Evening star., 1937-08-27
THE POLITICAL
BY G.. GOULD LINCOLN.

unconvinced that his proposal to increase
the membership Of the Supreme Court
Is wrong or that a very large group OF
the American people are against it. He
has indicated, in a statement accom-
panying his signature of the court bill
which passed the Congress and which
did not mention the membership of the
Supreme Court, that he plans to 60 RICH.
ahead with his attempt to tinker with
the highest court. 1t is difficult, some-
times, for Presidents to realize that they
may be mistaken.
~ II
One thing appears certain. The op-
ponents OF the Presidents court packing
plan, who brought about the defeat Of
his bill in the Senate at the session of
Congress now closed, are perfectly will
Ing to lift the gauntlet hurled at them by
the President. Indeed, already a num-
ber OF the anti-court bill Senators have
expressed themselves on the subject.
Just what the President thinks he may
obtain by renewal of this fight is un-
certain. Before the final showdown
came on the Presidents original court
bill, the Chief Executive had been forced
into the virtual acceptance of the Rob-
inson- Hatch hMcGill-Logan compromise.
Is 1t some kind of a compromise-per-
haps like the Robinson ct al compro-
mise-Which he hopes for, or is it for
the original plan which would have
enabled the President to appoint maxi
mum OF six new and additional justices
OF the highest court?
The Democratic leaders in the SEN
nate-and particularly the Vice Presi-
hot
was allowed to continue to the bitter
end there would be irreparable injury
TO the Democratic unity. They told the
president SO quite frankly. And in the
end the Vice President stepped in and
engineered the retreat from Moscow"
The announcement Of the Presidents
intention Of renewing the night to in
crease the membership of the Supreme
Court will be received by them with mis-
glVlngs. The contest in the session Just
closed prevented action on other impor-
tant parts OF the administrations pro.
gram II and when it is renewed in the
Senate, 1t may have the same effect.
The President may insist upon taking
the Supreme Court issue into the next
congressional campaign. II he does. he
will not hurt the feelings OF many of his
opponents, certainly not those Of the
Republicans This congressional cleo
ton, coming in the middle OF the Presi-
dents second term OF ONCE, may be
crucial Such an election was crucial in
the second term of the late President
woodrow Wilson. In 1918, President
Wilson had been cunning for a number
OF Democratic Senators who did not see
eye to eye with him. He also permitted
demand to go forth that only Demo-
Gratis be elected, to uphold his hand in
winning the war and in making the
peace that was to come. The result was
material gains by the opposition. His
tory has a way Of repeating itself.
~ +4
Now that Congress has gone from
Washington the chairmen of the Demo-
cratic and Republican National Com
m1ttees are becoming more vocal Chair
man Farley of the Democratic commit
tee Is convinced. or says he is, that to
talk Of Republican gains in the congress
sional elections next year is silly"
Chairman Hamilton, on the other hand,
Is looking forward to just such gains
by his party. 1t all sounds perfectly nat
ural. Mr.. Farley continues to insist
there will be no efforts by the admins
tration at reprisals against Democratic
Senators and members of the House who
helped to hamstring the Presidents court
bill and to delay action on other impor-
tant measures advocated by the Presi-
dent. But what Senator Gufey of
Pennsylvania had to say with reference
to the need OF defeating Senator OMa-
honey and other Democratic members
OF the Upper House has different sound
When Mr.. Guf1ey's comments are added
to the comments made by the President
himself, 1t looks very much as though
the administration is intent upon rele-
eating some OF these Democrats to the
discard.
Already discussion of possible nominees
for the presidency by the Democratic
party IS developing. Senator Min
ton OF Indiana. fierce supporter of Presi-
dent Roosevelt, has thrown the hat Of
former Gov. Paul v. McNutt of the
Hoosier State into the ring Minton de-
clared, in so doing, that he was con-
vinced President Roosevelt would not be
a candidate for third term. There are
q lot of Democrats-and New Dealers
who do not feel so positive about that.
Indeed. when Chairman Farley OF the
Democratic National Committee was
asked on Wednesday whether the Presi-
dent would stand for reelection, he said
he did not know what the President
would do, that he had not discussed the
matter with him. Perhaps the real dark
horse candidate for 1910 may be found
in the White House.
\
McNutt is now the representative of
the United States in the Philippine
Islands. It was reported months ago
that he would very much have preferred
to become a member of the Presidents
cabinet, as Secretary of War. He did not
get the place, however, and finally went
to the islands. While he was Governor
Of Indiana McNutt built himself up a
strong organization in the State. He was
able to say who should be nominated
to succeed him-Gov Townsend. There
have been reports that Townsend in
sists upon being his own man and that
McNutt might have 4 more difficult time
trying to dominate Democratic politics
In Indiana If he returned to this coun-
try. He was the subject of q good deal
Of laughter when he became involved in
controversy in the islands over who
should be toasted first-himself or the
new President OF the Philippines That
Is the kind Of thing that ruins politicians.
There are other Democratic Governors
who may not take the McNutt ''nomina-
ton" lying down. For example, there is
Gov Earla of pennzvlvania Earle has