The Washington times., 1937-02-20
BLOC BATTLING
PLAN HEADED
BY WHEELER
La Toilette Supports
1t as Lawful Way to
Social Reform
BY WILLIAM X. HUTCHINSON
International News Service

President RooSevelt'S proposal TO
enlarge the Supreme Court, after
shattering the ranks of his over
whelming Democratic majorities
in Congress, today provoked a wide
open split within the ranks of lib
erals of all political affiliations.
Senator Wheeler Cd, of Mon
tana, close friend of the President
and running-mate Of the elder La
Toilette in 1924 on a progressive
ticket, emerged as leader of one
liberal faction opposing the preSi-
Dental plan.
President Calls Leaders
Continuing his personal canvass
Of the Senate, President Roosevelt
called in two groups Of Senate
leaders for conferences late this
afternoon.
He will meet in the White House
study at 5 D. m. with Administra-
ton leaders of the Upper House.
An hour later, he has requested
progressive Senators to consult
with him.
Active support of the American
Farm Bureau Federation in his
fight to realign the Supreme Court
will be sought by the President
Monday, it was learned at the
White House. Accompanied by
Secretary Of Agriculture Wallace,
Ed O'Neal, president Of the Farm
Bureau Federation, will lead a
group to the Executive Offices.
Wheeler denounced the plan IN
q radio address last night as an ef-
fort to intimidate the judiciary and
"pack" the Supreme Court. He
called on all liberals to oppose the
program. He will be joined over
the weekend by Senator Gerald
P. Nye (R.) of North Dakota, head
of the Senate munitions inquiry.
who urges liberals of all parties to
oppose the plan.
Senator Robert M. La Toilette,
jr. (P.O of Wisconsin, headed a
Progressive movement in support
of the Presidents program. He
called it a shortcut, lawful and
constitutional, to social reforms
advocated by all ProgresSives. In
this, he was Joined by Wisconsin
ProgreSsives and Minnesota Farm
Laborites of the House.
Congressional independents, re-
gardless of party, meanwhile ap-
peared to be drifting into the op-
position camp. In the Senate,
rumor prevailed that Senator
Royal S. Copeland, of New York,
Independent Democrat, would con-
denim the Presidents proposal
over the weekend.
Guyer DenOunces Plan
In the House, Representative
u. S. Guyer, of Kansas, Independ.
ent Republican and farm bloc
leader, charged the President
sought to mould Supreme Court
decisions by packing the court
with his political henchmer. :"
Guyer denounced the plan as a
"brazen assault upon the Supreme
Court, its integrity and its indie
pendence."
There appeared little likelihood
Of early action on the Presidents
program. House leaders were
awaiting Senate action and Sen
ate leaders we're awaiting popular
reaction. There was agreement,
however, on prompt Senate dis
position of the House bill authoriz-
ing Supreme Court justices to re-
tire at the age of 10. 1t appeared
that even administrations leaders
hoped enactment of this bill would
temper the Presidents desire to
enlarge the high court.
Meanwhile, Senator Ashurst
Cd, Of Arizona, chairman of the
Judiciary Committee, anticipated
Wheeler'S attack and defended the
presidential program in the Sen
ate. He declared there was moth
ing new, unlawful or unconStitu-
tional about the plan, claiming it's
enactment was necessary to get
prompt and favorable action on
social reforms.
Wheeler, however, assailed it
as fundamentally unSound, NOR.
ally wrong and an attempt to
set up a dictatorship" He warned
progressives, laborerS and farm
ers that "every despot has usurped
the power of the legislative and
judicial branches of the Govern
ment in the name Of the neces-
sity for haste to promote the gen.
eral welfare of the masses and
then proceeded to reduce them to