The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-09-20


 The President never asked Black whether he was . .I1Aem-
 Der of the Klan. 1t never Oc- cured to him. Furthermore the Black appointment never came up In cabinet meeting.
 However, Roosevelt feels that the new justice should have told him about this connection. and Is, definitely irked at Black for not doing so. His irritation is due not so much to Black being a member of the Klan, but to the fact that the appointment now puts him in a hole on his entire Supreme Court fight. All RooSevelt's oppu- nents have to do now when he brings up reform of the judiciary is to taunt: "What do you want to do, put another Kluxer on the Court?"
 RooSevelt's statement that he hadn't. heard from Black was chiefly calculated to stall for time. He will wait and see what further develops-both with Black and himself, and with public opinion at home.
 Blacks Record
 It is one of the secrets of the Black family that his wife, Jose- phine, never like his Ku Klux Klan connections, and frequently told him so. e5.I
 However, Blacks colleagues admit that during his long term as senator his record was liberal toward Jews, Catholics. and Negroes except in regard to the anti-lynching bill.
 Senator Borah, who voted against Blacks confirmation, says that he sat with him on com- mittee. when Black went out of his way to insert in the wage and hour bill amendments for the protection of Negroes.
 In fact, it was Blacks cham pionship of civil liberties which caused his present exposure. For it was members of the Klan itself, now anti-labor, who knifed him by turning over their records to newspapermen. Most of the Ala barna letters against Black re. ceived by senators were written by Klansmen.
 Incidentally, the KIan when Black belonged to it was anti Alabama Power company. That was one of the big issues. Now 1t has reversed itself.
 NOTE v The Klansman who gave two of the most damaging documents to newspapermen got intoxicated a few days ago, fell on railroad track and was cut to pieces.
 Acid Tongue Ickes
 When New Deal Secretary 1ckes was visiting Old Deal Bar Harbor. Maine, luxurious resort of economic. r0yaliStS," he was ir- vited to attend luncheon of the Pot and Kettle Club.
 1ckes knew that the club was made up of bankers, stockholders, and investment attorneys whose New Deal illwill ran so high that at 1886 meeting they broke their timehonored toaSting gaveetaoinn time-honored custom of toasting the president, and toasted the Constitution instead. ....e.
 1ckeS went to the luncheon. When called on for "a few re- marks" he rose to his feet and said:
 "I am glad to come here to the luncheon of your Pot and Kettle Club. We also have a Pot and Kettle situation In Wash- ington. The kettle called the pot a dictator. and the pot called the kettle Black"
 Special Session
 The president still is talking special session. At the cabinet meeting last Tuesday, the first in weeks, he was as strong for bringing Congress back in Novem- Der as he was a month ago when 1t adjourned.
 In fact, he had an added argu- ment-the delicacy Of the Far Eastern and Mediterranean situa- tions. He expressed the view that with the foreign crises so ominous it might be desirable to have con- gress on hand.
 The cabinet divided on the ques- ton.
 Uncle Dan" Roper, always un- easy when congress is around. opposed a special session. Attor- ney General Cummings also shook his head. But Secretary Wallace, who has finally become steamed up for new crop control bill and wants to start the ball roll. ing, strongly supported the presi- dents opinion. FDR To Sound Public
 While personally favoring . special session, the president indi- cated he will withhold decision until he feels out public opinion on his transcontinental trip.
 If he gets q favorable reac- ton, congress will be called back despite adverse cabinet ad- vice and the opposition of con- n wAvN y-sgvwA w~va~NnN