Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-11
RASKOB CALL OPENS
DOOR TO DISPUTES
AMONG DEMOCRATS
Farley March 5 to Discuss
Finances May Embrace
Prohibition Issue.
QUALIFICATIONS OF 1882
LEADER ALSO TO BE TOPIC
Southern Opposition. to Chairman
Likely to Find Expression
at Conference Here.
By Q. GOULD LINCOLN.

Leaders of the Democratic party from
every part of the counsry are to meet
March in Washington Ito discuss
plans and policies to govern our activi-
ties during the next is months" accord
ing to a call for the Democratic Ma
tional Committee sent out by Chairman
John J. Raskob.
Apparently the door has been thrown
wide open for the consideration Of any
and all party matters or policies. This
includes the attitude which should be
taken regarding national prohibition. It
is obvious that the National Committee
cannot write the party platform for the
1892 campaign. That can only be done
by the party in national convention.
But the National Committee, composed
of men and women from all the States,
not to mention the Territories and the
District of Columbia, presents more
than cross section of the leadership
and indeed Of the rank and file Of the
party.
The problem of the Democrats. as
several of the party leaders in Washing
ton explained today, is to adjust what
differences may exist among them and
to prepare to take advantage of the sit
uation and the mistakes" Of the Re-
publican party. It is also to reach an
agreement On constructive program Of
their own, which can be placed before
the country.
Some Fear Meeting.
Some of the Democrats look with APP
prehension toward the meeting set for
March S. They fear that the differences
in the party over prohibition and over
the leadership Of Chairman Raskob may
be emphasized instead of minimized
But that is chance which they have to
take. It may be the better part of wis
dom TO have these differences aired this
year instead of waiting until next when
the national convention rolls round.
The call for the national committee
specifically states that there viii be
presented to the meeting the result
of q two-month survey by the John
Price Jones Corporation of New York
covering plan for soliciting funds to
pay Of the party deficit and carry on
the work Of the national COMMITTEES
during and between national cam
paigns.
The present financial situation of
the Democratic party was the cause
of flare-up recently. The position
was taken by some Of the Democrats
that the. party should not remain
longer indebted to so great an extent
% Chairman Raskob. The discussion
of the party finances followed the pub
article by Frank r. Kent, in which
he charged that Mr.. Raskob held
6rst mortgage on the party, because
Of his large contributions and because
Of his having assumed the RESPONSE
billy Of carrying the party debt.
Raskob Makes Reply.
Mr.. Raskob Indignantly denied that
ne had bought and paid for the Demo-
cratic party; insisted that he expected
TO have his large advances paid back.
The incident, however, caused stir in
the party ranks, with former Gov. Dan
Moody of Texas and other Southern
Democrats insisting that something
should be done TO relieve Mr.. RaSkob OF
the leadership Of the party. In meas
ure, the attack on RaSkob by the South
ern Democrats Is merely continuation
of their efforts 10 get rid Of national
chairman who Is out and out for repeal
of the eighteenth amendment and who
QdS never utdAS ally pOA1So SSOht VAC
matter.
Just what plan will be proposed to
the national committee for financing
party needs and expenditures has not
been disclosed. It may be expected,
however, to urge the adoption OF a
regular system of obtaining funds from
a general contribution of Democratic
voters, probably an annual contribution
which may be counted upon to finance
the party at all times. II such plan
could really be worked out and put
through, with the aid Of the local lead
ers in every community, it would OBJ
viate deficits which have followed ma
tional campaigns with great regularity,
and also make it less necessary TO fall
back on big contributions from indi-
yiduals.
The Democrats have been greatly
encouraged by the results Of the con-
gressional campaign last Fall, although
they fell Just short Of winning actual
control of either Senate or House. They
are anxious to pick a winner for the
next presidential campaign. When the
party leaders meet here March 5, there
is likely to be a general interchange
7TyonffT7iIed an page d Column 81