The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-07-14
Noted Democratic Leader Dies Suddenly
Democratic Leader
 Dies In Bathroom
tcOntinusd from Page D

NGUntAl1eo scene has diminished chances 0i kAinming the court bill through ( reluctant congress.
 Prospective Leaders
 Sen. Aibon w. Barkley, D. Ky, the assistant leader, is the candidate of these Gemocrats who insist that Mir Roosevelt shali be authorized to ex- pand the court. Sen. Pat Harrison D, Ky. and Sen. James r. Byrnes, O., c. C., are contenders less sym pathetic than Darkley with court TO. Organization. Of late they have been ln far from complete agreement with Mfr. Roosevelt's spending, labor and Judiciary policies.
 The showdown will como in party caucus where the 70 senate demo- crats will ballot to determine wheth- CT they shali be led during the re- iiaAinder of the second Roosevelt ad- ilainistration by . senator committed to unqualified acceptance of White House policies or by 6 man of crit- teal if friendly attitude. None of them would precisely At the pattern of the leader who is gone,
 stormy Weather skipper
 Big, broad and hot blooded, Rob- lrson was Q stormy weather skipper His fists flew on occasion, not only in debate but in violent assertion of his rights. The capitals swank Chevy Chase club will not soon for. eet the fairway fracas in which the senator supported his interpretation of the rules of golf with @ round- house right worthy of e Schmeling. Robinson resigned from the club aft. er that incident and 1t remained an unpleasant memory through the years.
 But he found comfort in the ad- Xnifation and respect of his col- leagues. best exampled last month when the senate spoke almost as 6 single voice to demand that the Democratic leader be named to the newly created vacancy on the su- preine court.
 That was Robinson's ambition tc sit on the high bench and review the law.
 Background Was Law
 His background was of the law but overlaid with politics. It was as both politician and lawyer that he undertook in 1883 to maneuver through a continually surprised and sometimes almost numbed senate the AAries of legislation which Is de- scribed now as the first New Deal. yfis success was extraordinary. Bills kaIne in amending succession from hhe Roosevelt brain trust in the of- fices of down town Washington. Robinson consulted often, sometimes denasarred. But when the White Mouse policies finally were fixed, 1t vas upon the senate democratic leader that Mir. Roosevelt depended chiefly for action.
 The senator's death now Is 6 tre- IfAendous reverse to MT. Roosevelt's Judiciary plans. It came less than 2A hours after the White House learned that Chairman Hatton w. Summers of the house judiciary com zaittee had bolted. Summers prom ased to lock the presidents bill in his committee room and to defy any power but that of the house mem- berahip itself to bring 1t to the floor. That alone was sufficient to change ehe odds on court reorganization. Nobinson's death makes them long ef and against the New Deal.
 Curtailed Debate
 -Tt was Robinson who conceived and effected senate democratic tac- ties to curtail debate of men who oppose the presidents court plan. Vice President John N. Garner fled Co Texas as debate neared and Washington heard that the vice pres. Sdent was opposed to the strict ap. plication of senate rules which Rob- 1nson contemplated to limit talk. But the senate leader went through Beginning with the first day of debate last week, Robinson refused with 1t.
 e permit the senate to take its cus- toniary evening adjournment. In. stead, he moved each day that the senate recess and by that maneuvers 10 made applicable to oratoricaily Inclined members a long disused rule which would forbid them to speak more than twice on the court blli or any amendment pertaining fb it.
 Opponents Bitter
 Reorganization opponents were Bitter and there was ironical refer eiace as talk progressed to "the lead- er" whom many were then deserting. But the true irony lie stoday in the fact that Robinsong death has ere. ated the situation which will give all senator's Q new lease on talk. The senate will adjourn today in respect to Robinson's memory. And with adoption of the motion that the