Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-06
DEMOCRATIC ACTION ON RASKOB
PLANS NOW ARE TO HANG FIRE

Smith Of New York had been drawn
into the discussion
He took the floor at the request of
Maury Hughes Of Dallas, Tex Gov.
Smith declared that Senator Robinson's
speech, criticizing Chairman Raskob,
would certainly give pleasure to the Re-
Smith Makes Address.
mo one said anything about the re-
peal of the eighteenth amendment" said
Gov Smith, except the men who don't
want It repealed. Chairman Raskob
didn't suggest that the eighteenth
amendment be repealed. If the chair
man of this committee is to be dragged
around because he expresses his opinion,
we'd better give up the idea of being
Democrats"
Gov. Smith said:
ST got a brand-new conception Of
democracy today. had very different
idea of Jefferson from what I have
heard here today. I didn't think that
any Democrat would be jumped on for
saying what he thought.
1T seems to me that our national
legislators" continued Gov. Smith, re-
ferring to Senator Robinson, Senator
Morrison and Senator reject Hull of Ten
nesSee, have been up all night for the
last three or four nights attending to
their legislative duties and must have
gotten the ideas they expressed here to-
day from the stories in Republican
press. All this talk about influencing
the Democratic National Convention is
just bunk. I said SO in Raleigh the
other day"
Mrs. Norton, Representative from
New Jersey, an ardent wet, replied
pointly to Senator Robinson's criticism
OF Chairman Raskob.
Drys Attacked by Norton.
who is it," said Mrs. Norton, "who
has injected trouble into the delibera-
tons of this committee except Senator
Robinson? Chairman Raskob intended
to proceed in a Democratic manner,
and to discuss policies properly. have
never been prouder to be a Democrat
or prouder Of our chairman than I
am today.
Senator Robinson asked If we will
get the woman vote by having the party
go wet"
Turning to Senator Robinson, Mrs.
Norton said:
1T say to you, Senator Robinson,
that the womanhood of America will
lead in the repeal of the eighteenth
amendment. We women know the i'm
morality and corruption which pro-
hibition has brought and We want to
protect our children
Loud applause interrupted Mrs.
Norton.
II remember" continued Mrs. Norton,
when Senator Robinson ran on the
ticket with the great Governor of New
York in 1923. We didn't hear any
speeches from Senator Robinson then,
such as we have heard from him today.
I would like TO ask him what has
changed him."
There were howls of approval from
the spectators and from some of the
committeeman.
Watt Brown Speaks.
Watt Brown, Democratic national
committeeman from Georgia, told the
committee that he had come to WASH
ington prepared to offer resolutions de-
nouncing any attempt to recommend
to the Democratic National Convention
that it place a wet plank in its plat
form next year. He said that he had
been assured by Chairman Raskob and
others that no effort would be made to
get action by the committee on any
policy at this meeting, so he would not
offer his resolution.
When Gov. Smith rose to speak there
was loud applause. With a twinkle in
his eye, he said:
This is the first National Committee
meeting 1 have ever had an opportu-
nifty to attend" The implication con-
:ained In the Governors opening remark
caused wave of laughter. He went on
TO say that he was profoundly grateful
for the loyal and vigorous support given
him by the Democratic leaders, Ma
tional, State and county, during the last
campaign.
Former Gov. Cox of Ohio said he was
not concerned over the controversy that
had arisen at the meeting, but that he
admired the sincerity of Chairman Ras-
kob who "holds well defined opinions
and felt the urge to express them"
Referring to. his proposal for State