The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-01-14


 RaskOb's Letter to Kent
 Following is a copy of chairman Haskob's letter:
 .,, January 12, 1881.
 The Baltimore. Sun,
 Baltimore, Md.
 Dear Sir:
 My attention has been called to an article written by you, published January 6. It is difficult to under- stand why a man of your standing should join that small group of writers whose articles generally have little regard for the truth. and are written in sensational style for consumption by gullible public. Ordinarily real men refuse to dig nifty articles and writers of this type with the slightest recognition, but when you liken the democratic party to a common harlot that can be bought and sold. used and abused at will. you tramp on the toes of millions of democrats who are proud of their heritage, glory in the tra- ditions of their party and resent your insults.
 You charge that. have taken over all the liabilities of the demo- cratic party. assumed all it's debts: that I am the only indorser on it's notes: that I put Mir Shouse in charge and am paying ell operat- ing expenses, including several large salaries, and have made great reduction in the party debt in short. that I have bought and paid for the party.
 "None of these statements Is true. am one of a group of men indors- ing the only committee note out standing. I have assumed none of the liabilities and none of the debts of the committee. MT Shouse was unknown to me previous to the 1928 campaign and was selected as chair man of the executive committee of the democratic national committee by the members of that committee after long and careful consideration of several important names and aft CT consulting with other strong party leaders. He is in complete charge of and responsible for work assigned to him. has selected and employed every one of his own staff dncluding MT Hunt. whom you des- ignate as his brother-in-law. but Who in fact Is not related to him in any way). without recommendation from me; has never been interfered with by me. but has shaped his policies and conducted his work most successfully through working in close communion and harmony with the members of the democrat ic national committee and partic- ularly with democratic senators and representatives who are easily ac- cessihle in Washington.
 "The million dollar reduction :r the party debt was made not by me but by close friends and associates of Governor Smith. who felt great responsibility for a large part of our deficit and met 1t. am loaning money to the national committee which will be repaid. As a result of the party's defeat in 1928 and the severe financial depression of the last fifteen months it has been difii- cult to raise money to carry on our work.
 My faith and confidence in t',e fundamental liberal principles of the democratic party gave me a great sense of security in the party's vir- ility and the repayment of neces- sary loans. The recent 1890 elec- tions fully justify my. faith and the party is now bigger. stronger md better organized than ever. Plans are under way for a nationwide fund-raising campaign to meet our debts and provide money to con-
 
 orga nization is now doing. Your article infers that was a republican and states that I voted for Coolidge. Harding and Hughes and became democrat solely be- cause of the Smith candidacy None of the above is true. although 1t has been used by the republicans as po- litical propaganda in every mali cious way possible and in spite of my denials. fj From Family of Democrats "The facts are that my grand father, father and whole family were democrats. and I lived with them until twenty-seven years Of age, when l married into a family that have been democrats always. having settled in Maryland in 1884 and lived there ever since. l dis approved of the party's attitude on silver in 1896 and. in consequence. although generally voting. the demo- cratic ticket, have always been an independent in politics until I af- filiated with the democratic party.
 "I have never affiliated with the