Evening star., 1937-08-08
Steam Roller Used
to Put End to
Long Fight.
MOVE FOR VOTE
is CHECkMATED
Senators Allowed
to State Stands,
i'll Record.
BACKGROUND


For more than sir months Con-
rress struggled iUith q court re-
form program urged by President
Roosevelt, entdiling the addition
OF as many as sir members to the
Supreme Court and the reDdmp-
ing OF lotper Federal courts. After
bitter controversy, the plan
affecting the Supreme Court toas
dropped, it being productive only
OF retirement legislation for jus
ttces reaching the age OF 20. Con-
press then turned to the lotUer
court program.
The last lurkirg ghost of the presi-
Dental bill to remake the Supreme
Court had fled yesterday when the
Senate in less than an hour passed
the procedural reform bill for the low
er Federal courts-the mild, almost
unrelated substitute for the deceased
White House measure.
In the tame debate, barely men,
ton was made OF the administration
bill which for five and half months
was the center of the Nations atten-
ton, the terror of the Senate and the
bombshell which tore asunder the
Democratic party inside and outside
Of Congress.
A big beam on his face and lusty
gavel in his hand, Vice President Gar
ner practically hammered the discus
sion to a close. A tolerated steam
roller in his own person, Garner fat
tened out those who might have
brought up embarrassing memories of
the recent past and sidetracked de-
mand for roll call.
Advance Precautions Taken.
Thus, bv . combination of the Vice
Presidents strong arm measures and
advance precsution taken by the Sem
ate leadership to restrain a revival
Of the old battle. no voice was raised
to discuss the Supreme Court and no
effort was made to propose by amend
ment new curb on the high tribunal.
The same eager1ess to get rid of the
fight was evidenced later by House
spokesmen, who declared the bill, an
enlarged version of an earlier House
measure, would probably be sent di-
rectly to conference. Thus would
come the final disposal, for this ses-
sion. of the constitutional battle OF q
century.
Vice President Garner. the admin
istration's chief sgent--and a very
willing one--in its surrender on the
Supreme Court bill. took the Senate
by surprise in making swift disposal
of the lower court measure yesterday.
There had been brief discussion
Then a minor committee amendment
had been sent to the desk by Senator
McCarran, Democrat, of Nevada, who
was in charge of the bill.
"Withou. objection, agreed to-"
cried Garner.
Then he went right on to passage
OF the bill itself
without objection the amendments
In the nature OF substitute will be
agreed to. The chair hears no objec-
ton. Without objection the bill is
passed"
Banged Gayel Passes Measure.
These words OF Garner ran one upon
another. Any one Of different mind
could not have spoken before the Vice
President, showing delighted smile
to the Senators beneath him, banged
his gsvel in token OF the passage of
the measure.
Senator McCarran, outright oppon-
ent of the original court bill. looked a
little dazed on his feet Senator Con-
nally, Democrat, of Texas, another
rebel on the original bill. had been
standing up, ready TO explain a section
OF the substitute lower court measure.
He let his pince-nez drop TO the end
of BLACK ribbon and then allowed
himself to fall back slowly into his
chair.
Three administration Senators jump
ed to their feet as II they would OBJ
tect but they all thought better OF it.
At first Senator Guffey Democrat, of
Pennsylvania, belligerent loyslist on
the Supreme Court proposal, was de-
manding a roll call, but he did not
press his request
Mr.. President" he said. II desire
TO be recorded as voting against the
bill"
Senator Lewis, Democrat, of Illinois
non-committal on the original bill,
(see COURT, Page A-8J