Evening star., 1937-03-13
THREE DEMOCRATS.
SCORE COURT PLAN.
Senators Burke, Copeland
and Walsh on Radio
From New York.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
NEW YORK, March 13.-In
speeches described as an answer to
President RooseYelt's "flreside chat"
on his court proposal, three Demo-
cratic Senators last night assailed the
plan as dangerous and unnecessary
move.
The speakers were Senators Edward
r. Burke of Nebraska, Royal S. Cope
land of New York and David l. Walsh
Of Massachusetts. Speaking at mass
meeting in Carnegie Hall, they ad-
dressed the Nation over a coast-to-
coast broadcast
Senator Walter F. George of Geor-
gia was originally scheduled to speak
but could not be present.
Senator Copeland charged the Pres
ident's plan would menace American
minorities" by making the Supreme
Court "a political institution
Aim to Nullify Decisions.
Everybody knows this scheme is
for the purpose of nullifying recent
decisions Of the Supreme Court" he
declared. But II it succeeds 1t will
make the Supreme Court a political
institution, not court of justice.
If one Congress can do what is
proposed, another Congress can add
six more justices and for the same
purpose, that is to change the inter-
probation of the Constitution. What
protection would there be for anybody
in America if this sort of thing should
go on"
He said the only proper way to pro-
vide for social legislation not possible
at present is by constitutional amend
ment.
Senator Burke charged the Pres-
dents proposal strikes a vital blow"
at States rights, division of power into
three departments, limitation of power
and an independent judiciary, which
he described as -four of the concepts
which liberty loving Americans have
considered fundamental"
Quoting President Roosevelt's ac-
ceptance speech statement that this
generation of Americans has rem
devious with destiny" Burke declared.
Every thinking man and woman in
America today should realize that at
this very moment we do have rem
devious with destiny. 1t is no exag-
geration to say that constitutional de-
mocracy in America has rendezvous
with DEATH
He said the Presidents plan. Is es-
sentially that "if enough judges cannot
be Influenced, awed or coerced to
voluntarily leave the court, then
appoint new judge to sit alongside
the present member and nullify his
action"
Senator Walsh called the court pro-
posal ruthless sabotage of the peo-
pies rights" and "a thinly disguised
attempt to suspend the Constitution. 4"
Willing to Bow to Court
1T is alleged" he said, that those
who oppose this proposal are opposed
to progress opposed to human rights.
yield to no man in my desire to pro-
mote the national welfare: in my de-
votion to human rights: social better
ment and social security; to the sup
preston of economic piracy and the
enhancement of economic opportunity
Il have supported all of the meas
urs designed to effectuate these COM
mendable objectives, but when the
court has decreed an act of Congress
unconstitutional l am prepared to
accept the verdict OF the court and
submit to the people the question of
whether We shall amend the Con-
stitution to obtain these objectives.
He summed up the court issue as
follows:
The question is, shall we over
throw the Supreme Court, get rid of
six OF the nine justices by retirement,
II that can be engineered, and if that
fails, nullify them by enlarging the
court, but in either case giving to an
executive the opportunity and au-
thority to appoint en- bloc six new
judges for the avoWed purpose of con-
Vertlng the court into a complaint
adjunct Of Congress and the Execu-
tive"
Last nights meeting was sponsored
by the Citizens Supreme Court Pro-
tective Committee Of the Defenders,
Inc, which describes itself as "a ma
tional, non-partisan organization of
volunteers pledged to oppose forces
destructive to sound economics and
government"
ICKES ASSAILS COURT.
RALEIGH, N. c., March l3 (P).-