The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-06-21
RASKOB HOLDS
PROHIBITION IS
BIGGEST ISSUE
'What Greater Economic
Problem Is There?' He
Asks on Chicago Arrival.
INTEREST IS ON B0RAH
ChieftainS Of Democrats
Anxious Over Result of
G. 0. P .nry Revolt
BY RAYMOND CLAPPER
United Press stan Correspondent

CHICAGO, June 21.-Chairman
John j. Raskob of the Democratic
national committee arrived here to-
day to urge nomination "of a strong
man" by the Democrats, and to de-
clare the Democratic party's chances
for victory the best since the Civil
war.
The diminutive millionaire, a close
friend and sponsor of Alfred E.
Smith, Immediately began a series
of conferences concerning the out
look of the stop Roosevelt move
ment.
While Raskob has contended he
is neutral, he is classed by the
Roosevelt forces as an enemy.
Meantime, James A. Farley,
Roosevelt manager declared oppo-
nents of his candidate we're anxious
to retain the two-thirds rule, and
were preparing to resort to every
legitimate device to beat him.
Fight Two-Thirds Rule
Raskob entered Immediately into
the political controversies Seething
here on the eve of the convention
by declaring he did not believe the
two-thirds rule for nominating
Democratic candidates should be
abrogated at this convention.
The Roosevelt forces have con-
templated such a step, assured of a
majority of the convention, but no
final decision has been Eeached on
this controyerted point.
Raskob, author of the famous
"home option" prohibition plan, said
the convention itself would write
the partys prohibition declaration
and it would not be dictated by al Z
''inside group"
The "home rule" plank calls for
repeal of the eighteenth amend
ment by those states Which desire
a return of liquor, with the wet"
safes authorized to handle pro-
hibition issue as they see fit. 1t
likewise guarantees protection to
states which prefer to retain pro-
hibition.
This plan, which Raskob sprang
upon a national committee meet
ing in Washington more than a
year ago to stir up immediate re-
sentiment from drys gathered there,
formed the idea upon which Re-
publicans drafted the plank they
adopted recently, and which Sena-
tor William E. Borah of Idaho dis
claimed in a dramatic speech Mon
day before the senate.
Test of Strength Planned
Asked whether economic issues
would not be more prominent at
this convention than prohibition,
Raskob replied:
What greater economic question
Is there?"
Raskob also lined up solidly be-
hind Jouett Shouse, chairman of
the national executive committee
an dfriend of Al Smith, for the post
of permanent chairman.
Roosevelt forces recently an
nounced Senator Thames j. Walsh
of Montana would be their candi-
rate, and are planning to go into
the convention and make a test of
strength on this point.
Senator Borah's spectacular decla-
ration in Washington of his refusal
to support President Hoover on the
Republican prohibition submission
platform opened a wide path of dis
cusSion here.
Hold Drys Are Regular"
The big question in Chicago was
whether Borah actively would OPP
pose President Hoover, attempt to
head a third party movement, or
merely sit silently through the
campaign.
Organized drys indicated privately
today that they we're inclined to
await developments, if any, before
following Senator Borah.
There was doubt in the minds Of
some organized dry leaders whether
Borah would gain a large following
from heri banks should he attempt
a third party adventure.
Farley in his statement today said
the Roosevelt group would support
Senator Cordell Eull of Tennessee
for chairman Of the resolutions