Judges More Power Than President

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 42, 19 February 1937, Page 7

Judges More Power Than President

United States Wants Supreme Court Reform TO RESTORE DEMOCRACY. United Press Assocmtion—Bv Electric Telegraph.—Copyrlcht, Received Thursday, 9.25 p.m. WASHINGTON, Feb. 18. Two resolutions proposing •constitutional amendments limiting the Supreme Court, have been introduced into tho Senate. One would permit Congress to re-enact by a two-third’s vote each branch of a law invalidated by the Court but only after a regular election in. which Members of the House are elected. Tho other provides tho voluntary retirement of Justices at the age of seventy and compels retirement at seventy-five. During the debate in the Senate Senator McKellar, in a two hour speech defending President Roosevelt’s programme, was interrupted frequently by Senator George and Senator ConnalJy. McKellar stated that the N.R.A. decision was correct but the A.A.A. and other close decisions wero blunders. He argued that Roosevelt, by his victory at the polls, had a mandate to do something about the Court. Senator George insisted that the plan was un-American but Senator Connally merely interposed questions. Senator William Green announced that the American Federation of Labour would support the President. The latest poll of the Senate show thirty-four against end thirty-three for, with twenty-nine uncommitted. The Christian Science Monitor hold a poll which showed that more than twothirds of its newspapers readers w r ho supported Roosevelt for re-election, declared themselves against the Court proposal. Only nineteen approved. Senator Thomas said tho plan was necessary duo to advices by tho judiciary resulting in a ritual oligarchy. Changes were necessary to restore democracy. Senator Van Nuys contended that tho people should be the ones to rc-adjust a xfy unbalancing or checks to the Government, such as that complained of ky Mr Roosevelt. He (Mr Van Nuys) favoured the judiciary programme with the exception of tho increase in tho Court and insisted that Congress should not begin tampering with the Courts and tinkering with the Constitution. In a debate in Congress, Representative Murdoch said the change in the Court would make United States Parliamentary Government similar to that in England. Labour’s Non-Partisan League has announced the calling of a national convention to arouse support for the President’s plan, but support by farmers doubtful. Mr S. Minton, Democrat member ot the Senate for Indiana, in a radio address, urged the people to support President Roosevelt’s judiciary reform programme to restore the balance of the Government, which was thrown out by five of the present members of the Bu preme Court Bench. The speaker asserted that the five justices under the present system had more power than the President and Congress combined.