Evening star. [volume], March 01, 1937, Image 1

About Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972

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WEATHER
«o ■ WMtner lurtui p»r«ci,:) The only evening paper
Pair and slightly warmer tonight and ■ «..._i*._. _ °.,F J",
tomorrow; lowest temperature tonight lh Washington With the
about 26 degrees gentle winds, mostly Associated PreSS NeWS
southwest and west. Temperatures—High- , ur;_, . 0
est. 38, at noon today; lowest. 18, at 7 a m. 3na WirephOtO berVICeS.
today. Pull report on page B-6.
SATYRDA VS IU2S7 SUNDAY'S fen oil
M V I aa I A D Oft Clrcalitlia, circalAtlin.
ClOSlDg New York markets, "age 4U_____ (Some returns not >et receive-!)
85th YEAR. No! 33,906. wc«8nhingto“ “uc* WASHINGTON, D. C., MONDAY, MARCH 1, 1937—THIRTY-EIGHT PAGES.**** <**> Maana AssociaMd Prssa. TWO CENTS.
HIGH COURT RULES
FOR NEW DEAL IN
Decision, Split 5-to-4, Is
First Since Demand for
Judiciary Reform.
DISPUTE GREW OUT
OF RENTAL CONTRACT
Effect of Agreement Held to Be
Avoidance of Compliance With
Devaluation Act.
BY JOHN H. CLINE.
In deciding its first case of na
tional importance since President
Roosevelt's demand for reorganization
>f the judiciary, the Supreme Court
today ruled for the New Deal in the
io-called Massachusetts gold case.
The justices were divided 5 to *',
vith Van DeVanter, McReynolds,
Sutherland and Butler dissenting. By
his same division, the justices upheld
he Government in the gold clause
:ases decided in 1935.
The present controversy grew out of
i rental contract between the Holyoke
Water Power Co. and the American
Writing Paper Co. Although the Gov
■rnment was not an immediate party
■o the litigation, it awaited the out
come with apprehension, since an
idverse ruling would have seriously
mpeded enforcement of the legisla
tion devaluing the dollar.
Avoidance of Law Charged.
The contract called for payment of
•ent In “a quantity of gold which
shall be equal in amount to $1,500 of
he gold coin of the United States of
he standard of weight and fineness of
he year 1894, or the equivalent of
his commodity in United States cur
rency.”
It was contended that the effect of
this agreement was to avoid complying
vith the legislation devaluing the dol
ar and prohibiting the payment of
obligations in gold coin.
Holding the agreement unenforce
ible. Justice Cardozo. delivering the
majority opinion, said:
“The fact is of little moment that
■urrency is characterized as a com
modity in the verbiage of the cove
nant as long as it is currency. Weasel
words will not avail to defeat the tri
umph of Intention when once the
words are read in the setting of the
whole transaction.
•‘So read, the end to be achieved is
shown forth unmistakably as a pay
ment, not a sale,”
Hold Contract One of Sale.
Attorneys arguing in support of the
lease had contended the provision
-railing for the payment of the rent
in ounces of gold should be treated as
iny other contract for the sale of a
Mmmodity.
Justice Cardozo pointed out that
transactions for the sale or delivery
jf gold for industrial purposes, such
is art work, are not within the mean
,ng of the statute, but he held this
transaction did not come within the
txception.
The Government had contended the
■ontract, if upheld, “would serve to
lullify the effort of Congress to as
sure for the country a single and uni
orm system of money.”
Hie dissenting justices did not write
in opinion.
Roper Order is Upheld.
The court upheld an order by Sec
retary Roper, directing three steam
hip companies transporting freight
letween Gulf ports and the Pacific
Doast through the Panama Canal to
■ancel a contract rate system whereby
.ome shippers obtained concessions.
In an 8-to-l decision delivered by
lustice Stone, the tribunal affirmed a
uling by a three-judge Federal Dis
rict Court in the District of Columbia
lismissing the complaint against the
>rder. Justice Sutherland dissented.
The court also declared invalid
California's 1935 "caravan act” requir
ng a $15 fee for each motor vehicle
iriven or towed into the State for
•ale.
In an unanimous decision delivered
>y Justice Stone the tribunal affirmed
i ruling by a three-judge Federal Dis
rict Court in California holding the
.tatute invalid.
HOUSE PASSES BILL
ON JUVENILE COURT
Measure Designed to Modernize
and Humanize Procedure
of Tribunal.
