Evening star., 1937-02-20

tional amendment giving Congress
power by a two-thirds vote to re-
verse Supreme Court decisions invali-
dating laws. A congressional election
would have to intervene.
Under this amendment" he said.
there would be no hasty action.
There would be time for considered
Judgment. And unquestionably the
Congress would give more careful
consideration in the repassage of an
act declared unconstitutional by the
Supreme Court than it would to over
riding the veto Of the President Of
the United States.
Administration spokesmen claim
that this process would take too long
and that it is necessary for them to
act quickly and usurp the powers Of
the court.
I'm view Of this recent election, II
the President of the United States
would put his influence back Of an
amendment such as this, 1t would be
ratified in a very short time. Ap-
parently, there are those of the Presi-
dents advisers who suggest that such
measure could not be enacted and
I say to them that if the recent cleo
ton was not a mandate for social
reform, as I believe it was, then it Is
time for all of us to find out who won
the election.
And I am for a liberal Constitu-
ton. I recognize that that instru-
ment Is the fundamental expression
OF the peoples will. I know some
thing Of the modern complexities.
But do not think the creation OF a
political court will solve them"
Wheeler contrasted Attorney Cen
eral Cummings. who supported the
court program in a Sunday address,
with the late Senator Thomas j.
Walsh Of Montana. original appointee
to the position.
Walsh would never have advised
the President to pack the Supreme
Court" he said. And If his Presi-
dent had advised Congress to do so,
he would have had to look for a new
Attorney General"
Representatives Cox, Democrat, of
Georgia and Guyer, Republican, Of
Kansas, also criticized the program in
addresses last night. while Representa-
tive Hill, Democrat. Of Washington
lauded it as constitutional, democratic
and American.
Cox declared enactment Of the pro-
posal would make the Constitution a
scrap of paper. Guyer
called the court a target of vindictive
assailed by politicians whose
sinister design is not to destroy it
directly, but to corrupt 1t by packing
its personnel to control its decfees."
Sibley Statement.
Other developments:
President Harper Sibley Of the
United States Chamber of Commerce,
writing In the Washington Review
the chambers nagazine), said there
was abundant evidence the chamber
membership adhered to a 1928 policy
declaration that the legislative branch
should not attempt to "usurp or limit"
the judiciary's functions.
Attorney General Cummings, vaca-
tioning at Palm Beach, Fla, declared
the program would be enacted within
three months and then every one will
be discussing the advantages Of the
new system"
Fred Brenckman, Washington rep
resentative Of the National Grange,
wrote all Congressman questioning the
merit Of increasing the size Of the
court.
Mrs. Frederick Manning, dean of
Bryn Mawr College and daughter Of
the late william Howard Taft, said
she agreed with President Roosevelt
there should be an age limit for Fed
eral judges.
my father would have preferred a
legal retiring age, I had heard him
say" she said. He retired ut 70,
when he resigned"
DR.. Hugh S. Magill, president Of the
American Federation Of Investors,
which was active in the fight against
the utility holding company bill two
years ago. declared himself and the
organization against the program.
Such a law would, in effect, enable
the President to pack the Supreme
Court with justices who presumably
would conform to his WILL" he said.