The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-03-16


 Keep Court Up to Times
 The labor leader said he had no desire to change the authority vest cd in the Supreme Court but merely to insure that the court be "kept abreast of modern needs"
 Green declared that:
 ]. The Supreme Court had lag- gcd In the application of new methods of approach and scientific data to social and economic prob- lems.
 ?. The court Is out of touch with the realities of current life." 3. Periodic appointment of new men to the Supreme Court would correct this situation.
 4. Labor "is quite willing to take its chance" with Supreme Court in- terreptation of legislation if the court is reconstructed with "men who come from close association with their fellow-rnen."
 Change Like Congress
 We want to apply to the court the same rule of periodic change that affects congress" Green said. Tt isn't that we want to change the authority or the power that is conferred on the Supreme Court.
 We think that with continuation of the rule of changing the Supreme Court personnel through the retire. ment bill you recently passed, we will not have a static court.
 "New men coming in, believe, will understand the application of our organic law to the social needs of the day. A new congress comes in every two years, and we want to apply tho same rule of new blood to the court"
 New Method of Approach
 Green called attention of the sen- ate committee to the new method of approach and the scientific data" which have in many instances brought the courts to a better ap- preciation of existing social needs and to clear conception of the necessity for readjusting old notions of individual freedom and individual control of private property"
 But" Green added, "T'he Ameri- can Federation of Labor notes that such technique has not had corre- spending results in the Supreme Court of the United States as evi- denced by the recent decisions, by bare majority of the court, cov- ering social and economic legisla- ton deemed necessary by the duly elected representatives of the people to bring this nation out of the depths of the depression.
 New Compromises
 l. A gradual increase in the court membership by probably two justices this year and by not more than one each following year until there were IS members.
 ?. The Norris plan for statute requiring ' to 2 decisions to in- validate acts of congress and for a constitutional amendment to limit the tenure of office of justices to 9 years. .
 They emerged from the heated congressional and nationwide con- troversy as William Green. president of the American Federation of La Dor, went before the senate judiciary committee to present the Fedora tion'S support of the presidents recommendations.
 A dozen prominent lawyers and educators were called by supporters of the administration program to carry forward the defense of the plan after the appearance of Green.
 Slowness of foes of the judiciary program in uniting congressional sentiment behind any one substitute constitutional amendment centered attention on the suggested gradual increase In membership.
 B0rah Interested
 Sen. William l.. Borah, r., Idaho, was understood to be interested in the proposal. It was emphasized that the idea, designed to avoid charges of packing" the tribunal, was merely at the discussion stage.
 Senate Majority Leader Joseph T. Robinson, d.. Ark. said that 1t was "by no means certain" that con- stitutional amendment proposals were ruled out of consideration.
 There is no inconsistency" Rob- inson said. "in the presidents pro- posal and in certain amendment that have been proposed. The presI- dents plan tx gaining ground stead- fly and believe will be passed by both houses during the present ses- sion.
 While Robinson did not comment on Sen. George W. Norris plan. his statement attracted particular In. tcrest iO the Nebraskan's pr0posals. Robinson Clears Point IsObins0n made it clear that he was not referring t0 a constitutional amendment as substitute. for the presidents program but the attitude 0f tho Administration was believed lsfSMfw Aa esaammmaa fS.AnmAak Al N*zs