The Washington times., 1931-04-20
S9OO,OOO,OOO
|NREVENUE
FORECAST
Democratic Chairman Is Con-
fident of Victory If Party
"MeetS Issues Honestly"

convention will commit the
party to giving the people them
selves an opportunity of voting
on the prohibition question and,
in addition, will reduce to the
simplest English its tariff poll
cies-which I know to be con.
Structive pOlicieS-I am conf
dent the party will sweep the
north and east, carry the south
sOIidly, and make tremendous
gains in western States which
usually find themselves in the
Republican column at national
elections"
Silent About CANDIDATES
Amplifying the assertion that
"we expect to win in 1882" Ras-
kob pointed out that the Demo
cratic party has done a lot Of
building since the 1928 race. He
refused, however, to discuss pros
pective presidential candidates.
declaring:
"My job is to build up an
organization that will elect the
men the convention selects, not
to dictate the selection"
Into Raskob'S voice came
ring of conviction when he as
serted that the prohibition ques-
tion will have to be met" He
thinks the people are entitled to
know the position the Democratic
party will take on that great
American issue.
He pointed out that racketeer-
ing has become a tremendous
and menacing business" in this
country, affecting the lives of
every citizen. He said that if the
Government could collect the
revenue on liquor sold illicitly
today it would be sufficient to
relieve all citizens from payment
Of Federal income taxes.
Prohibition Hits Farmer
Even the American farmer is
hurt by the situation that has
developed under prohibition, the
Democratic national chairman de-
clared. And he illustrated his
point in this manner:
81 understand that $40, O,OOO, 900
acres are under cultivation in
the United States. 1t requires
35O,OOO,OOO acres to supply our
needs. This leaves a surplus of
100000 acres, the product of
which causes a glut in our mar.
ketS and destroys farm prices.
The acreage required to raise
grain, hops, ETC., necessary to
the production of beers and
liquors in this country is in
excess of 100000 acres.
eff the farmers had an Op-
pOrtunity Of raising these crops
to be used in legitimate trade
instead of forcing our people to
buy bootleg liquor made in for
eign countries, our surplus of
crops would disappear and
bring the demand in line with
supply. This would enhance
the value of crops and help
solve the problem now confront
ing the farmer.
"ThiS is a matter worthy of
the serious study of the farmer
as well as the business interest
Of the country"
Billions For RacketeerS
Raskob es t m a e d that the
American people pay annually
$4,000 900, 900 to $4,000, 900 900 for
liquor. He said the actual value
of the liquor is only 10 per cent
of this amount and that, conse-
quently, the remaining $2,700, ,000,-
600 at a low minimum is used
for racketeering purposes-the
"greaSing" of the palms of pub
lie officials and the corrupting
of police departments, ct cetera.
In contrast to Americas $3,O00,-
100000 booze bill, he spoke of
the like sum that is spent an.
nually on automobiles. In the
case of automobiles legitimate
industry-the people get 100
cents on the dollar" and the
money goes into a business that
results in general benefit to all
The prosperity issue" will, of
course, play an important part
in the next campaign, he said
Even If business has materially
improved and times are much
better in November next year
the Democrats will win, he be
lieves because:
"The people are up in arms
over social conditions which are
causing the people, young and
old, to lose all respect for our
institutions, and even for our
laws.
Il feel that if the Demo.
cratic party will take the lead
In adopting a platform that
will make clear to the people
of the United States the
methods it proposes in solving
our many ills we are bound to
win"
Says Issue Must Be Met
"The prohibition issue will
have to be met. In the North
and East and in a good part of
the West we have got to deal
with prohibition whether we
regard this questions as eco
nOmic, political or social. 1t is
a question in which our people
are showing a lively interest.
81 think the people are en-,
titled to know the position the
Democratic party is going to
take on prohibition. My recon.