Evening star., 1935-02-20
GOLD LEGISLATION
STILL UNCERTAIN
Roosevelt Says Decision for
u. S. Protection Awaits
Study by Lawyers.
BY the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
President Roosevelt said today a de-
cision on possible legislation to protect
the Government fully against any
legal suits under the gold clause de-
cisions would await thorough study by
lawyers.
Obviously pleased by the Supreme
Courts ruling upholding the Govern
ment's monetary program, Mr.. Roose-
welt at his regular press conference
said it would be some time before it
was determined whether further leg
islation is necessary.
AS the President spoke there already
was Capitol Hill talk of injecting into
future political campaigns the question
whether holders Of Government gold
bonds should receive q premium In de-
valued dollars. Many considered this
issue still somewhat remote, however.
The President denied published re-
ports (not carried by the Associated
Press) that a decision had been
reached for gold legislation and also
denied that this question came UP be-
fore the Emergency Council yesterday.
Congratulates Cummings.
With q smile, Mr.. Roosevelt told
newspaper men that the only reference
to gold at yesterdays council meeting
was his congratulations to Attorney
General Cummings and Of his telling
of the golf story Of four down and five
to 60.
This story was not repeated by the
President, but was believed to be the
same one told today on Capitol Hill
by Senator Vandenberg, Republican of
Michigan, who said:
The Attorney General says that
when he enters the Supreme Court to
argue money, 1t is like starting a golf
game four down and five to go.
He is better of, however, than the
citizen with a gold Government bond.
The citizen Is 18 up and no place to
play"
Meanwhile some Observers wondered
whether the future might not see hold
ers of Government bonds organized to
carry to Congress fight to be paid in
the equivalent of the old gold dollar.
The possibility was discussed pri-
vately among high officials Of the ad-
ministration as well as some of those
opposed to the monetary policies of
the Roosevelt administration.
Meanwhile. Senator Hastings. Re-
publican. of Delaware, while not fore
casting the future. said in a state
ment that the decision demonstrated
that so far as monetary legislation is
concerned, the people must depend
upon the Congress and not upon the
Supreme Court"
Hastings conceded that the imme-
diate effect OF the decision was help
full from a business standpoint, but
said mo man can predict what effect
it will have upon the country in years
to come"
THE reputation of a contract" he
said, ''is recognized by all good peo-
pie as dishonorable thing. 1t is very
much more serious, however, when the
United States Government is the gull
ty party.
The Supreme Court says that the
Congress went beyond its power in
passing the joint resolution Of June
S, 1888, whereby 1t repudiated its con-
tract, but that the Congress has by
other acts prevented a remedy from
being applied.
Struggled 10 Find Way Out.
"The Congress ought not to be per-
mitted to do indirectly what 1t cannot
expressly do. It seems to me that the
opinion shows on its face that the
majority struggled to find a way out"
Although many agreed the gold de-
cisions helped clear the path Tor
American participation in any con-
ference on currency stabilization, the
United States has made no moves to
open that question.