Carbon County news., 1937-03-19
al Topics Interpreted

q. y
3I=aa. H. ..-& true because in
every political battle one can note
unusual combinations, odd types
working together, personal enemies
/ fighting side by side--in truth, bed
fellows fol the time being.
Never has the truth of this old
adage been better demonstrated,
however, than in the current politi-
cal fight that was precipitated by
President Roosevelt's demand that
congress pass a law which will al
low the Chief Executive to add six
new members to the Supreme court
of the United States. The real con-
gressional fight on the Presidents
bold move has not yet gained full
headway. But time enough has
elapsed since Mr.. Roosevelt offered
his history-making demand for
power to add enough judges to the
Supreme court, judges of his own
selection, to give him a majority,
that those close to the congressional
scene are now in a position to pre-
dict probably the most heated con-
troversy since the days Immediately
preceding the Civil war.
Already, it can be stated, one can
see senators and representatives
who are known for their liberal
views standing side by side with
hard-boiled conservatives in opposi-
ton to the Presidents plan, which
they describe as a move '.to pack
the Supreme court" Likewise one
can see conservative Democrats
from the old South following Presi-
dent Roosevelt and joining hands
secretively with the widest radicals
in the senate. One will see Demo-
Gratis and conservative Republicans
in earnest conversation planning
ways and means to halt the Presi-
dents drive for control of the court
and at the same time one can see
radical Republicans planning with
Democrats in support Of the pro-
grarn-strange4 bedfellows, every
one. ~- !. ,--~~~.- .....-
While this condition is interesting,
it is by far less striking as ] watch
the proceedings than the extreme
bitterness that is now developing.
While, as said, the controversy is
hardly under way, there is even
now. personal aninosity evident in !
the senate to a degree that I never 1
have seen before. I had the privi-
lege of observing the famous 4
League of Nations fight at close
range. There was personal bitter
ness in that senate battle. Old /
friendships were crushed and close
relationships torn asunder. Yet, !
think that the current controversy
is likely to cause the League of Ma
tions bitterness to pale into insig-
nifcance. In other words, there lies
ahead for the congress a raging fire
that is bound to destroy political
lives and political ambitions. Which |
lives and which ambitions depend, !
think, upon the answer which the
country's citizens give to the now
direct question:
Are we to have a system Of courts |
and judges, independent and free Of /
politics, or are we to have puppets |
that will do the bidding of political |
masters?
said above that the result of the
Supreme court battle in congress
will be deter
Up TO the mined by the atti-
People tude of the coun-
try. It is vital that
he citizens realize this fact. Since
President Roosevelt made no men,
ion during the campaign for re- |
election in 1886 Of plans to reform
he Supreme court. there has been
10 public expression on the subject.
There will not be another opportu-
lity for the voters to express their
'iews Until November, 1888. The
'nly way, then, open to those who
want to express an opinion for or
lgainst the court change is by send
ng their views to their congress-
nen and senators. Conversations
hat I have had with members of
he house and the senate conyinces
ne that the representatives and
enators will appreciate word as to
low their constituents feel.
Further evidence of the desire of
and senators to know
he feelings of the voters is given in
he tremendous propaganda that is
DING on. Friends and foes Of the
upreme court reform program are
n the air nightly; scarcely a day
oes by that some senator and usu-
lily several of them and numerous
participate in debate
r issue statements concerning the f.
reat controversy, and from the tre-
1endous source of propaganda sup
ly at the command of the Presi- i
ent come countless statements and b
lterVieWs and radio speeches prais.
lg the Presidents plan. Even the /
resident himself has made one of 7.
is famous "fireside chats telling III
Thy he should be given the new
over. ...-..~ ~ ~ FL
III