Evening star., 1935-08-12
Hoover
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Constitution to meet specific problems
as ofttime in the past. This has been
evident from the demands made upon
and the surrender by Congress to the
President of powers reaching to die
tatorial dimensions and in the lnVa-
sion of States rights. For two years
primary liberties of the people have
been trampled upon.
I'm effect, the Supreme Court called
halt to part of the concentration OF
powers which has resulted in crea-
ton of monopolies, in coercion. in
reputation and in other indirect in
vasion. The lower courts have de-
clared still other acts unconstitu-
tional
Intent to Change Constitution.
But the President, in his criti-
cism of the Supreme Court, his refer
ence to horse days and
to the powers of European govern
ments, revealed that these were not
emergency measures nor temporary
laws, as had been asserted when they
were passed. Moreover. We have wit
messed the astounding passage OF
bills to prevent our citizens from hav-
ing access to the courts to right their
wrongs Further, We now see de-
mand from the President not to per-
nit doubts as to the constitution
ality of a proposed law to block its
passage. We listen to constant urg-
ings from prominent members of this
administrator that the Constitution
must be revised. These things can
have no other meaning than con-
tinuous intent to change the Consti-
tuition directly so as to authorize such
acts and such concentration of powers
to accomplish them indirectly.
Frankness Is Demanded.
mo matter how destructive an
amendment might be and even though
the people were persuaded to i'll
advised action upon it, yet it would
be better for liberty to commit licide
in the open rather than to be poisoned
by indirection in the Capital of the
Nation.
mo more moment, ; question has
been raised since the Civil War.
Common frankness requires that the
administration come forward to the
people and declare precisely wherein
under our Constitution, we cannot
correct evils and cannot prevent So
cial maladjustments.
The time has come when these full
purposes should be disclosed. The
people should now be told openly the
specific words of the exact amend
ment that these gentlemen want. SO
that the people can consider and
themselves determine it. That is their
right"
Opinion Is Divided.
Among those who insisted that Mr..
Hoover's statement meant that he
would run for the presidential nomi-
nation next year we're Senator Gibson,
Republican, of Vermont, and Repre-
sentative Dies Of Texas, a Democrat
Gibson said that he considered the
statement a preliminary outline OF
Mr.. Hoover's platform. Senator Nye
of North Dakota said he thought that
tht statement suggested desire 10
become candidate.
Senator Steiwer, Republican. OF
Oregon, on the other hand, pointed
out that Mr.. Hoover could make that
kind of a statement whether he
wished to be a candidate or not.
"Others," continued Steiwer, have
said much the same thing recently,
including Senator Borah."
Representative Smell of New York,
Republican leader of the House, said
that Mr.. Hoover's demand for an open
declaration by the President on the
subject of the Constitution was "the
most pertinent question Herbert
Hoover has asked
Norris Takes Issue.
Senator Norris of Nebraska, Repub-
lican. and a supporter of President
Roosevelt, took issue with the Hoover
statement.
''I don't know why we should de-
mand that the President set forth his
proposals for changing the Constitu-
ton before Congress adjourns," Norris
said. 1--WE may find out later that
some changes are necessary.
If we can't pass laws under the
Constitution to relieve this depression,
we ought to change the Constitution
so that we can. Some Supreme Court
decisions that are handed down after
Congress adjourns may show what is
needed in this regard"