Without debate, the House today
tassed a bill to modernize and hu
nanize Juvenile Court procedure in
he District.
The measure was the only one of
line local bUls on the House calendar
hat Chairman Norton of the Dis
riet Committee called up for con
ideration. The remaining eight bills
/ill be considered next Monday, the
egulai District day.
The Juvenile Court measure will
low go to the Senate. Its chief
eature would change procedure in
uvenlle Court from a criminal to a
hancery system.
The bill also Is designed to give
hlldren appearing before the court
ireater protection. It provides for
learings in private and will allow Jury
rials only on demand of the parent
•r guardian of the child or of the
ourt.
15 SENTENCED TO DIE
keeused of Aiding Spanish Insur
gents—24 Jailed.
BILBAO, Spain. March 1 C4>).—Fif
een persona convicted of aiding Span
sh insurgents were sentenced by a
ovemment military court today to
te shot to death.
Twenty-four others were given long
>rison terms and one suspect
koquittod.
In Aviation Shake-Up
REX MARTIN. FRED D. FAGG, Jr. MAJ. CONE.
MAJ. R. W. SCHROEDER AND EUGENE VIDAL.
—Underwood & Underwood Photo.
Will Receive 6 Executives on
March 10 on Jobless
Relief Problem.
By the Associated Press
President Roosevelt agreed today to
receive the Governors of six industrial
States March 10 to discuss proposals
for an "efficient and sound” solution
of the unemployment relief problem.
The Governors of New York, Minne
sota. Illinois, Massachusetts. Wiscon
sin and Rhode Island asked for the
meeting last night after a conference
in New York City.
Their telegram to the President
protested against any cuts in Works
Progress relief rolls, saying the cost
of relief to employables could not be
borne by local units of government.
REQUEST MADE YESTERDAY.
Governors Protest Reduction in
W. P. A. Program.
NEW YORK. March 1 f/P).—’The Gov
ernors of six industrial States, pro
testing the W. P A. reduction program
and possible shifting of the relief
burden to the States and local govern
ment units, were waiting today for an
answer from President Roosevelt to
their request for a conference on
unemployment problems.
The executives, in a lengthy tele
gram to Mr. Roosevelt after a discus
sion of the relief situation yesterday,
urged co-operation of the Federal and
State Governments to "encourage in
dustry to provide additional opportuni
ties for private employment for those
on W. P. A. and State relief rolls.”
The conference here, arranged by
Gov. Herbert H. Lehman of New York,
was attended by Govs. Elmer Benson
of Minnesota, Henry Horner of Illinois,
Charles F. Hurley of Massachusetts,
Philip F. La Follette of Wisconsin and
Robert E. Quinn of Rhode Island.
All Democrats But Two.
All are Democrats except La Follette,
who is a Progressive, and Benson,
elected on a Farmer-Labor ticket. All
(See GOVERNORS, Page A-3.)
ROOSEVELT URGES
Asks Congress to Enact
System Financed by
Excise Tax.
By tht Associated Fress.
President Roosevelt proposed to
Congress today the enactment of a
sugar quota system financed by an
excise tax on raw sugar.
Income from the tax. estimated at
$100,000,000 annually, would make pos
sible the resumption of benefit pay
ments to sugar producers, which the
President proposed.
The tax. the President said in a
special message, should be not less
than three-fourths of 1 cent a pound
on sugar, raw value.
"I am definitely advised.’’ Mr.
Roosevelt said, “that such a tax would
not increase the average cost of sugar
to consumers."
Mr. Roosevelt recommended that in
evolving a new control system, pro
vision should be made for preventing
child labor and establishing a mini
mum wage standard.
Jones-Costigan Art.
The Jones-Costigan act, which ex
pired last December but was continued
in principle through this year, author
ized the Secretary of Agriculture to
allot the estimated annual sugar con
sumption of the country among beet
and cane domestic producers and such
'‘off-shore" producers as those in
Hawaii, the Philippines and similar
insular possessions.
The act originally become law as
an amendment to the agricultural ad
| justment act. Certain provisions,
principally that imposing a processing
tax, become inoperative when the
A. A. A. was ruled unconstitutional
and benefit payments to producers
ceased.
The President said the excise tax
would yield “approximately one
hundred million dollars per annum
to the Treasury of the United States,
which would make the total revenue
rsee SUGAR, Paie A-2.)
Mrs. Roosevelt Spikes Rumor
She Will Run for Presidency
All rumors to the contrary, Mrs.
