The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-03-05
Chairman AvertS Storm by
Urging Delay in Action
on Policies.
ORYS READY FOR CLASH
CordeII Hull to Be Floor
Leader; Al Smith Will
Speak Today.
by RAYMOND CLAPPER
United Press STAFF Correspondent

Democratic national committee to-
day told party leaders gathered
here at the committee meeting that
he opposed forcing action on any
policies at this meeting.
Raskob made this declaration
after it it was announced that his
speech to the committee, in which
he is expected to reiterste his wet
views, would be made at an after
noon session.
He explained it was his intention
that his speech should be mailed
out to member of the committee for
their consideration and the proposals
advanced to be considered at an
other meeting of the committee
probably year hence.
He said members could study this
speech with the public reaction in
mind, so that they could deliberate
upon it at the next convention.
Drys Ready for Battle
Whether his proposal would be
acceptable TO dry Democrats still
was in question, but there were in
dications that it might be received
tremendously.
Representatives from dry states
had organized their forces to fight
any attempt TO bring the prohibit
ton issue into this meeting. They
selected Senator-Elect Cordel Hull
(Dem., TENN as their leader in the
event of a fight on the floor.
Raskob called the meeting TO or
der at 1926. Proceedings were de-
layed while photographers posed
him and Jouett Shouse. executive
chairman of the committee on the
platform. Former Governor Alfred
E. Smith of New York was not on
hand when the meeting began.
Bert New of Indiana was desig-
mated acting secretary in the abb
sence of Charles Greathouse, In
diana, secretary.
RaskOb Makes Speech
Raskob addressed the assembled
Democrats from a daiS at the end of
room almost a block long, and,
although a comparative newcomer
to politics, his manner was de-
termined and forceful.
After preliminary routine business,
Raskob read telegram from John
w. Davis, 1924 presidential candi-
date, who is in Florida and re-
gretted inability to be present to-
day.
Davis congratulated the party on
its energetic" leadership and urged
more frequent interim meetings of
the committee, such as this, scare
headlines to the contrary notwith-
standing" His telegram contained
the customary prediction of victory
at the next election.
Some laughter and much applause
greeted a resolution of Texas legis-
lature which asserted that political
waywardness now is forgotten" and
said Texas, which went Tor Hoover
in 1928, "once more is assuming the
place in the political sun to which
the Lone Star state justly is so en-
titled"
Cold Water on Young
Chairman Jouett ShouSe. without
mentioning names, struck at re-
ports that the party management
favored the candidacy of Owen D.
Young of New York when he arose
to speak.
1--WE are looking for counsel from
Democrats everywhere" ShouSe
declared. I'VE are not interested,
and have not been at any time, in
the question of individual candi-
dates
we are interested in building
victory for the party, but We shall
not be interested in advancing the
candidacy of any one"
Mrs. Nellie Tayloe Ross, former
Governor Of Wyoming and chair
man of the women'S division of the
committee, spoke, urging women to
cooperate in organizing for the
next campaign.
Alfred E. Smith, sitting I'M
obtrusively and almost unobserved
in the hallway outside the commit
Tee room, held impromptu court as
the committeeman and women
came out after adjournment.
Al Smith in Spotlight
They surrounded the former Cow
ernor and sought the opportunity
to shake his hand. He expects to
address the committee at its after
noon session, he said. Although
prepared for frank talk, the COM
mittee succeeded in excluding from
the morning proceedings entirely
any direct reference to prohibition
or to former Governor Smith. Mel
Their was the name of President
Hoover mentioned directly.
Senator Morrison (Dem., N. c., a
member of the national committee,
who on the senate floor recently
referred to Raskob as Governor
Smiths monumental blunder," ex-
pressed dissatisfaction today with
Raskob's announced intention to
present some general recommends
tons to the committee.
'Of all the absurd foolishness ever
perpetrated in America said Nor
rison, after the committee adjourned,
it's an exhibition of effrontery and
conceit without parallel"