Evening star., 1937-06-14
WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.

During the first trial of c. I. O.
Flint last Winter-President Roosevelt
declined to indulge in public comment
on the conflict. He pleaded that this
is no time for statements and headlines" ,"
although later he had bit to say
about Alfred P. Sloan's refusal to treat
with the labor people. The original re-
mark wes evoked by a press conference
question about John l.. Lewis suggestion
that as c. I. O. had valiantly supported
F. D. R. for reelection, 1t had right
to expect his aid and comfort in its own
great contest. The President has evi
IDENTIFY decided that today is also not the
moment for any executive outgivings
which might possibly aggravate an al
ready embittered situation. Reportorial
attempts to eXtOrt some word from Mr..
Roosevelt apropos recent events in Mich
igan proved fruitless. Although plenty
of hints have reached the White House
that the hour was never more ripe for
some executive demonstration, no matter
how informal, on behalf of law and
order, the President appears determined
to maintain his policy of silence. Despite
his warm sympathy for the cause of
workers in general, no one doubts that
Mr.. Roosevelt would clear for action in
the name of the public welfare should
conditions become truly grave. Plenty
of people think exactly such an emer-
gency has already arisen and that the
time for Mr. Roosevelt to act, in his
own favorite idiom, is now!
Unpredctable is the only word that
accurately describes the Supreme Court
situation, now that the Presidents bill
is before the Senate in the form of an
adverse report from the judiciary COM
mittee Any number of things can hap
pen. The measure may be allowed to
sleep indefinitely on the calendar until
the unfinished business stage, which
would bring it up in routine order.
Meantime, it's possible for any member,
either proponent or opponent, to move
to take the bill from the calendar and
debate it. Compromise amendments
may be the next phase. Administration
Leader Robinson has stated that he
himself might present an amendment.
Probably it's up to the President to de-
termine Just what, if anything, is to be
done, though the opposition is in posi-
ton to force his hand. He's believed
finally to have become persuaded that
the Jig is up as far as his original six
Justice scheme is concerned,> and that
even two justices are no longer assured
of approval, as they seemed to be earlier
in the fray.
Vice President Gamers decision to
light out for his favorite home fishing
grounds is a pretty clear indication that
no immediate action on the court bill
is in the cards. Although the Texan
holds himself in readiness to return at
the drop of the sombrero, the moment
his presence is demanded, it's hardly
likely he would choose to hike for
Uvalde if the court contest were about
to reach the crucial stage. Administra-
tionists have never banished the posi-
bility that it might be necessary for
Garner to break tie on the bill. The
pro and con lineup is still close enough
to make his vote vital. His departure
signals that there's no imminent ex-
pectation of his having to cast it. Key
Pittman, Democrat, of Nevada, Presi-
dent pro tenn. of the Senate, now takes
command on the rostrum.
John L. Lewis, G. I. O. potentate, was
invited to address the annual meeting