Evening star., 1937-05-03

possible compromise in the Senate Ju-
dietary Committee today
Senator Hatch OF New Mexico ex-
planned in detail to the committee the
operation Of the proposed amendment.
He said later that he had had "a very
gratifying response from the commit
tee although there had been no at
tempt to sound out the individual
members during the meeting
Senator Burke Of Nebraska, leader
OF the opposition to the Presidents
program for maximum increase Of six
members Of the Supreme Court, COM
menting on the Hatch amendment,
said:
IT the proponents Of the Presi-
dents bill would agree to throw the
bill, as 1t now stands, aside, I believe
that the amendment suggested by Sen
ator Hatch would have a real chance
for favorable consideration"
Logan Suggests Vote.
A suggestion that the committee
vote first on the bill in its original
form and then give consideration to
the amendment was advanced by
Senator Logan Of Kentucky, who has
been regarded as a supporter Of the
Presidents program.
1t was pointed out by several Of the
committee members, including SEN
ators Hatch and Burke, that the COM
mittee is entirely ready to vote without
further delay on the bill as it stands
The lineup at present seems to be
clearly adverse to the Presidents bill
with 10 Senators aligned against it
and 8 for it,
The plan would be, if the first vote
is taken on the original bill. To hold
the measure in committee and then
vote on the various amendments suR-
gested, including those offered by
Senators Hatch, McCarran of Nevada
Norris OF Nebraska and McGill of
Kansas.
There was also some discussion of
taking vote on the bill without wait
ing until May 1s, the day fixed by a
unanimous consent agreement for
voting on the bill and all amend
ments. 1t would take another unani-
nous consent agreement, however, to
take an earlier vote. No such vote is
likely during the present week, for the
committee plans to meet only tomor-
row and Wednesday and then 70 over
until the following week. Senator
Burke is leaving the city to 60 to Wis
consin the latter part of this week.
Carries Out Presidents Idea.
Senator Hatch said that his first
amendment, providing for flexibility
In the size Of the Supreme Court,
carried out the thought contained in
the Presidents message to Congress
asking for general infusion of new
blood into the Supreme Court"
His amendment. he said, would
really provide for permanent court
OF nine justices, although it author
ICES the appointment of an additional
justice II one of the sitting members
over 10 years Of age failed to retire.
IT there were such justices who
AoAS0 " 1CtHS, lllc COulL NOulu De
increased to Is. However, where there
was death or retirement from the
bench, the place would not be filled
and so the court might come back to
nine
The second amendment would limit
the power Of the President to one
appointment year of an additional
justice because of age. In other words,
If the Hatch amendment were adopted,
President Roosevelt would be able to
appoint only one additional justice to
the Supreme Court this year. instead
OF the six whom he would be author
lied to appoint under his bill. In the
event OF a death, such vacancy could
be filled during the same year, Sem
ator Hatch said.
Senator King of Utah, who is
strongly opposed to the President S
court program. said on leaving the
committee meeting: The plan to in
crease the court by six justices is as
dead as Hector, so far. as the commit
tee is concerned
The Utah Senator said that he
would be glad to see the bill killed in
the committee. There has been some
discussion as to whether such a course
might not be attempted. However. a
number Of the opponents of the bill
believe that 1t should not be bottled
up IN committee, but should be
brought to the floor of the Senate and
there killed.