Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-28
Raising of Democratic Fund
Praised as Good Party Policy

Members Of both major political
parties have commented on the Sc
lection Of committee from the vari-
Gus States to raise the proposed
Democratic victory fund" of 81, $780,
900, as preliminary to undertaking
the 1882 national campaign, under the
advice OF John J. Raskob and with
John w. Davis as chairman of the
committee. The project is viewed by
those who comment upon 1t as good
party policy.
Merit in paying OF indebtedness.
and getting off to flying start next
year" is seen by the Roanoke Times.
which also states: THAT the time
does not seem propitious for the rails
ing OF So large a sum may readily be
conceded. But, as matter of fact,
the party has no choice but to un-
dertake the task" The Chattanooga
Times advises: 1T Is Of the greatest
importance to the Democratic party
next campaign adequately financed.
Defeat may easily be the price OF
continued Indebtedness and lack of
operating funds"
Without money" declares the
Lynchburg News, there can be no
effective organization, no effective
propaganda, no arousing of the in
different and no maSsing them at the
polls. Money there must be, however
strong the appeal however sane the
platform, however able and available
cause" The Lowell Evening Leader
offers the judgment: while there is
q strong incentive to attain the
financial goal set, the task under exc
isting conditions is not going to be an
easy one The Democratic national
chairman, to whom the the party Is
still indebted for funds used in the
last campaign, cannot fairly be
blamed for thinking that he has done
his full share and that 1t is time for
others to shoulder the task"
Taking a favorable view of the task,
the Charleston Is. CO. Evening Post
holds that 'the fact is that the Demo-
Gratis should not ind it hard to get
money for their next campaign" and
also remarks: Considering that $780,
600 of 1t win be needed to pay on the
party deficit and $500 900 TO keep the
political wheels turning until the next
convention the national Democratic
appeal for victory fund Of 81 500 900
is moderate. AS Chairman Raskob, who
has acted as the party angel for sew
erai years and Is at present the partys
creditor to the extent of $325. 900, truly
says, the collection of the fund u not,
or at least should not be, the respon-
Sibiliey Of any small group.
IF the fund Is raised, thinks the
Columbia IS. c. State, lit will be done
only with the contributions from many
who write their checks IN four and flve
figures" The State also argues: 1T Is
imperative that the party pay its debts.
II would be embarrassing FOR the party
to ask the country to put It in power
because it promises to solve economic
problems while the economies Of its own
affairs are in exceedingly bad condition.
Mr.. Raskob said. in connection with
the announcement OF the organtzattonS
purpose to raise this fund, that it would
be sought from the masses and not
from the rich That Is q very nice
theory, but there are difficulties IN put
ting 1t into practice"
These are important objectives,"
states the Baltimore Sun, but they are
by no means the only ends toward
which the party needs to work, nor
are they even the most important ends
to be considered at the present time.
Party policy is Of more consequence as
the 1882 campaign approaches than
party finance, and IL Is incumbent on
party leaders to give careful thought
to ifs determination. The National
Committee can do little in this field
OF endeavor. The committee can or
ganize party machinery and can adjust
party finances but the formulation OF
policy Is the prerogative of party lead
ers in Congress. Of the national con-
vention and OF the candidate chosen TO
head the ticket"
Some good, workable reasons why
the fund should be subscribed" are be-
Heyed by the Newark Evening News TO
be required as a preliminary TO the work
Of raising il. The Evening News con-
ttnues: TT may be asked: What Is the
Democratic program and In what way
Is It an Improvement on thu Repub-