Evening star., 1937-07-05
BALL GAME DELAYS
COURT BILL BATTLE
Robinson to Ask Wait Until
Thursday After Calling
Up Measure.
BACKGROUND

BACKGROUND
President Roosevelt on Februn-u
asked Congress to reorodnise Fed
erdl judiciary, the proposal center.
ing about increase OF Supreme
Court from . to IS members and
compulsory retirement OF justices
at 20.
After lengthy hearing, Senate
Judiciary Committee reported nd-
Derselp on bill Administration
leadership is nom backing compro-
mise plan, but foes Of nhole plan
are preparing TOR determined re-
sistdnce
BY the Associated Press
The hotly contested battle over re-
vamping The Supreme Court enters
its decisive phase this week after five
months of preliminary skirmishing
Majority Leader Robinson probably
will call up the Presidents judiciary
bill for Senate consideration late to-
morrow and Immediately ask adjourn
ment until Thursday. The Senate will
be in recess Wednesday because Of the
all-star base ball game here.
Administration leaders indicated
their first maneuver Thursday would
be to ask consideration of the COM
promise introduced by Senator Logan,
Democrat, OF Kentucky, as 4 substi-
tute for the Presidents original pro-
posal.
Logan's measure would authorize
appointment of one additional justice
each year to supplement members OF
the court who fail to retire at rs.
The original bill would have en-
powered the President to appoint five
new justices immediately-one for
each incumbent over 10.
Claims 81 Votes.
Logan said he was certain OF 81
votesa majority of 5-for the COM
promise. The same number, he added.
can be counted on to vote against
any effort to sidetrsck or amend the
new bill.
Senator Wheeler, Democrat, Of Mon
tana, veteran Of score of bitter par
liamentary battles, will lead the oppo-
sition. He insisted his supporters
could defeat the Presidents original
proposal and, if necessary, prevent in
definitely vote on any compromise
He announced he would not fight
the substitution of Logan's bill. nor
attempt to force test of strength
until Legitimate debate" has been
under way for at least two weeks.
Then. Wheeler indicated, he may
move to refer the measure to the
Judiciary Committee for study. Such
maneuver, if successful, would
pigeonhole the controversy at least
for the rest Of this session.
If these tactics fail, opposition
leaders said, they are prepared to
fllibuster for an unlimited period
| that is, to prevent vote on the Logan
bill by unending debate.
May Offer New Compromise.
Some Of the group said privately,
however they hoped to avoid pro-
longed filibuster by advancing new
compromise which might prove ac-
ceptable to both sides.
Specifically. they suggested that
the Logan measure be amended so it
would not affect present justices.
An administration supporter said
leaders are prepared to use any
parliamentary device necessary to in
sure the House a chance to vote on
any court bill passed by the Senate.
| If the House Judiciary Committee
| attempted to block action. he de-
clared, petition would be circulated
| to take the bill from the committee
and permit its immediate considera-
| ton in the House.
This spokesman, who declined to be
quoted by name. also said 4 drastic
gag" rule would be employed If
necessary to prevent amendment Of
the measure and to limit debate.