Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1937-04-13

dent never were advised of the bill
that now agitates the country"
He also opposed the assignment OF
judges from one circuit or district to
another.
so far as my district is concerned"
he said, Il desire that it should never
leagured by flying squadron Of
judges who, perhaps, under some con-
ditions, might properly be classified
as privateers."
Judge Knox told Senator Connally,
Democrat, of Texas, he had held the
N. R. A. constitutional in case in
volving cleaning company.
At another point, he denied the
Supreme Court acted improNdently in
refusing to review cases.
DIR. Bruce Hits Bill.
The bill also was opposed by DR. G.
M. Bruce, secretary of the Luther
Theological Seminary of ST. Paul,
MINI. Urging a constitutional amend
ment, he said:
Personally, I am not opposed to
the principle of a reasonable retiring
age for judges, and, for that matter,
I for all public officials, including cab
| met members I have consistently
| supported such move within my own
| profession, that of teaching. and I am
| slated for automatic retirement upon
attaining the age of 10 myself.
/ But any such changes in the
/ fundamental policy with respect to
the Supreme Court should not be done
by mere legislation at the behest Of
an ambitious Chief Executive, but
! by the normal way Of changing the
basic law of the land. Amending the
Constitution is not such a cumber
some matter as to make it prohibit
tive, nor is the change contemplated
in the present proposal pertaining to
| the Supreme Court so imperative that
the normal processes of constitutional
amendment should be substituted by
direct and high-handed action, with
all the dangers such action unques-
tionably involves
| AAhSSh SECS 4VlONC
Meanwhile, Senator Hatch, Demo
crat, of New Mexico, one of the non
committal members of the Judiciary
Committee, said he felt the Wagner
decisions would strengthen the court
bill in the Senate.
Asserting it would now be easier for
him TO support the bill, Hatch said:
The Supreme Court has already
definitely changed the trend of judi
cial opinion.
The chief desire of many who
have supported the Presidents plan
was the hope of obtaining more lib
eral Interpretation of the Constitution
and legislation.
That result already has been &C
complished by the decision Of the ST.
preme Court itself.
Congress can now discuss and con-
slider the Presidents proposal without
fear of changing the court to meet a
particular end or objective
1T removes the charge of packing
the court.
I'VE can now consider whether the
basic, permanent plan of injecting
new blood is desirable. I am highly
gratified at the turn of events, be-
cause I have believed that with pro-
per safeguards the plan for injection
of new blood has merit"
Foes Confer Oh Strategy.
Opposition Senators set aside time
| h. hoo ~ 10
fer on strategy. They insisted the
President should abandon his pro-
posal, saying it was foredoomed
Senator Burke, Democrat, of Ne
braska, foe of the measure, said
there was possibility "a round-robin
signed by more than so per cent of
the Senators will ask the President to
withdraw the bill so far as it applies
| to the Supreme Court"
Three Democratic Senators gener-
ally considered non-committal on the
issues-BroWn Of Michigan, Schwellen-
bach of Washington and Duffy of
Wisconsin-indicated they would be
receptive to compromise.
Senator Burke later told newspaper
men, I'VE agree there will be no
compromise.
Opposition Claims Two.
I'VE are ready to go ahead" Burke
added. Already two members of the
Judiciary Committee have swung into
the opposition as result of the courts
decision.
"One was definitely for the bill, the
other was non-committal We are
making quick progress"
Burke did not name the two Senators
he said we're turning against the bill.
Two changes, if not counteracted by
other shifts, would swing the closely
divided committee against the bill.
| Administration aides were busy dur
ing the day checking in the Senate
to see what effect the decisions had
on senatorial opinions.
Charles West, White House liaison
man, conferred with several Senator'S,
but kept silent on his findings.