Evening star., 1937-05-14

Announced opposition OF Senator Hen
rik Shipstead, Farmer-Labor, to the
Roosevelt court-packing plan is about
as serious blow as has been dealt to
that tottering project since it was sprung
upon the country three months ago. The
Minnesotan's attitude not only represents
the detection Of another militant liberal,
but brings perilously nearer the possi-
bility of tie in the Senate, If not an
actual majority of 49 to At against the
bill. The statesque Farmer-Laborite was
reelected to third term in 1884 with
the tacit support of the Roosevelt ad-
ministration, although he had regular
Democratic opponent former Represent
ative Einor Hoidale. ShipStead was also
opposed by a Republican, Communist
and Socialist, but swept the State by
a tremendous vote totaling more than
100000 and carrying nearly every county.
He has been consistent supporter OF
New Deal measures, but cannot swallow
the Supreme Court scheme. His hos
tility to it is shared by his Farmer-Labor
colleague, Senator Lundeen, hitherto re-
garded as sure supporter OF the plan.
It's agreed that the overwhelming
bulk Of Senate speaking talent Is arrayed
against the President on the judiciary
proposition. Big guns like Borah, Glass,
johnson, Wheeler, George, Tydings,
Connally, Vandenberg, Walsh, Bailey,
Burke ct al. comprise formidable ora
torical battery. Each and all Of them
are in training for the forensic battle
most powerful and eloquent speeches
thus far delivered against the court
measure was broadcast from Philadel-
phia this week by Senator Pat McCar-
ran, Democrat, Of Nevada, himself a
former State chief justice. With series
OF hot shots, including pertinent quo
tations from Bryces "The American
Commonwealth, McCarran poured dev-
astating broadsides into the arguments
OF court-enlargement proponents. He
pleaded forcefully for maintenance OF an
independent judiciary as the bulwark OF
the rights of toilers and "of the minority
against self-righteous majority" Nc.
Carran will raise one of the most eftec-
tive voices presently to be heard at the
Capitol against what he considers grave
challenge to the constitutional system.
F. D. RS plan will not lack potent de-
tenders. The burden of his cause will
be shouldered by Senators Robinson,
Ashurst, La Toilette Norris, Minton,
Barkley and Black. The stage is set for
great spellbinding on the Hill when the
fray finally opens.
Uncle Sans merchant marine Is ap-
parently not only going down to the sea
in ships, but up in the air in planes and
dirigibles. At least that's the significance
attached to the appointment OF Grover
Looming, pioneer American aviation au-
thority. to the new Maritime Commission
as aeronautical adviser. Chairman Ken
nedy announces that Mr.. Looming will
supervise studies of possible use OF air
craft in foreign and domestic commerce
in conjunction with the mercantile fleet.
In that capacity he is participating in
the Department of Commerce investiga-
ton of the Hindenburg disaster. Loen-
ing was associated with the earliest &C
tivities of the Wright brothers. Later
he was chief aeronautical engineer OF the
Army Air Corps. For the past 20 years
he has headed his own aircraft manu-
featuring organization. He designed and
built many Of the Nays original "am-
phibians" and also an experimental
plane, Of collapsible pattern, to be car
ried in submarines. Looming was award
ed the Distinguished Service Medal for
design and construction Of two-seater
dgnsang plane. ae happened to b born