Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-01-15
congressman Interested in
EnIarging of Supreme Court.
DOCKET NOW IS TANNED
Lawyers Over Land Would Rejoice,
It Is Declared.
MIGHT ALSO AID WILSON
President Could Depend on New
Justices to Construe Legislation
From Progressive Standpoint.

Keen interest is manifested by men of
all parties In Congress over Senator
Cores proposition to increase the United
States Supreme Court from nine to eleven
members, especially since it Is generally
believed that the plan has the concur
renee Of President-to-be Wilson. The
political possibilities Of such action pre-
sent prospect very alluring to the
democrats and the progressive republic
cans.
1t is conceded, Of course, that the in
crease would not be made until President
Wilson is in office and vested with the
power of appointing the two new justices.
1t is taken as a matter of course. since
Gov. Wilson's declaration night before
last. to the New Jersey electors. that
"only progressives would be placed on
guard
That is to say, the two appointees
would be men upon whom the President
could depend to construe from progress
sive viewpoint the progressive legislation
passed by Congress, the constftutional1ty
Of which might be attacked.
Control of Senate.
1t is now taken for granted that
President-to-be Wilson when he gets his
stride in having enacted into law the
reforms he contemplates will have a
working majority in the Senate. The
absolute democratic majority Of one
may be increased by picking up an
other democratic senator or two in the
elections yet to be held. but at any
rate he will have the support Of a
sufficient number of progressive re-
publicans to give him control of the
Senate.
| Thus. with an enthusiastic and harmoni-
Gus House, an approving Senate and a
Supreme Court presumably In sympathy
with his policies. President Wilson would
be In an enviable position to carry out
speedily the democratic policies and have
them approved by the court of last re-
sort.
No constitutional amendment will be
necessary to increase the membership of
dOwed with full power over that as well
as all other federal judicial bodies. 1t is
thought that a bill to increase the MEM
bership Of the court would pass the
House without friction and would also
pass the Senate.
Far Behind Docket.
Aside from the political phase OF the
question, strong Endorsement would come
from the bar of the country. it is thought
The court is now far behind on it's docket,
and many important cases are caught in
the log JAM Two more working justices
would loosen the jam materially, to the
great Joy of the lawyers of the land.
There is every present indication that
the incoming President is to have the
hearty support of his party in Congress.
There Is not a whisper Of dissent You
cannot find a ''reactionary" democrat In
the Senate With a finetooth comb. Para
phrasing saying at recent notable
dinner in this town the democratic sena-
tors declare II have been a lifelong pro-
pressive since last election day.
Riding Upon Crest.
But, as a fact, the ertswhile oonserva-
tive democrats are riding on he crest of
the great progressive wave. and the new
President will find no man to say him
nav i'm his own party, and as for the
old guard republicans, such of them as
have survived the cataclysm of November
will not be in position to throw monkey
wrench into the Wilson machinery If they
should desire.
Gov. Wilson is in constant communica-
ton with the leaders in Congress and
knows Just what they are doing and plan
ming to do, while they know what he
wants them to do and are willing to CON-
form.
The new Congress will be organized
promptly and without difficulty. Speaker
Clark will be reelected and the ways and
means committee will fill the committee
ready for introduction in the House as
soon as it is organized, and will be push
ed with vigOr.