Evening star., 1938-01-09

The Jackson Day dinners last night
took bite out of the pay of Federal
employees over coast-to-coast net
work
Scaling downward from the $780,
per-plate banquet at the MayHower,
where President Roosevelt spoke. to
the more modest $50 and SIS snacks
at strategic points over ,the country.
the faithful and not-so-faithful came
early and stayed late. to eat the Demo-
cratic spasty out of the red. A,..
The sponsors hoped that good time
was had by all, and that the party
would be able to wipe out a 100000
deficit and have little something
left over for the 1898 congressional and
State campaigns. And it was a good
boost for Andrew Jackson. too.
From all accounts partisanship had
no place in the affairs. The only
prerequisite to participation was a
place on the Federal pay roll, political
or civil service.
Naturally there was no compulsion
about attending That was up to the
individual. Any one disposed to pay
and fast had that privilege.
The Committees List.
The Democratic National Commit
tee started sending out invita- tions two
months ago. using a list of those who
had attended similar functions last
year and others who had been s,lg-
gested as possessing the qualities that
make for a good $lO0 diner-out in a
worthy cause.
Just where the line of demarcation
lay between those who were supposed
to be able to look 500 dinner in the
face without choking and those who
would have had to approach it blind
folded, was matter of conjecture, but
a salary figure of $4,000 to $4,000 was
quoted. Presumably, the tariffs else
where were graded in proportion, and
the Young Democrats here had a good
time with a dance at $l.65, including
tax, replacing the $40 dinner OF last
year. The hosts. incidentally, made it
easy for the $1O0 guests by allowing
installment payments.
The distribution of invitations was
handled efficiently and properly, with
deliveries being made only to the
homes, in view of the statute prohib-
iting political solicitation in Federal
buildings.
If no answer were received in re-
sponse to the first bid, the postman
rang again. If this brought no re-
suits, a third polite letter suggested
that the holiday rush must have been
responsible for the neglect, and cou-
pied this with a reminder that time
was 1eeting.
"Some Turned on the Heat"
In one quarter it was said that some
supervisory officers were annoyed by
the whole idea, and just let their STATS
be guided by their conscience. Others,
however, it was added, turned on the
heat"
4 Reports Of any sort of compulsion
being used to push the sale of the $lOO
dinner tickets were denied by Oliver
A. Quayle, jr., acting treasurer of the
Democratic National Committee, who
was in charge Of the dinner arrange
n1entS
"It is entirely a voluntary affair" ,"
he said yesterday, giving Democrats
an opportunity to contribute to the
financial support Of the party and to
meet together with the President, such
an opportunity as they have at no
other time of the year."
1t was estimated unofhcially that
about 80 per cent Of those at the May
flower were Federal jobholders.
Emcient organization of the affair
resulted in much less confusion than
attended preparations for similar din
ners in the past. However, Mr.. Quayle
and his staff had worked until mid
night OF later nearly every night for
the past fortnight and were kept busy
On iase-minute details yesterday.
Five extra typists and stenographers
helped the regular stan in sending
out invitations and tickets. Tickets
were dispatched by registered mail a.
soon as checks were received. thus
eliminating q 1ast-ninute lam.