Evening star., 1939-02-26
Summers Warns U.S
Is in Key Position
In Fight for Liberty
House Judiciary Choirmon
Tells Bar Democrucies
Have $3.50 Chance

Warning that democracies fast
are disappearing, with the United
States holding "key position" in
the struggle for liberty, Chairman
Hatton w. Summers of the House
Judiciary Committee last night esti-
mated that democracies have only
about $3.50 chance" of survival.
He called upon members of the
Federal Bar Association at q May
flower Hotel banquet, to shoulder
their responsibility to see to it that
under God. human liberty and the
right of men to be free shall not
disappear from the face of the
earth" He saw, however, a "re-
generated America.
Mr.. Summers warning was echoed
by Chairman Ramspeck of the
House Civil Service Committee, who
mentioned Hitler by name.
II believe with Chairman Sum-
ner," declared Mr.. Ramspeck, that
we are facing the most critical
period not only in the history of
this country, but of the world.
Democracy is on trial"
No matter how fine government
may be here, he warned, unless it
is administered so as to satisfy
the people they will vote for
change, just as the people of Ger
many voted for Hitler, not because
they wanted him, but because they
wanted a change
Warns of Rising Deficit.
Federal lawyers were praised by
oil speakers of the evening, led by
Seth Richardson, former Attorney
General in a Republican admins
tration, who called this the third
great crisis" in the history of the
country.
Mr. Richardson's reference to the
Treasury Department as the great
est in the world" was followed up
by Chairman Summers with a warn
ing that in the Treasury there is
mounting higher and higher the
deficit of this Nation
ANY one knows that one who is
spending more than he is taking
In is facing bankruptcy" he de-
clared.
Warning that by taking power
away from the States and placing
it in the Federal Government, I'VE
are going Backward Mr.. Summers
declared that the whole magnificent
struggle for human freedom" in
history from the Magma Charta
on down was to take power away
from the central government and
give it to the people"
We're not moving in the right
direction yet" he declared. I'm all
the great struggles for liberty among
our people, lawyers have led. Law
yers OF the country must lead again."
Robert E. Freer Presides.
Mr.. Richardson and Senator Will
liam j. Bulow of South Dakota,
chairman of the Senate Civil Service
Committee, devoted most of their
speeches to entertainment.
Robert E. Freer, president of the
Federal Bar Association, who is
chairman of the Federal Trade Com
mission, presided. Music was by the
United States Marine Band Orches-
ira, William F. Santlemann, second
leader, and entertainment by cour-
tesy Of the Lotus Club William N.
Morell, vice president of the associa-
ton, was chairman of the Commit
tee on Arrangements
Special guests included Chief JUS
tice D. Lawrence Groner of the Court
Of Appeals, Justice Justin Miller of
the Court of Appeals, Presiding
Judge Finis j. Garrett of the Court
OF Customs and Patent Appeals, Sef-
ton Darr, president of the District
OF Columbia Bar Association; Miss
Annabel Matthews, president of the
Woman's Bar Association; Fred w.
Catlett, member of the Federal Home
Loan Bank Board; Senator Bulow,
Mr.. Summers and Mr.. Ramspeck.
Among other honor guests intro
duced was Faith Baldwin, novelist.
The guest list follows:
AkerS, r. H. Allen, L. p, jr.
Akers, Mrs r. H. Anderson, R. N
Alden. Henry P. Anderson. Mrs. R. N.