The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-09-17
Roosevelt. Sept. 11th
 Speech Is Assailed
Many Prominent American Citizens Consider It Grave
 Threat to Compression Constitutional Powers

Chicago, H., Sept. 1T Forty eight prominent Americans, today assailed the Presidents speech of September 1ith as Q "grave threat to the Constitutional powers of Con- gress and to the democratic prin- ciples of majority rule"
 The joint statement released to the press by General Robert E. Wood chairman Board of Directors of Sears Roebuck and Company was signed by such prominent Amer jeans as Charles A. Beard, historian; former Governor William II, (Al. falfa BID Murray of Oklahoma; Irwin s. Cobb; Alice Roosevelt Long, worth; William L. Hutchinson, vice. president of the American Federa- ton of Labor; former Governor Philip F. LaFollette of Wisconsin; Igor Sikorsky, aviation pioneer; Ma jor General Johnson Hagooa; Ed win Borchard. Yale Professor of Constitutional Law: Robert L. Rip ley; and the following dignitaries of the Catholic church: Archbishop Francis J. L. Beckman of Dubuque; Bishop Gerald Shaughnessy of Seat tie: Bishop John A. Duffy of Buffalo The statement declared that the Presidents orders to the Navy to shoot on sight, undermines Consti- tutional powers of Congress to de- clare war and was directly contrary to the will of the people. The state ment called upon congress to reas- sert It's proper duty. The full text of the statement follows:
 "The Presidents speech of Sep- tember llth presents grave threat to the constitutional powers of Con- gress and to the democratic princi- ples of majority rule. Our Congress cannot ignore this challenge. It must reassert immediately in unmis- takeable terms, it's historic guard ianship of our lives and liberties, or submit to the imminent prospect of undeclared war.
 "The President has decreed that shooting shall begin. His edict iS supported neither by Congressional sanction nor by the popular will. Il is authorized by nostatute and un- dermines the Constitutional provi- sion which gives the war power tC Congress alone.
 "The American people have re- peatedly declared themselves over whelmingly opposed to participation in Europe's war. They are more in- terested in strengthening our owr defenses and in preserving and ex' tending democracy at home. They will expect their elected representa- lives to take quick action to restore public confidence and to insure tht carrying out of the peoples will. IT so doing, Congress will receive oul unlimited support and that of al the American people"
 The complete list of signers is al follows:
 Charles A. Beard. Connecticut Historian; William H. (Alfalfa Bill Murray. former governor of Okla homa; General Johnson Hagood Virginia. Military Commentator anc Inventor; Igor sikorsky. Conneeti' cut, Aeronautical Engineer: Ra. Lyman Wilbur. California. President Leland Stanford University. former secretary Of Interior: Robert l.. Rip ley. New York. Author: Most Reyer' end Francis J. l.. Beekman, catholiI Archbishop Of Dubuque. Iowa: Iryii s Cobb. California. Writer Mos
 Reverend John A. Dufy, catholi' Bishop of Buffalo. New York Philip y. LaFoileste, former gover nor Of Wisconsin
 Most Reverend Gerald Ehaugh messy, Catholic Bishop of Seattle Washington. Rev, Samuel x. Wilson H. J. President L0yoia University Chicago. Ill.: Reverend Joh n A Onrlen, ketTe Dame University Reverend John l.. Bazinet. slt. Ma Fy'a Seminary, Baltimore; Euwin " IB0rchaFd. Professor Of Ccnftltu tionai Law. Yale University; Josepl