Evening star., 1937-02-13
ROOSEVELT TALKS
WITH SIX SENATORS
ON COURT CHANGES
Three of Group Called to
White House Are Against
Proposal.
PRESIDENT PREPARED
TO MAKE STIFF FIGHT
Clark of Missouri to Oppose Plan.
Moley, Former Adviser,
Voices Opposition.
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.

President Roosevelt today conferred
at the White House with six Demo-
cratic Senators on his proposal fer
recognizing the judiciary, as opposi-
ton to his plan to increase the ST.
preme Court membership grew in
volume.
OF the Senators called to the White
House, at least three are openly op-
posed to the Supreme Court phase Ct
the proposal.
First to arrive for the conference.
regarded as another presidential effort
to win congressional support and solid
ify the Democratic ranks, were Sem
ators King of Utah, Burke of Ne
braska and Van Nuys Of Indiana, all
of whom have been outspoken in their
opposition to the suggestion that the
high courts membership be in
creased to IS.
A little later Senator Byrnes Of
South Carolina, who has Endorsed the
plan, and Senator Harrison OF Missis-
sippi, who has given it only qualified
support, arrived. After these five
left Mr.. Roosevelt conferred with
Senator Lonergan of Connecticut, who
has not announced his attitude pub
icly.
President to Press Fight.
The President has given strong in
dications that he intends to press his
fight for the legislation despite all
opposition. 1t is expected he will
discuss the matter personally with
virtually every member Of the Senate
and a large number of Representa-
tives.
Opposition to the plan was strength
ened by criticism from Senator Clark
of Missouri and Raymond Moley,
former Roosevelt brain truster."
Meanwhile the administration forces
supporting the measure were by
no means idle. Every effort is be-
ing made to keep additional Senators
and Representatives from declaring
themselves in opposition. At least one
influential Democratic Senator was
prevailed on not to announce himself
in opposition to the plan-at least for
the time. He consented to delay, but
insisted that he had no intention OF
changing his attitude.
Clark to Fight Plan.
Senator Clark, son of the late Speak
er Champ Clark, will fight the bill, as it
relates to the Supreme Court, when
it reaches the floor of the Senate, ne
announced last night in a carefully
prepared statement. Clark Is one Of
the most prominent Of the younger
Democratic group Of leaders. HIS
friends often name him as possible
contender for the Democratic presi-
dental nomination in 1910.
In his statement to the press Sen
ator Clark stated emphatically: With
the very best will in the world. am
totally unable to agree with the pro-
visions Of the measure proposed by
the President in so far as its immedi-
ate effects would involve the sack Of
the Supreme Court Of the United
States"
Approves Other Provisions.
The Missouri Senator added that he
was in general accord with the other
provisions of the bill so far as the in
ferior courts are concerned.
Moley, in a radio address, said the
proposed Supreme Court change
strikes at the heart of Democratic
government"
Moley, former Assistant Secretary
of State but now a magazine editor.
declared that constitutional amend
ment was the proper method to seek
49, C0IrPT pana A0N