Evening star., 1937-02-06

that he thought he had some i'm
portant news.
He turned to one correspondent in
the front row, who he knew was leaving
the White House assignment to go
into private business at the end of the
week, and said: IT think will give
you something to remember your last
White House press conference for a
long time"
The President then began reading
Of the Attorney Generals letter ex-
planning the need for revamplng the
judiciary. Then he paused.
by the way. this reading Is going
to be long, and it will take me some
time to get through, but suggest that
no one leave before I have finished
because don't think you'll want to
miss it."
One wit in the press group an
swered by saying, Go ahead, sir, and
read it all. We've brought our lunches
and are in no hurry"
The President then read on in a
clear tone and with great emphasis.
When he reached that part Of his
message where he was referring to the
early days Of the Republic when Fed
eral judges were compelled to ride
their circuits, he looked up from his
reading and said Ives. and they rode
the circuit on horses. I guess that's
what you'd call the pre-horse and
buggy days."
The President quickly explained.
however, that remark was just a
happy thought of his and was not
contained in the message itself.
There was no mistaking the fact
that Mr.. Roosevelt took particular de-
light in that part of his message
where he was telling how some judges
stay on so long after passing the re-
tirement age, in which was the fol-
lowing quotation: They seem to be
tenacious of the appearance Of ade-
quacy."
There was considerable laughter,
but the President quickly explained
the remark was not original. He said
he was quoting from the writing Of
some member Of the Supreme Court.
He said he would not reveal the
writer's name, but would leave it to
the research members of the press.
It has since been learned the author
Of that was Chief Justice Charles Evans
Hughes, and that the President was
quoting from the Chief Justices
book, '"The Supreme Court of the
United States"
It took more than IS minutes for
the President to read his message
and the accompanying letter of the
Attorney General and the draft Of
the bill Incorporating his ideas.
Seated back of the President during
the conference were the Presidents
three secretaries, Early, Marvin H.
Mcintyre and James Roosevelt, the
Presidents eldest son, and Charles
Nicholson. director of publicity of the
Democratic National Committee.
It has not been revealed at the
White House just who was in the
group mentioned by the President in
his message as having conferred with
him during his months Of studying
this judiciary reorganization. 1t is
known, however, that the President
has frequently conferred during this
period with his old personal friend,
Samuel I. Roseman, who was his
counsel when he was Governor of
New York and who is now chief
Justice of the Supreme Court Of New
York.
Felix Frankfurter, head of the Har-
ward Law School, who has long been
rated as one of the leading brain
trusters Of the New Deal administra-
ton, also has been a frequent visitor
at the White House. It is thought
likely, too, that Senator Wagner OF
New York, formerly New York Su-
preme Court justice, and Donald Rich
berg, former head Of N. r. A., were
consulted by the President.
It is natural to suppose that the At
torney General was q close adviser,
and that opinions were sought from
Senator Ashurst Of Arizona, chairman
of the Judiciary Committee, as well as
Representative SumneEs Of Texas,
chairman Of the House judiciary COM