Franklin D. Roosevelt definitely is not
a candidate for the presidency in 1940,
she announced today at her press con
ference.
Moreover, she believes that it would
be "idiotic” to consider the idea of
running any woman for the highest
office of the land at this time—not,
however, because there are not women
capable of holding the position.
There are not yet enough women
in public life to command sufficient
support either for election or for the
accomplishment of anything worth
while, Mrs. Roosevelt explained.
Asked to suggest possible feminine
candidates, she replied that she
thought almost any one might name
women who are capable of holding the
office.
A sort of "breakfast and luncheon
reorganization plan” is underway at
the White House now as a result of
the President’s recent complaint that
he is tired of having the same things
for these two meals repeated over and
over again, Mrs. Roosevelt also dis
closed.
Today, she said, the President had
a choice of 20 possible luncheon menus.
He selected stuffed crabs.
Agreeing that any one who eats at
the same place exclusively occa^gn
ally becomes weary of the ehosQ, of,
foods. Mrs. Roosevelt added that
the President should have less diffi
culty than most because more than
one person does the cooking at the
White House.
Her husband is very fond of salt
fish for breakfast, she explained, and
the recent crisis which provoked the
complaint arose from the fact that
the same fish was offered several days
running. The White House kitchen
has six different kinds of fish to choose
from, but apparently it was a case of
too many cooks spoiling the broth, for
some one failed to check the menus.
The President often breakfasts on
orange Juice and milk, by choice, she
continued.
One State—Louisiana—which she
has not visited since her White House
residence, will receive the President’s
wife during a projected lecture tour
to begin at midnight Thursday and
continue until March 26.
Opening the series at New Orleans
on Saturday, Mrs. Roosevelt will speak
in Texas, Oklahoma, Tennessee. Ala
bama and Mississippi. Her subjects
are the same she used on a similar
trip last Spring: “The Responsibility
of the Individual to His Community,"
’’Peace," “Problems of Youth” and a
“Day in the White House ” An inno
vation of .the tour will be her appear
ance before several college groups, she
said.
VIDAL POST GIVEN
FRED D. FAGG. JR.,
WORLD WAR PILOT
Air Bureau Shake-Up Re
lieves Both Assistant Di*
rectors of Duty.
MAJ. SCHROEDER TAKES
CONSOLIDATED OFFICE
Retiring Director to Continue in
Advisory Capacity for Present,
Eoper Announces.
BY JOSEPH S. EDGERTOV.
Fred D. Fagg, jr., World War pilot,
and founder of the Air Law Institute,
today was named director of the
Bureau of Air Commerce in a thorough
shake-up resulting from the resigna
tion of Eugene L. Vidal.
Both assistant directors were relieved
from office and their posts consoli
dated under Maj. Rudolph W.
Schroeder, chief of the Air Line In
spection Service. Maj. Schroeder will
have the title of assistant director.
Change for Rex Martin.
Rex Martin, assistant director in
charge of navigation, has been as
signed to a study of commercial avia
tion in Latin America.
Col. J. Carroll Cone, assistant di
rector in charge of regulation, has been
given a similar mission to Europe.
Vidal's resignation which was con
sistently rumored during congressional
investigation cfl the bureau, was an
nounced unexpectedly late yesterday
afternoon.
Vidal will continue in an advisory
capacity for the present. Secretary
Roper announced In making public
the reorganization plan.
The new director has been engaged
for more than a year in codifying
and revising the air commerce regu
lations. working under direction and
guidance of Secretary Roper.
Although Fagg is not an acting
piiot and has had no recent connect
tion with active aviation affairs, he
has a broad legal and economic back
ground and is widely known in the
aviation world. Secretary Roper ex
plained.
Native of Brooklyn.
He is particularly well known in the
i field of international aviation law. He
is a native of Brooklyn. N Y.. and was
educated in California schools and at
Harvard and Northwestern Universi
ties. During the World War he com
pleted his aviation training in Cali
fornia and Texas, and was one of a
group of American officers assigned to
a British night bombardment squad
ron, with headquarters at Suflex,
England.
After his discharge. December, 1918,
he resumed an interrupted law career,
specializing in aviation work. As
professor in Northwestern University
founded the Air Law Institute, an
international organization.
