The daily independent., 1937-04-01
TRADE MARK

FDR Sure OF Winning Court
Reform; Farley's Private Esti-
mate Is Majority Of Six Votes
In Senate; Issue Will Drag On
Till July, But New Deal I'm
passe Is Licked; Sweeping So
cial Legislation Awaits Removal
OF Court Barriers.
Washington-Here is the Mer-
ry-Go-Round summary of what
will happen to the Presidents
proposals for reform of the Sup
rene Court.
TIME: It will be June before
the Senate comes to a final vote.
The current Judiciary Commit
tee hearings will last two weeks,
possibly longer. Then there will be
another two weeks of secret de-
liberations before a bill is report
ed to the Senate.
Debate on the Senate Floor will
last at least six weeks. 1t will start
slowly, increase in tempo and heat
but with no filibuSter-for Two
good reasons. First, a filibuSter is
effective only where there is a
time limit on a session. There is
no time limit here; this Congress
can continue until January 5, 1889.
Second. filibuStering tactics could
easily boomerang against the op-
position-a fact its leaders fully
realize.
After the Senate vote, there will
be two to four weeks of discussion
in the House.
Finally, after Senate and House
agree on bill, there will be debate
on the confirmation of new just
ices. Only the Senate passes on
appointees; and how long it will
take to obtain a Senate o. K, on
the proposed six young men will
depend entirely on whom Roose-
welt names.
If the list includes Donald R.
Richberg there will be protract-
ed fight. Labor is out to get him.
SENATE POLLS: Today, the
Administration has the numerical
lead in the Senate.
The Presidents bill has steadily
gained strength since his Victory
Dinner and fireside broadcastS,
and there is every indication of
continued strength. The opposi-
tons presentation before the Jud-
iciary Committee. while aStutely
stage-managed, has added no con-
VertS.
The oppcsition's own secret poll
lists 10 sure" votes and votes and
8 doubtful" 40 votes will be
necessary to defeat the PreSid-
dents). Of the 8 doubtful. oppoSi-
ton leaders admit privately they
expect to get only two.
On the other hand the confid-
ential check list of the Admins
tration gives the opposition only
II certain Republicans plus 26
Democrats. Total: 40. On the
other hand. New Dealers calculate
as sure for Roosevelt: SIS. Final
total they predict is 60. Farley's
private estimate is a majority Of
votes.
These secret polls are important
as strawS showing the current be-
hind the scenes trend. But they are
not conclusive. The big struggle
is not over.
FINAL OUTCOME: Roosevelt
seems sure Of getting virtually
what he wants. 1t may not be the
bill he is now demanding, but the
notifications will give no JOY to
the opposition. He will be able TO
put what legislation he wants
through the Supreme Court and
that is the main thing he is after.
So far Roosevelt has stood pat,
stubbornly refused to consider any
compromise. However, he has
cautioned lieutenantS to tread
softly and to leave no wounds that
can't be healed. The President
does not want to split the Demo-
cratic Party if he can help 1t.
What he chiefly wants is to find
a way for Senators who are with
him on most things to climb back
off the Supreme Court limb.
AFTERMATH: Following dis
posal of the court issue will come
the real work of the session. The
Administration plans to follow the
court bill with a barrage of i'm
portant farm. labor and social
welfare measures. Behind much OF
the opposition to Roosevelt's court