Evening star., 1937-04-26
WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE,

vocates and opponents OF the judiciary
scheme. The booklet supplies graphic
and historical evidence of radios role in
the field of public discussion.
No foreign propaganda since World
War days has measured up in persistence
to the current Europe inspired effort to
hornsWoggle the United States into IA
thering an international conference on
peace, economics or disarmament, or all
three. President Roosevelt seizes every
useful occasion to let it be known that
he has no such plans in mind. The Ad-
ministration welcomes any moves look
ing to real improvement in gravely dis
ordered world conditions But the Presi-
dent and Secretary Hull have two firm
inhibitions on the subject-D they don't
believe the time has yet come for action
by the international conference route,
and CD they resent the obvious cam
paign to crowd Uncle Sam into assum-
ing responsibility for such a recourse
Belgian Premier Van iceland is destined
to hear something to this effect when
he reaches Washington in June, to take
Americas conference pulse.
~ X X
From a distinguished former member
OF the United States Senate this observer
receives the following communication:
Congress itself is largely responsible for
action OF the Supreme Court in invalidat-
ing acts which the court thinks repug-
nant to the Constitution. Congress has
been responsible for the reason that it
took no steps to protect and defend the
Constitution in granting Congress ex-
elusive legislative power. 1t permitted
the Dred Scott decision to pass without
protest or rebuke. 1t repeatedly per-
mitted the court to nullify acts of Con-
gress since then. Over and over again it
has put sections in legislative acts, de-
clar1ng that If any part of the act is
mValldated by the courts, such q decision
should not invalidate other parts. In
other words, Congress through the years
has invited the Supreme Court to de-
clare invalid any act which it thought
repugnant to the Constitution. That is
why the public has been educated to be-
heVe that the Constitution gave the court
the right OF nuHifying acts of Congress
and In effect OF exercising veto or legis-
latlve power This grave general miscon-
ceptlon cannot be laid at the door of
the Constitution itself"
X
After wandering in the Jungle of si-
lence for six months, the elephant is
coming back to life. To what extent
National Chairman John Hamilton's
plans to broadcast a series of four talks
next month foreshadow militant Re-
publican activities remains to be seen. 1t
looks as If Ogden L. Mills recent taunt
OF lack Of G. o. P. leadership may have
spurred Hamilton into action. Popular
disapproval of the Roosevelt Supreme
Court program and growing Democratic
internal strife may also have encouraged
the minority high command to resume
war paint. Shortly after the November
election, Hamilton said it was up to the
party's spokesmen in Congress, few as
they are, to formulate and execute Re-
publican policy.
Federal bank deposit insurance is in
creasing in popularity Total deposits of
1894 insured commercial banks as of
December 81 last amounted to more than
IS, 900 000, 900, an increase Of $1,000 000,-
100000, or IL per cent, since the end OF
1885.
(Copyright, 1879