The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-05-18
CAMP AIGN FUND
POSES PROBLEM
FOR DEMOCRATS
Wealthy Party Members
Offer Cold Shoulder,
Nothing Else.

By Scripbs-HoDard Newspaper Alliance
WASHINGTON, May 10. - Big
business opposition to President
Roosevelt is reflected in the cold,
well-tsilored shoulder turned to
campaign fund collectors by many
OF the old-fashioned Democrats
who haunt Park-sy, Wall Street and
Palm Beach.
In other words, one-time Demo-
cratic angels who Clipped in so
generously. for instance, for the
1928 Alfred E. Smith campaign, are
not making any noble gestures
toward their pocketbooks to help re-
elect Franklin d. Roosevelt
They have other charities this
year, which include, for some, the
Republican National Committee, the
American Liberty League, the South
ern Committee to Uphold the Con-
stitution. and so forth.
This does not mean, of course,
that the Democratic war chest will
not receive some donations from
men of wealth. Franklin Roosevelt
still has personal friends among
them who will contribute. Some
$4,000 and $4,000 gifts will be found
listed in the reports filed as the
campaign progresses.
Hope to Get 2 Million
Postmaster General James A.
Farley says the Democrats will
spend as much as they can get.
Their hopes of getting are pinned
on figure of $20O0,00O, which was
the sum spent to elect Mr.. Roosevelt
in 1892. They may get less.
Republicans comment acidly that
the Democrats don't need much
after voting themselves $4,000, 000,-
900 in the relief act of 1885, which
they charge is being used for poll
tical purposes.
The paucity of wealthy contribu
tors poses a problem for w. Forbes
Morgan, treasurer of the Democratic
National Committee, upon whom
devo1ves the job of being politely
bowed out of doors that once swung
open with welcome, and of raking
up the cash elsewhere.
Plan Ice Cream Festivals
Mr.. Morgan and his associates are
using, as a substitute, the ice cream
festival. church sociable ideas ex-
emplif1ed in the Jackson Day Din
ners, which raised $324,O00 and
wiped out the deficit, the Jefferson
Day dances, and now a scheme to
hold mock nominating conventions
in vacant lots and unused stadiums
all over the country on the big Sat-
urday night when Mr.. Roosevelt ac-
ceptS his denomination in Franklin
Field at Philadelphia.
The sum of 81 will entitle the
contributor to rank as a Roosevelt
nominator." BY this device the
Democrats hope to raise 81 100000.
but so did the Republicans with
similar 81 scheme. 1t is safe to
predict that both will be disappoint-
ed. s,
Other Schemes May Follow
Democratic thinkers promise to
think up lot more stunts of this
sort as summer wanes into fall.
They expect handsome profits
from the convention book they are
getting out, to which famous writ
ers will contribute. 1t will retail in
plain garb at $3.50, but if you want
something real to remember Phila-
delphia by there will be beautiful
work of art for $50.
Democrats came out of the red
for the first time in many years
in March when they reported $780,
S9l in the treasury after all bills,
some long due, were paid. Another
report, about the time Republicans
meet at Cleveland, will show how
well they are doing.