Pagg has been a member of the
Illinois Aeronautics Commission since
it was organized in 1931; secretary of
the National Association of State Avia
tion Officials since 1932; a member of
the American Section of the Inter
national Technical Committee of
Aerial Legal Experts, now meeting in
Berne. Switzerland, and a member of
the American Bar Association's Com
mittee on Aeronautical Law.
Maj. Schroeder had a distinguished
career in the Army as an engineer
and test pilot following the World
War. before he resigned to ^nter civil
aviation. He was associated with
Hetyy Ford in the early development
of the Ford aviation interests. .As an
Army pilot, Schroeder established sev
eral world altitude records. In con
nection with experimental work at the
Air Corps Development Center, at
Wright Field, Ohio.
Schroeder has been in charge of
the enforcement of all air line regu
lations, under which the domestic air
transport industry has taken a posi
tion of world leadership. He is re
garded as one of the most capable
(See VIDAL, Page A-27)
Summary of Today’s Star
Page. Page.
Amusements, B-16 Radio -A-15
C "lies _B-ll Short Story . B-l*
11 orial ... A-l# Society .. A-3
Financial .. A-ZO Sports A-16-17-18
Lost Sc Found A-3 Woman’s Pg. B-10
Obituary_A-12
FOREIGN.
Nineteen killed as storm hits Europe
and North Africa. Page A-5
Edward believed to have set May 3 for
wedding. Page A-l
,Fascist Grand Council called to in
sider “necessities.” Page A-S
NATIONAL.
Dispute on courts plan sounds in the
Senate. Page A-l
Supreme Court upholds New Deal
gold law. Page A-l
Neutrality bill debate starts in the
Senate. Page A-l
Farm program may require $1,000,
000,000 a year. Page A-4
WASHINGTON AND VICINITY.
Mrs. Roosevelt not a presidential can
didate. she says. Page A-l
Roosevelt agrees to receive six Gov
ernors March 10. Page A-l
Probe of police "extra jobs” is
launched. Page A-l
Vague clues followed in death of
Alexandria boy. Page A-l
President asks excise tax on raw
sugar. Page A-l
Fred D. Fagg. jr., named air commerce
director. Page A-l
Reorganization Mil takes D. C. con
trol from Congress. Page B-l
Bus driver tied to steering wheel,
robbed of $127.50. Page B-l
Sheriff denies report jail food poi
soned Mrs. Trader. Page A-8
School groups demand “red rider”
repeal. Page B-l
Committee on D. C. ^organization
sum wort Pttday. S Page B*l
(GIMME ]
MY SHIRS!
'The LEGALITY Of The \
SIT DOWN STRIKE
IS YET to BE I
y DETERMINED!/
Roosevelt ‘Victory Dinner’ Talk
And ‘Fireside Chat’ Are Linked
Address Thursday Night to Serve as
Foundation for That Monday,
Court Expected to Be Topic,
BY J. Rl-SSELL YOUNG. |
President Roosevelt’s address at the
“victory dinner’’ at the Mayflower
Hotel Thursday night will serve as a
foundation for the "fireside chat ’ he
will deliver from the White House
next Monday night, it was announced
today.
The subjects which the President
will discuss, it was explained, cannot
be covered in a single speech.
Both addresses will be car
ried over Nation-wide radio hook
ups and both will be 30 minutes
in duration. Although the President
has declined to say just what specific
subjects he will discuss, he is expected
to explain his ideas concerning the
reorganization of the Federal judici
ary. including the United States Su
preme Court.
Mr Roosevelt spent the greater part
of yesterday writing the first of his
two speeches, which he hopes to have
in final corrected form by tomorrow
or next day. In preparation for the
two addresses the President has talked
with many Senators and Representa
tives. in addition to members of his
cabinet and others high in the party
councils and in administration circles.
The President made as few engage
ments today as possible, hoping to al
low himself some time to resume the
writing of the first of these two
speeches. He resumed his conferences
with congressional leaders, which he
started soon after the announcement
of his court reorganization plans by
having a long chat during the fore
noon with Representative Sumners, of
i SeeROOSEVELT, Page-2?)
Reported Fearful Marriage
Might Dim Brother’s
Coronation.
Bt the Associated Press.
LONDON, March 1—The Duke of
Windsor was reported today to have
set May 2 as the day for his wedding
to Wallis Simpson, causing fear the
royal romance would overshadow the
coronation of his brother-successor
Just 10 days later.
Former King Edward VIII general
ly was believed to have made it clear
in week-end conferences that he in
tended to marry the woman for
whom he abdicated his throne as soon
as her divorce from Ernest Simpson
becomes absolute April 27.
