Evening star., 1937-03-15
|COURT RESTRAINT
AND AMENDMENT.
ASKED BY NORRIS
Senator in 2 Measures for
"ReasonabIe Degree of
Control"
JUDGES LIFE TENURE
"RELIC OF MONARCHY"
Opponents of Administration
Plan Add Proposals to Many
Under Study.
BACKGROUND

BACKGROUND
Democratic Senators opposed to
Roosevelt plan to appoint sir neaO
justices to Supreme Court BY act
OF Congress unless incunlbentS oUer
70 retire, hare been seeking salts
factory constitutional amendment
as basis OF compromise
Although President has indicated
ne Udnts no middle course, infu-
enttdl Senators haze suggested de-
sarabtlity OF amendment requiring
more than majority pote of court
to 'nualtdate national legislation,
combined Uith a permanent statu-
tory increase in size OF court.
BY the Associated Press.
Senator Norris, Independent, of
Nebraska, brought out today drafts
OF both bill and a constitutional
amendment to impose what he terms
"a reasonable degree of control" on
the courts.
While Senate hearings on the
Roosevelt judiciary bill were in recess
until tomorrow, Norris suggested again
that other legislative remedies" be
attempted first.
His bill would require at least a
tWo-thirds vote by the Supreme
Court to invalidate law.
Calling life tenure for Judges "a
relic of absolute monarchy" he sug-
gested amending the Constitution to
limit appointments to Federal courts
to nine years. II Senate opinion
should favor longer or shorter term,
he said, the change would meet no
objection from him.
Opponents of the administration
bill allowing enlargement of the
Supreme Court unless older justices
retire quickly added the Norris pro-
posals to the many they are studying
as alternatives.
Senator Van Nuys, Democrat. OF
Indiana. reported some progress in
the attempt to agree on one or more
amendments which the Democratic
opposition might support as a body.
Little Time Required.
After conferring with other Demo-
cratic opponents in his Office, Sena-
tor Wheeler, Democrat, of Montana,
disputed assertions by administration
spokesmen that it would take much
time for them to get together on
specific amendments.
Our crowd could get together on an
amendment like that" he said, snap
ping his fingers sharply.
If the President would recommend
any reasonable amendment, Congress
would submit it to the people and
could provide for action by State con-
ventions in less time than will be
used in debating this bill of his"
Senator King, Democrat, of Utah, an
opponent of the Roosevelt bill, de-
clared number of people" had told
him supporters of the program had
received more time for radio addresses
than had foes
He said he was investigating these
statements and an assertion by Sena-
tor Wheeler that Wheeler's address at
Chicago last Wednesday against the
bill was not broadcast to the Western
portion Of a Nationwide hook-up.
Columbia Broadcasting System Off
cials in New York said previous COM
mercial commitments prevented inclu-
sion Of West Coast stations and that
Wheeler had been offered time fol-
another speech over the entire net
work. The system has presented II
talks on each side of the issue, an
official said.
Although no intimations of com
promise have come from leaders of
either side in the dispute, the posi-
lSee COURT Page AL