Evening star., 1938-09-01
PLAN TO FORCE HUGHES TO QUIT
SUPREME COURT BENCH REVEALED
Tydings Describes
Administration
Attempt.
By J. A. OLEARY,
Star StaH Corrsxnnpd

dressing one OF Cle largest crOW0S that
has turned out to hear him in his
campaign for denomination, Senator
Tydings declared here last night that
an effort by opponents of the admin
istration's Supreme Court plan to work
out compromise failed last summer
because supporters of the bill wanted
one more member of the court to re.
tire.
Revealing that he had been selected
as spokesman for the opposition to
present the compromise, the Senator
further asserted that those to whom
he presented the proposition men,
toned Chief Justice Hughes as the
additional member they wanted re-
tired
And I was told the man who could
get Mr., Hughes to resign" he de-
clared, adding that the group of oppo-
sition Senators refused to negotiate on
that basis. He did not say to whom
the compromise was presented
The Senator said his reply was that
he was not playing poker, but show
down"
R0bins0n's Death Followed.
I was told" he continued, that an
answer would be given at pm. that
afternoon. was given the answer and
1t was No A few days later Senator
Robinson majority leader Of the SEN
ate) died"
Continuing his story. Mr. Tydings
declared that then the very people
to whom We had made the proposition"
indicated willingness to accept BY
that time, the Senator said, the group
opposed to the bill had grown and
the compromise was dropped. In be-
ginning his reference 70 the court
fight, which marked the beginning of
the administrations break with cer-
tain Senators, Mr. Tydlnes said:
DO you know that most of the men
who opposed the court bill favored
some judicial reform? They would
have favored constitutional amend
ment or liberalization Of the retire.
ment law for judges"
90 They opposed the court e9I~rgement
bill AS offel cd, he said because they
felt 1t meant the handing over of the
court to the executive branch of the
Government almost in toto
He then explained that the compro-
mise which he WAS delegated to offer
called for acceptance OF the bill pro-
vlded it would not apply to sitting
members of the court.
Senator Tydings' statement brought
from Senator Logan. Democrat. of
Kentucky, an administration leader in
the court fight, this comment:
! was, perhaps, as closely identified
with the Supreme Court bill as any
one and I never heard any such sug-
gestion made"
Senator Logan was chief Lieutenant
to Democratic Leader Robinson in the
drive to pass the court bill
THE White House made on COM
rent today on charges of Senator
Tydings last night that proponents
e the court reform plan wanted
to have Chief Justice Hughes re-
tired
Close friends of the administra-
ton who we're familiar with the
court controversy did say, however
today that during the Supreme
Court fight in Congress there were
two members. one member of the
Senate and one a member of the
House, who thought the President
could reach his reorganization OBJ
jective more directly by securing
retirements from the court and so
advised the President. These ad-
visers. whose names would not be
revealed by White House friends
today. sent an emissary to the
President with their proposal, it
was said, but the President sent
back an answer that he was not
interested in personalities and that
he would not traffic in judgeships)
Applauded for "Invasion' Talk.
The Senator was applauded repeat
edly when he struck out again at the
invasion of a Maryland primary by
''outside forces"
Let's presume the President has
the right to enter State primaries in
the selection of members of Congress.
and let's assume he gets them in 80
States. What would be the use in
calling this democracy?' he shouted.
The Senator quoted Government
employees as having told him: "Sena-
tor I'm going to vote for you, but
don't tell anybody" He said other
employees have told him they would
like to make a contribution to his
campaign, except that all contribu-
tions must be reported.
o. Mr.. Tydings also charged that
"bridges are thrown out and judge
ships are dangled" as part of the cam
paign against him. He told his lis
teners that whenever an administra-
ton obtains the right to select
States representatives. then your
form of government is on the way out,
and make no mistake about that
Recalls Sacrifice for Democracy.
The real issue in the Maryland
! campaign, he continued, does not re-
late to economic problems or matters
Of legislation, "or whether the Uni
versity Of Maryland is going to get
new building or not. The real issue
Is, How many people know what de-
mocracy is?'" He went on to recall
how the founders of the Republic
fought and died to win the right of
local self-government.
Senator Tydings asserted Repre-
sentative Lewis had been Endorsed by
the Communists, referring to state
ment issued yesterday by the State
Committee of the Communist party of
Maryland. That statement said I'VE
:. shall do all in our power to defeat
Tydings" and praised Lewis as de
fender of the New Deal"
To-day" said Senator Tydings. Il
was denounced by the Communists Of
Maryland, and I wear that as a badge
Of honor.
Il do not say that Mr.. Lewis is a
Communist, but If the Communists
were to indorse me as they did Mr..
Lewis. I would be looking at myself
In the mirror"
The Senator rea ched +bic t,,,,, 49,.