The lights in Edward's study at
Enzelfeld Castle near Vienna were
said to have burned until 6 a m. yes
terday while he thrashed out the
question with his favorite brother, the
Duke of Kent, and Lord Brownlow,
who accompanied Mrs. Simpson on
her flight from England.
It has been becoming daily more ap
(See EDWARD, Page A-47)
“Snow parking" cases dropped by D. C.
officials. Page B-l
EDITORIAL AND COMMENT. •
Editorials. Page A-10
This and That. Page A-10
Answers to Questions. Page A-10
Washington Observations. Page A-10
David Lawrence. Page A-1I
Paul Mallon. PageA-11
Dorothy Thompson. PageA-11
Constantine Brown. PageA-11
Headline Folk. Page A-ll
FINANCIAL.
Corporate bonds improve
(table). PageA-19
A. T. & T. profits rise. Page A-19
Stocks Irregular (table). PageA-20
Savings rates cut. PageA-20
Curb list narrow (table). PageA-21
SPORTS.
Rookie Wasdell gets chance to win
Kuhel's job. Page A-16
Star basket tourney pairings ready
tonight. Page A-16
Oriole “600" tops Baltimore track pro
gram. Page A-16
David Cup contenders each relies upon
one star. Page A-16
Boxing game needs drastic reforms,
says Dempsey. Page A-17
Rosemont shelved for month, but not
retired. Page A-17
D. C. muny linksmen to battle for
coast trip. Page A-16
MISCELLANY.
Dorothy Dix. PageB-10
Betsy Caswell. Page B-16
City News in Brief. Page A-7
Young Washington. PageA-14
Crossword Puzzle. Page B-II
Nature’s Children. Page B-9
Bedtime Story. Page B-12
Letter-Out. Page B-12
Winning Contract. 4 Page B-9
Vital Statistics. Pags B-l
Vague Clues Followed as
Alexandria Officials De
cide to Hold Inquest.
By « Staff Correspondent of The Star.
ALEXANDRIA, Va„ March 1 —
Vague clues in the mysterious death of
15-year-old Luther Cummins will be
turned over to the coroner this week,
it was revealed today as police clung
to a theory of suicide or accident and
the father stuck to his contention of
foul play.
Although the investigation appeared
at a standstill, Commonwealth Attor
ney Albert V. Bryan announced the
search for definite evidence will con
tinue until the case is laid before Act
ing Coroner William B. Wilkins Friday.
Should something conclusive de
velop before then, however, the evi
dence—if of a criminal nature—will
be presented direct to the grand jury,
also scheduled to convene Friday.
Case Still Open.
Determination to stage an inquest
was reached by Bryan this afternoon
after a lengthy conference with
Police Chief John S. Arnold and De
tective Lieut. Edgar Sims, at which
all phases of the investigation were
discussed but not formally disclosed.
"The case is still open," Bryan
said, "but at this time there is no
indication the bov was murdered.
“Nor do we have any motive why
he should have ended his own life.
The facts, as we know them, will be
submitted to the coroner, and if ne
decides death resulted from foul play
the investigation will be pressed."
Body Found in Woods.
The body of the Cummins boy, re
duced to a skeleton, was found Sat
urday near his home at Hume Springs
by his 12-year-old brother, Robert.
The skeleton, discovered in a clump
of trees in a lonely swamp approxi
mately 100 yards from the Cummins
house, was clad only in a pair of
trousers and a shirt. .
Police expressed the theory that the
(See-CUMMINSrPage~A-5j
PITTMAN WAGES
—
Senator, Opening Debate,1
Says Bill Will KeepU.S.
Out of War.
By the Associated Press.
Foreign Relations Chairman Pitt
man appealed to the Senate today for
enactment of his permanent neutrality
plan, forecasting it "will keep us out
of the next great foreign war.”
Opening Senate debate on the con
troversial measure, the Nevada Demo
crat reviewed at length the causes ot
! American entry into the World War.
He warned that “such a war may come
again: tn fact, the world today is pre
paring for such a war.”
"If it comes.” he added, “let us not
be tn the position that we were in bt •
fore we entered the last World War.
"Let us not drift along through
diplomatic correspondence, protesta
tion with regard to neutral and belli
gerent rights, while the destruction of
the lives of our citizens goes on until
eventually there is repeated the death
and destruction and misery and grief
that we experienced and the condition
that we have suffered ever since the
last great war.”
