Evening star., 1937-07-16
Court
Continued From First Page.)

Continued From First Page)
President himself was taking advan-
tage" of the period of mourning for
Senator Robinson, the dead Demo-
cratic leader, in writing and making
public such a letter.
"Preposterous" was the word used
by Senator Burke. He added that
there apparently were two purposes
OF the President in sending the let
ter. One was to prevent a further
disintegration of the administration
forces which have been supporting the
court bill. The other was to help
Senator Barkley in his race for the
Democratic leadership. With Senator
Robinson's funeral taking place today,
the opposition maintained that the
Presidents letter was in bad taste.
Burke said that probably the visit
OF the four flrst-term Democratic Sen
ators to the White House yesterday,
who are believed to have informed the
President they would support mo-
ton to recommit the court bill, had
been influential in bringing forth Mr..
Roosevelt's letter. He added that he
believed a principal reason for the
letter, addressed as it was to Barkley,
as acting leader, was to aid the Ken
tuckian.
While the President may have
helped Barkley, he also may have in
jured him, 1t was said. Considerable
resentment was expressed by some of
the Democrats that the President
should have entered into this contest.
Many opponents of the court bill
declined to comment on the letter to
Barkley. However, it is expected that
1t will be the subject of spirited debate
in the Senate next week.
Senator McNary of Oregon, the Re-
publican leader, made only brief COM
ment on the letter.
The only politics that has been
played since the death OF Senator
Robinson has been played by the
President himself"
Mourning Period Declared Observed.
Opponents of the court bill main
tanned that they had observed the
period of mourning" referred to by
the Chief Executive They said
further that they had made no effort
In the Senate itself to take any steps
affecting the legislative situation and
the court bill.
The Presidents letter, it was pointed
out, did not declare specifically that
the original court bill or even the
compromise court bill presented by
Senator Robinson on July must be
passed. The letter said: ITO abandon
any reform of the judicial processes
at this session OF the Congress means
an abandonment Of the objectives."
And finally the letter said; Il believe
that it is the duty Of the Congress, and
especially Of the members of the
majority party in the Senate and the
House Of Representatives, to pass
legislation at this session to carry out
the objectives."
Some of the opponents say admin
istration forces are already at work
to obtain some other compromise, II
they cannot get the Robinson-Logan-
Hatch substitute.
1t was also pointed out by some that
Mr.. Roosevelt had not only sent the
letter to Barkley as leader, but had
a White House conference later and
Barkley's chief opponent for the lead
ership, Senator Harrison, was not
present.
The Presidents letter and his con-
ference with Barkley followed a meet
Ing Of the IA Democratic Senators,
elected last November for the first
time, when they decided to support
the candidate the President desired
for leader.
Senator Herring of Iowa, who acted
as spokesman for the group of fresh
men Senators, said a majority of the
group favored Barkley in any event,
since they regarded him as a liberal.
He added that the group had agreed
unanimously to support the Presi-
dents choice for leader. One of
those attending the meeting. Pepper
OF Florida, was said to favor Harrison.
But Herring indicated Pepper would
go along with the others in the group.
Most of the Democrats opposing
the court bill are expected to vote for
Harrison. Gillette of Iowa, a mem
Der Of the freshmen group and also
an opponent Of the court bill, said he
would vote for the leader the Presi-
dent wanted.
Il think he Is entitled to q floor
leader in sympathy with his program" !"
said Gillette.
Whether the opponents Of the court
bill will move to recommit the bill to
the Judiciary Committe, there to die.
or whether they will decide the better
plan Is to 60 right ahead with the
debate and fight the bill to q finish on
the door, will be determined, Burke
said, after the Robinson funeral, and
not until next Tuesday.
I'VE are opposed to any legislation
which tampers with the Supreme
Court" he said. He indicated other
court reform legislation might be given
consideration and passed.
The conference At the White House,
at which Barkley was present but not