Another Alfred

"Dear Alfred:

"I am tendering you herewith my resignation as chairman of our finance committee, as a member thereof and as a member of the executive committee. . . . ". . . It is desirable for the public to know, as everybody in General Motors should appreciate, that the corporation is not, and in the nature of things cannot be, in politics. . . .

"Sincerely yours, "John J. Raskob."

"Dear John:

"I beg to acknowledge receipt of yours of July 23rd. ... "In view of your conviction that your duty as chairman of the National Democratic Committee will monopolize your time . . . and on account of the importance to the corporation as well as to yourself of making it unmistakably clear that the corporation takes no part in political affairs, we are constrained to accept your request to be relieved of all your duties in connection with the corporation. . . . "Sincerely yours, "Alfred P. Sloan Jr."

President Sloan of General Motors made it clear, too, that Finance Chairman Raskob of General Motors was unanimously expected to resume his business duties when Democratic Chairman Raskob's job was over. But he reiterated that all General Motors officers, employes, dealers, stockholders were free to stand politically as each thought best. This emphasis, in both letters, made people doubt that too-much-work was the cause underlying the Raskob withdrawal. People said that the cause was pressure from within General Motors, notably perhaps from the six Fisher Brothers (bodies), four of whom are General Motors directors and at least one of whom has contributed money to Hooverism.* Mr. Raskob called such talk "too ridiculous to discuss." Smith headquarters were moved, as planned, into the Raskob offices in the General Motors Building. The net change was that the Brown Derby's chief spokesman ceased to be the chief spokesman of General Motors.

* Fred J. Fisher "and associates" gave $10,000. The G. M. C. Director Fishers are Fred J. Fisher, Lawrence P. Fisher, Charles T. Fisher, William A. Fisher. The other Fisher Brothers are Edward P. Fisher and Albert J. Fisher.