Evening star., 1937-03-02
LOGAN TO SUPPORT
COURT PROPOSAL,
He TELLS SENATE
Judiciary Group Member
Sees Presidents Plan as
Conservative Move.
REORGANIZATION FOES
MAP DEFINITE GROUP
House Democrats Opposing Ex-
pansion of Tribunal Seek
Additional Recruits.
BY the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
Senator Logan, Democrat, of Ken
lucky told the Senate today he would
support President RooSevelt's court re-
organization plan to "perpetuate de-
mocracy and save the Constitution and
the court"
Logan, former judge, is member
Of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
where President Roosevelt must mus
ter every possible vote to obtain IA
vorable action on his proposal.
In his first expression on the issue
Logan explained his decision to the
Senate in a lengthy speech, in which
he confessed his first impulse was TO
oppose the Chief Executives proposal
for increasing the size of the Supreme
Court unless Older members retired.
Il have never posed as a prophet"
Logan said. but the United States of
America cannot live unless We can find
some way to enact such laws as will
bring protection. peace and happiness
to all the people of the Nation.
Cannot Find Better Way.
II have considered the matter as
carefully as my limited knowledge will
allow me TO and I cannot find a bet
ter way than that which has been sug-
geSted by the President"
Logan urged the Presidents plan as
a conservative way to save the Con-
stitution and the court. He said he
found the proponents of a constitu-
tional amendment. instead of the Pres.
ident's plan. included extreme lib
erals" who wanted to make radical
changes.
Conservatives. Logan contended.
we're aiding these liberals, who would
make radical changes in the Constitu-
ton" by blocking the Presidents plan.
Events in Europe Cited.
Democracy will die" he said, 'if We
fail to find some way to guide it over
the storm and stress of the present
period We have seen what has hap
pened to democracies in Europe be-
cause the governments could not be
made responsive to the will Of the
people"
Congressman opposed to the admin
istration's court program, who have
been only loosely united. switched
their tactics meanwhile and decided
to set up formal campaign organiza-
tions.
A group of House Democrats ar
ranged to appoint steering commit
tee to seek recruits among the many
non n-committal members
In the Senate recognized leaders
! are to be chosen. it was learned. IN
| the place of a half dozen members
who have been outlining the attack
informally.
Other Developments.
Other developments in the court
battle:
l. Harry L. Hopkins. W. P A. ad-
| ministrator, declared two or three
elderly judges" could block social
! legislation unless the Supreme
Courts complexion is changed.
2. Senator Clark, Democrat, of
Missouri, denied the 1886 election
gave President Roosevelt man
date for his court program.
8. The President signed into law
the Summers bill authorizing VOL
untary retirement of Supreme
Court justices at 10 on full pay.
4. Senator Vandenberg Of Mich
igan, one of the Republican leaders
who have been holding their fire,
will deliver a radio address tonight.
The approach of Senate committee
hearings next week was aScrlbed by
some opponents as one reason for
more closely knit organization.
Democratic Representatives fighting
the Presidents program met last
night to discuss strategy. Some de-
clared at least 80 Democrats were
lined up, but that only about half
that number attended the meeting.
Hopkins Delivers Address.
Hopkins delivered a radio address
during the evening and was followed
promptly to the microphone by Sen
ator Clark.
"It is a plain fact at the present
time" Hopkins declared. that unless
the complexion of the Supreme Court
can be changed two or three elderly
judges living in cloistered seclusion
and thinking in terms of bygone day
can block nearly all efforts of popu-
larly-elected President and popu-
1see JUDICIARY, Page A-4D