The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-01-07

otItCtAy V hCW 0SNA AASt%SSNsh 'hot oil" control and the railroad pension act were ruled out. The two latter were re-enacted in what may be proper form.
 Tn rigorous adherence to yester- days decision, the administration overnight stopped, temporarily at least, all benefit payments and col- lection of processing taxes.
 The pay of $6,646 AAA workers was stopped, as was any immediate payment of $282, ,ol0,348 or more of money due farmers on 1885 crop reduction contracts. The proposed appropriation would discharge some of that obligation.
 Process Tax Uncertain
 Tho decision threw Into uncer- tainty the status of processing taxes collected under the law. They to. tailed $963, 3,073,8l2 to Jan. 3. At that time an additional $20i ,000, 900 was held in escrow in the courts where proccssors fought against making the payment under the amendments to the original AAA.
 Tho decision had Q paraly2ing effect on this seat of government.
 The capital wanted to know what form the discussion took in the cross -roads store, how the news was accepted in households, clubs, stores and in the multitude of places where gather the people who make up this nation.
 The senate, in the midst of re- ceiving the presidents budget mes- sage when the AAA decision was reached, recessed at l;20 D. nn., until Thursday to give leaders c chance to catch their breath.
 Sen. COstlgan Speaks
 Sen. Edward P. Costigan, d., Colo, who Is sponsoring Q constitutional amendment to give congress the broadest powers over industry and agriculture, said the decision im- posed on congress "the imperative obligation of submitting to the states Q constitutional amendment which will permit adaptable federal legislation If and when 1t Is re- quired by the general welfare to cope with such bitter peace time crisis as our people have exper- fenced"
 "It Is inconeeivable," costigan said, that 6 congress which is em- powered to declare war with oil this implies will be content to remain powerless to deal with economic disorders which If unremedied may force the nation into paths as diiii- cult and disastrous as war;
 What Green Said
 President William Green of the American Federation of Labor said the decision, made "thc necessity for on amendment to the constitu. ton more imperative"
 Senator Majority Leader Joseph T. Robinson said the benefits to agriculture were no more than had been accorded industry through tariff protection.
 "It Is difficult for me to under stand the difference in morals or In a law between c tax for the benefit of manufacture and 0 tax for the benefit of agriculture" he said.
 Senate Republican Leader Charles l.. McNary of oregon, was the first to offer 0 definite plan in substitution.
 He said his optional measure pro- ylding for use either Of the export debenture, the equalization fee or the domestic allotment plan, would stand ali tests of constitutionality".
 What The Court Held
 Briefly the court held!
 The national government may not 20 into Q state and coax It's citizens to enter Into 0 general plan Of co. operation to reduce production of crops, even though they may want to enter such c scheme voluntarily or even gladly.
 The broad and general terms oi the opinion indicated that where 0 states power was concerned, the national government could take no steps which would seem to exercise that power, however remotely.
 Not c sound was audible in the thick -carpeted room while Roberts, youngest member of the bench, in tones sometimes pedagogic, some- times defensive, spoke the courts decision. He said:
 "This court neither approves or condemns any legislative policy. It's delicate and difficult otiice is to as- certain and declare whether the legislation Is In accordance with, or in contravention of, the provisions of hte constitution; and having done that It's duty ends"
 General Welfare
 Roberts then turned to the gov. ernment's main argument, that the general welfare" clause of the con- stitution justifies It's action in pay ing farmers bounties to induce them to enter agreements to curb their acreage. He weighed and ex- amined the conflicting theories of Alexander Hamilton, who favored a strong national government, and JdIIleo MhuibOu WAO dChAuAAdCA strong state powers.
 He raised a momentary ray of hope in the administration specta- tors by saying that the Hamilton ian interpretation of the welfare clause-permitting congress to Hay taxes .. and provide for the general welfare'--would be accept ed by the supreme court.
 But he soon changed the trend of his decision by saying that even this liberal interpretation of the clause leaves the power to spend subject to limitations". Thus, he said, the power to spend is limited by the words general welfare"
 Words That Condemned
 Then Roberts spoke the words which unmistakably condemned AAA:
 "This act invades the reserved rights of the states. It is a statu- tory plan to regulate and control agricultural production, a matter beyond the powers delegated to the federal government. The tax, the