JUDICIARY CHANGES

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 364, 19 February 1937, Page 5

JUDICIARY CHANGES

U.S.A. COURTS. SENATE DISCUSSION. Federation Of Labour Supporting President. Press Association—Copyright. Washington, Feb. 18. Two resolutions proposing constitutional amendments limiting the Supreme Court were introduced in the Senate to-day. One would permit Congress to re-enact by a two-thirds vote each branch of the law invalidated by the court, but only after a regular election in which the members of the House were elected. Tlfe other provides for the voluntary retirement of justices at the age of 70, and compels retirement at 75. During the debate in the Senate Mr McKellar in a tWo-hour speech defending the Roosevelt programme was interrupted frequently by Senators George and Connally. Mr. McKellar stated that the National Recovery Act decision was correct, but Agricultural Act administration and other close decisions were blunders. He argued that Mr. Roosevelt by his victory at the polls had a mandate to do something; about the court. Mr. William Green, President of the Labour Federation, to-day announced that the federation would support the President.

The latest poll of the Senate shows 34 against the President’s plan and 33 for, with 29 not committed.

The Christian Science Monitor held a poll which showed that more than tub-thirds of the newspaper’s' readers who supported Mr. Roosevelt for re-election declared against the court proposal and only 19’ approved it.