SUPPORT FOR PRESIDENT

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 363, 18 February 1937, Page 6

SUPPORT FOR PRESIDENT

JUDICIARY PLANS. NOT DICTATORIAL Changes Necessary to Restore Democracy. Press Association—Copyright. Washing;’.')!!, Feb. 16. Mr. McAdoo and Senator Thomas in addresses urged support for President Boosevelt’s judiciary programme. Senator Van Nuys also spoke opposing the portion of the plan relating to" the increase in Supreme Court judges. “I challenge, anyone to show the plan is l the result of the dictational power of Mr. Roosevelt,” said Mr. McAdoo. “I cannot conceive that the President's power would be increased or decreased by an increase in t.ha court membership. Mr. Thomas said the plan was necessary owing to advices by the judiciary resulting in a virtual oligarchy,, Changes were necessary to restore democracy.

Mr. Van Nuys contended that the people should be the ones to readjust any unbalancing or checks to the Government such as that complained of by Mr. Roosevelt. Mr. Van Nuys favoured the judiciary programme with the exception of the increase in the court membership. He insisted that Congress' should not begin tampering with the courts and tinkering with the constitution.

In a debate, in Congress Mr. Murdock said tile change in the court vJould make the United States Parliamentary Government similar to that in England. Labour’s' non-partisan league announced that it was calling a national convention to arouse support for the President’s' plan, but the support of the farmers is doubtful. Mr. Louis Taber master of the National Grange, said he doubted the wisdom of giving such power to any President.