group
of men should "own" the Democratic
party. These charges have aroused
considerable attention. The Democrat
ic national organization viii have
chance to decide whether it viii I'M
dertake a Embarrassing campaign at
this time to wipe out the mortgage"