Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-14
DEMOCRATS OPEN
DRIVE FOR FUNDS
$r,500,000 "victory Fund"
Would Pay Deficit and Leave
1882 Nest Egg.
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.

The Democratic drive to raise a
$1,500,Ooo victory fund" for the pay
ment of the deficit Of the National
Committee and to give the party run
ming start for the campaign next year
was off to a flying start today.
The Victory Fund Committee"
headed by John w. Davis, the Demo-
cratic presidential candidate in 1924.
and composed of more than 500 prom
inent party members in all parts OF
the country. has begun its canvass.
Jouett Shouse, chairman OF the
Executive Committee OF the Democratic
National Committee, who announced
the opening of the drive and the or
ganization of the fund committee, said
that 100000 would be needed to wipe
off the deficit holding over from the
1928 national campaign, $500, 900 would
be needed to keep the national organi-
cation functioning adequately until the
party nominating convention is held
next Summer, ard S500,0 900 would be
the nest egg for the start Of the actual
campaign
G. o. p. Reserves Comment.
The Republican national headquar-
tiers reserved comment today on the
Democratic drive for funds. 1t was
pointed out, however, that the G. 0. r.
has not been entirely asleep at the
switch, The new 80 Clubs, designed
tc arouse interest in the reelection OF
President Hoover, although not spon-
sored by the Republican National Com
mittee, already have been launched Tor
the purpose of lining up Hoover sup
porters and for bringing constant
stream of dollars into the Republican
national treasury.
The 80 Club idea originated In the
minds of several Hoover supporters, In
operation, the plan is a kind OF endless
chain. A supporter of President Hoover
for reelection undertakes to obtain the
signatures of 80 other adherents OF the
Republican party and to collect from
each ST.. If possible, each one OF tne
original 80 members Of the club starts
a 80 Club of his or her own, ana SO
on down the line.
The plan was put into erect nrSV III
California. where the members nave
run into the thousands already. AND
RECENTLY appeals have been sent to
some 5000 good Republicans" in all
parts of the country urging them to
get busy with 80 clubs. The drive Tor
these club memberships and funds was
started under the leadership OF David
Hinshaw of Westtown, Pa. Mr.. HmShaW
travelled to California to get the plan
Under way there Some time ago, 1t
was said TODAY. Treasurer Mutt of the
Republican National Committee had
received $4,000 from California, and
the dollars are coming in units OF 81
rapidly.
Republicans Have Surplus.
The Republicans wound up their last
national campaign with slzable sur
fore to raise funds to wipe out an OLD
deficit. But they are compelled to col
Iect funds to keep the wheels OF ma
ttonal organization turning and to pre-
pare for the coming campaign, just
as the Democrats are seeking TO pre-
pare. ,..., ,,,,,,,c,sa.
in these days of depression IS no easy
loo, according to reports. And 1t looks
as though both the national orgdnlIao
items Of the old parties are being more
forehanded than usual, in preparation
for the conflict next year.
The Democrats have as the executive
head Of their Victory Fund campaign
John H. Fahey of Boston. former
president of the United States Chamber
of Commerce. Included in the tund
committee as eX-officio members are
all the members of the Democratic
men. The treasurer of the fund Is
James w. Gerard of New York, the
treasurer of the Democratic National
Committee.
Raskob Initiates Plan.
John j. .Raskob, chairman Of the
Democratic National Committee, TO
whom the committee owes about $325,-
600 for funds advanced by him to
finance the national organization, in
itiated the plan for raising funds many
months ago and had a survey made by
a New York concern. He discussed the
matter at the time of the meeting OF
the Democratic National Committee
here last March.
When Mr. Shouse made the formal
announcement that the Victory Fund
Committee had been named he made
public statements by Mr. Raskob and
Mr.. Davis, the chairman OF the Fund
Committee. Mr.. Davis characterized
the victory fund movement as being
"the first time that the Democratic party
ever has undertaken to prepare ade-
quately in advance CT presidential
election" Mr.. Raskob hailed the rep
resentative character of the Fund Com
mittee membership, declaring 1t to be
indicative Of the widespread interest in
the party's success in 1882 and of the
partyS determination to make possible
the continuation and extension of the
advance organization WORK already done,
essential if victory is to be assured"
Leaders Back Drive.
The preparedness drive is being sup
ported by outstanding party leaders,
Democratic members OF the Senate and
House, Democratic governors and emf
nent Democrats generally, including
Newton D. Baker, former Gcv. Harry F.
Byrd former Gov. James M. Cox for
mer Senator James A. Reed. Gov. Albert
c. Ritchie, Gov Franklin D. Roosevelt,
former Gov. Alfred E. Smith, Melvin
A. Taylor, Owen D. Young. Joseph T.
Robinson, Democratic leader of the
Senate. and John N. Garner, Demo-
cratic leader of the House.
The members of the Victory Fund
Committee in the District of Columbia
are T. T. Ansberry. John F. Costello,
Charles w. Darr, Mrs. j. Borden Har-
riman. Breckenridge Long. DR.. Sterling
Rufin, Daniel j. Callahan, ]. Harry
Covington, Joseph E. Davies. Wilton j.
Lambert. Arthur O'Brien and Joseph
P. Tumulty.
PROGRAM is APPROVED.