Evening star., 1937-01-06
Praises Other
Government
Branches.
n. r. A. SOUND.
HE DECLARES
Gets Great Ovation
on Appearance
Chamber.
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.

A demand for greater cooperation
on the part of the judicial branch Of
the Government with the legislative
and executive branches for the proper
advancement OF the American people
was the main theme of President
Roosevelt's address to Congress today
Appearing before the House and
Senate in joint session in the House
chamber, the President praised the
measure of cooperation which has ex-
listed between the legislative and the
executive branches. a cooperation
which has succeeded in bringing a
great measure of recovery.
He expressed the belief and the hope
that this cooperation would continue
during the next four years. The Pres
ident added most significantly:
The judicial branch also is asked
by the people to do its part in making
democracy successful. We do not ask
the courts to call non-existent powers
into being, but we have right to ex-
pect that conceded powers or those
legitimately implied shall be made
effective instruments for the common
good"
implications Unavoidable.
II Mr.. Roosevelt has in mind asking
the Congress for an amendment to
the Constitution to validate New Deal
laws, particularly those dealing with
hours of labor and wages and control
of production, he did not disclose it.
Indeed, he seemed to take the posi-
ton that a constitutional amendment
Is not needed so much as a different
attitude on the part of the judiciary.
The President made no mention by
name of the Supreme Court. The
implications in his address, however,
were unavoidable.
During the past year there has
been growing belief" Mr.. Roosevelt
said. that there is little fault to be
found with the Constitution as it
stands today.
THE vital need is not an alteration
Of our fundamental law, but an in
creasingly enlightened view with refer
ence to it. Difficulties have grown out
Of its Interpretation; but rightly con-
sidered, it can be used as in instru-
ment Of progress and not as device
Tor prevention of action"
With a better understanding of
our purposes, and more intelligent
recognition of our needs as a Nation.
it Is not to be assumed that there will
be prolonged failure to bring legislative
and judicial action into closer har-
mony.
Means must be found to adapt our
legal forms and our judicial interpreta-
tion to the actual present national
needs of the largest progressive de-
mocracy in the modern world"
What steps along this line will be
proposed, the President did not emu
merate or describe. There have been
demands in other quarters that the
powers of the Supreme Court to de-
clare acts of Congress unconstitutional
be curtailed
Holds N. r. A. Sound.
The President has not been so
fortnight in his criticism of the
judiciary since his comment to the
press after the Supreme Courts de.
cision nullifying the national recovery
act, when he referred to the horse
and buggy days"
The President made no promise Of
reviying the N. r. A. in its old form.
He did say. however: Sober second
thought confirms most of us in thu
belief that the broad objectives of
the national recovery act we're sound.
We know now that its difficulties
arose from the fact that it tried to
do too much"
He continued: THE statute of the
N. r. A. has been outlawed. The
problems have not-they are still with
U.s."
Receives Great Ovation.
The President was accorded a great
ovation when he appeared In the
House chamber for his first address to
(See CONGRESS. Page A-2)