The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-04-24
State Chairman Has
 Bevildered Leaders
{Continued from E'age 1)

Smith of Waterbury, the chairman's brother, was taken by surprise. He stated emp. latically that Chairman Smith does not speak for the entire Smith family. However, he refused to state his feeling on the supreme court bill.
 Sharp Oss-Examination
 Smith was subjected to 8 terrific bombardment by Senator William H. Dietrich of Illinois. The Con- necticcut state chairman declared that despite widespread attempts to create support for the supreme court bill through the organization of the democratic party, the Connecticut democrats have not adopted the proposal as a party issue.
 Rebuke of Farley
 The unusual feature of the testi- mony was State Chairman Smith rebuking National Chairman James A. Farley, whom he charged with endeavoring to make court reform a partisan issue. He charged that enlargement of the court will deal a death blow to constitutional govern- ment. He emphasized the fact that he was not speaking as private of- ficial but as democratic ofticiap. Senator Dietrich submitted him to a severe cross examination but he refused to be swerved from his stand. Dietrich asked Smith If he had read the presidents fireside chat on the court plan and when Smith said he had Dietrich said: And you as an offlcer of the dem- ocratic party still believe the type of men the president would appoint would endager the court?"
 King Praises Him
 T do," replied Smith. On the other hand Senator King of Utah praised Smith. T want to say that I have made several speeches ir Connecticut and l want to pay you a compliment for your industry, zeal and patriotic activity in behalf of the democratic party" he said. Senator Burke of Nebraska asked Smith if he knew Congressman Smith. He's my brother" said Chairman Smith.
 Declaring that approval of the presidents bill would pave the way for a revulsion against liberal gov- ernment, Smith said: "No democrat who has lived in the home state of MT. J. Henry Roraback can fail to be interested in any threat against liberal government"
 Challenged Quickly
 After he had read his statement, Smith was immediately challenged by Senator Dietrich who asked him if he had prepared the statement himself. Smith replied in the af- firmative. He then called attention to the fact that Smith had referred to Congressman Pettengill, Con- gressman Wilcox and Congressman Cox. He. asked Smith if he knew the men and the Waterbury man admitted he didn't.
 "You say that if the court is made up of partisans there is no constitutional government?" asked Dietrich. Smith said that that was what he believed. Senator Dietrich pointed out that in past recent years, defeated republican candi- dates for president have been named to the supreme court but that no presidential candidate has been so honored. (Which proves by your contention that there has been no constitutional government for a long time," the senator said. Smith replied that the appointments were made to fill regularly occurring va cancies. wouldn't Landon have ap- pointed Hoover to the supreme court if he won't" asked Dietrich, but Smith refused to be led into further discussion along this line.
 Hike Liberty League
 Smith told the committee that Farley's efforts to classify democrat ic opposition to the court reform plan are on e par with activities of the Liberty league and the so. called Jefferson democrats in the last election. Spectators and news- papermen alike were amazed at the vigorous manner in which Smith ate tacked the national chairman. Tt may seem ridiculous for it to be necessary to defend the right ef Q democrat to hold and express inde- pendent views on such Q matter as lhis", said Smith, "but this Issue would not have been Ialsod by me