Evening star., 1937-07-19

Curiosity is widespread as to the source
of the advice on which President Roose-
welt acted in sending his amazing letter
to Senator Barklev on the Supreme
Court bill. Unless the totally unexpected
comes to pass, the dear Alben' billet
doux is destined to prove a bull of fatal
magnitude for the future of the majority
party. 1t is so packed with the dynamite
of discord that the Capitol is convinced
no Democrat worthy of the name had
the Presidents ear. Opinion is general
that he Succumbed to the siren song of
some Starry-eyed New Dealer consumed
by hell-bent passion for reform rather
than any concern for the welfare of the
political organization of which Mr..
Roosevelt is the head That the tone
and contents Of the Barkley letter-espe-
cially its gratuitous thrust at court oppo-
nents' lack of decent respect for Joe
RobnSonS memory-haVe split the
Democrats from stem to stern is beyond
question Nor does anybody doubt that
F. D. r. has blasted any remaining pros
pect of judiciary legislation on his lines.
Dictatorship talk IS revived. In remind
ing Congress of its duty" to enact
court bill without delay, the President
takes step which strikes members Of
both House and Senate as demand for
legislative subServiency, which is not only
intolerable in itself but more imperious
than anything the Roosevelt era has so
far produced.
1t would be instructive to learn the
mathematical basis for the Presidents
suggestion that "the overwhelming ma
lority Of the people in this country" is in
accord with the "objectives" for which
he insists upon immediate congressional
approval. No such popular sanction is
reflected by the yawning division of
Senate sentiment, while late events re-
veal opposition hardly less extensive in
the House. Newspaper and magazine
polls have consistently disclosed minority
public support for the bill. Bar Associa-
tions, church leaders, State legislatures
and civic organizations have gone on
record against it. With rare exceptions,
no newspaper of national prominence, or
any important chain Of papers, favors
the Presidents scheme. The most dew
astating refutation of the claim of "over-
whelming" support is the avalanche of
protests that has descended upon men,
bers OF Congress in letters from the folks
back home These are estimated to
average about 10 to against the Roose-
veltian proposition.
Should Senator Harrison inherit the
leadership, therell be no lack of pre-
cedents If he elects to retain the power
full finance committee Craftsmanship.
Henry Cabot Lodge remained chairman
OF foreign relations while serving as
majority leader, and Charley Curtis hung
onto the rules Craftsmanship under
similar circumstances. The District of
Columbia has lively interest in the way
Senate committee chairmanships may be
affected by Harrisons selection as ma
jority leader. II he renounces the
finance Craftsmanship, King of Utah
would advance to that place and pre-
sumably relinquish the District affairs
Craftsmanship. Next in line to King on
the District Of Columbia committee are
Glass Of Virginia, Copeland of New York
and Tydings of Maryland.
Alben Barkley and Pat Harrison,
chief contenders for the Senate leader
ship, are Democrats of notably different
types, though they share in common the
blood Of Dixie. The Kentuckian, who
enters the lists with earmarks Of White
House backing, is a sonorous and some
what solemn spellbinder of the old
school, though husky, broad-shoul-
dered fighter who employs two-fisted
methods Of attack and defense, seasoned
with . dash Of judiciak temperament