Evening star., 1937-05-08

question"
It will be noted also that the
leagues news release" quoted Mrs
Marion A. Cheek of Buffalo, chair
man of the leagues economic welfare
department, as having discussed the
motion to withhold action on the
court plan as follows:
In view of the fact that action
could not have been taken by the
National League before this council
meeting and congressional hearings
have concluded, the league is not
In a position to act effectively at
this time. There is a diversity OF
opinion and the delegates here are
not able to reflect correctly the rec
ognized division of opinion among
the membership"
Amendment to Be Studied.
1t occurred to me as passing strange
that any spokesman for the League
of Woman Voters would consider that
the time for effective action" had
expired when congressional hearings
ere concluded on any pending bill
especially as in this case, before it
has been reported from committee
IN either the House or the Senate
and before any votes had been taken
m either house of Congress.
It also seemed odd that at the same
meeting, at which no action was
taken on the Presidents judiciary pro-
posal, the General Council, by a
two-thirds vote. decided to put on
rs program item for subsequent
study a proposal to make it easier
to amend the Constitution. Indeed
the news release said:
Action regarded by league lead
ers as more fundamental and more
reflective of the leagues interest in
the pending constitutional discussions
was an earlier vote to advocate an
amendment to the Federal Constitu-
zion which will make ratification OF
the amending process less difficult
and more responsive to the will of the
electorate"
Accordingly, sought an interview
with Miss Marguerite Wells, president
OF the League OF Women Voters, and
Mrs. Harris T. Baldwin, vice presi-
dent, and propounded number OF
questions along the foregoing lines.
The position taken that the league S
attitude at the General Council is in
no way to be construed as favoring
or condemning the Presidents Judi
eiary proposal, that the league itself
had not had time for effective ac-
ton BY this is meant that a sub
3ect is put on the two-year program
and, as a rule, thorough study is
conducted by one of the departments
Of the league and by the members be-
fore position is taken. In other
words, there has not been time for
reflective action within the league it.
self"
Deny Power to Speak.
AS Tor the powers of the council, it
was explained to me that many of the
members felt that they were not in a
position to speak for the constituent
bodies which they represent at coun-
Gil meeting. 1t was also pointed out
that the reference to congressional
hearings was not to be construed as
limiting the league hereafter to the
taking Of positions on current ques-
tlons after hearings have been held,
but was merely in reference to the
situation in which the council found
Itself at the meeting this week in
Washington.
Unlike the General Federation of
Women's Clubs, which recently bv
overwhelming vote condemned the
Presidents judiciary proposal, the
League of Women Voters is q study
group primarily and does not pass
resolutions until after a long period
OF study. Unfortunately for the Cen
eral Council meeting, the Presidents
concrete attack on the judiciary did
not come until February 5, so there
was not time to prepare a lengthy
study for members on which action
could be taken in time for the meeting
here this week.
What is, of course, just a bit puz-
Fling Is the fact that the council did
support the study of proposal advo-
eating an easier way tv amend the
constitution. But this is defended on
the ground that the leagues attention
Is devoted thereby to broad process
related to the structure of Govern
ment rather than to a single phase OF
the problems raised by the present
controversy over judicial interpreta-
ton.
Problem Importance Recognized.
It Is apparent, of course, that the
hague Of Women Voters, which NOR,
accurately should be described as {
league for the Study OF Curren
Problems by Women Voters, recognizes
the importance OF finding some answe
10 the present agitation over judicia
Interpretation. If it be conceded i
seems to me, that the Supreme Court
when under liberal influence stretches
the powers OF Congress derived from
ehe interstate commerce clause ant
hence "amends" the Constitution, thel
the converse is also tenable, namely
that the refusal of the four conserya
tive justices to add to the power
Of Congress at the expense Of tn
States is q refusal to amend" th'
Constitution.
President Roosevelt in his radi,
address told the country that ther,
was crisis ahead and that 1t tool
too long to amend the Constitution
because 13 States could block tn
amendment. Mr. Roosevelt, therefore
concluded that instead of changin,
the Constitution, it was much easie
to change the judges. When tn
League of Women Voters in its Gus
tomary non-partisan approach to al
question holds discussions on how t.
amend the Constitution in the easies
way, there will no doubt be Ney
Dealers on hand TO argue that tn
simplest Of all Is the Roosevelt metho'
which avoids the so-called bother o