Far-Reaching Legislation.
Pittman told the Senate the bill goes
beyond any legislation ever adopted in
this or any other country.
"And yet.” he added. “I contend
that nothing in this proposed legisla
tion prevents free commerce with the
world, except as we have heretofore
restricted it in existing law. or is dis
criminatory. unlawful, or constitutes a
surrender of the freedom of the seas."
Senator Vandenberg, Republican, of
Michigan, a leader of the old Muni
tions Committee group that favors a
! mandatory law. said he would try to
strike out the last major discretionary
provision in the bill.
He opposed the discretionary power
the measure would vest in the Presi
dent to determine what commodities
could be shipped to belligerents on
American ships.
Too Late After Outbreak.
“Any move after war has broken
out," he said, "would invite an un
neutral interpretation, no matter how
neutral the President was trying to be.
“You can't do anything after a
crisis has arisen without being mis
understood. The rules have got to be
written ahead of time.”
Senator Johnson. Republican, of
California opposed the bill as a whole,
on the theory that it would be more
likely to involve the United States
in a war than to keep it out.
Senator Borah. Republican, of
Idaho, wanted to eliminate the sec
tion to which Vandenberg objected.
He also wanted to cut out the "cash
and carry” proposal which the Michi
gan Senator supports.
Both Borah and Johnson opposed
what they contended was the bill's
design to "surrender” America's tra
ditional freedom of the seas policy.
On the other hand, Senator Thomas.
| Democrat, of Utah, had ready a sub
stitute bill to give the President
broad discretion. His measure more
nearly would meet the views of the
State Department.
Provisions of Bill.
Pittman's bill would make perma
nent the present mandatory embargo
on exports of arms to belligerents.
Under the “cash and carry" provision,
no goods could be shipped to bellig
erents until Americans had divested
themselves of any interest in them.
Americans would be forbidden to
travel on belligerents' ships, and
i merchant vessels could not be armed.
Probe of Police Extra Jobs”
May Call Scores to Trial
An investigation under way today
within the ranks of the Police Depart
ment to determine who was holding
"extra jobs” threatened scores of offi
cers with possible Trial Board action.
Although officials refused to be
“pinned down” on the ultimate aim
of the check-up, the investigation is
reported to have grown out of the
case of William M. McGrath, police
man-lawyer, who is scheduled to ap
pear before the Trial Board next
month.
McGrath must defend himself on
four charges, most of them involving
his alleged private law practice.
The wholesale investigation came to
light when it was learned Police Supt.
Ernest W. Brown has ordered inspec
tors and precinct commanders to
have all policemen file statements list
ing additional cAnpensation.
i The statemeA, required only of
those officer? who have outside em
ployment. requested the source of their
"extra pay” without asking the
amount of time devoted to the extra
work.
The statements are being submitted
to Chief Clerk Howard E. Crawford,
who said he had received “only a few”
from scattered precincts up to noon
today. He could not estimate how
many replies he had received.
The statements will be submitted to
the District auditor, who, Crawford
said, had requested them. Commis
sioner Melvin C. Hazen. who is in
charge of the Police Department, said
he knew nothing of the investigation.
It has been reported that a number
of uniformed officers have been prac
ticing law during their time off. while
others have varied forms of “part-time
employment." £ne policeman, it was
(See POmCK, Page A-5.1
Burke Cites Speech Sched
uled by Hopkins Tonight
in Debate.
ROBINSON DENOUNCER
‘UNTRUTHFUL’ LETTER
Talk of Compromise Continues,
With 7-to-2 Decision Law Held
Likely Basis.
Br the Associated Press.
Charges of “unfair propaganda”
both for and against President Roose
velt's court plan sounded in the Sen
ate today.
Opponents of the plan cited a radio
speech scheduled for tonight by Harry
L. Hopkins, works progress adminis
trator.
Reference was made to Hopkir*' ad
dress by Senator Burke, Democrat, of
Nebraska, an opponent of the plan,
after Senator Robinson, Democratic
leader, read to the Senate what he
called “an untruthful, unfair and de
liberate” piece of propaganda.
Shouting so that his words echoed
down the Capitol corridors. Robinson
challenged Senators to defend the let
ter he read, asking that protests be
sent to Representatives.
Burke arose, and without immedi
ately answering Robinson, denied he
was influenced by such propaganda.
Mentions Hopkins Talk.
He asked If the Democratic leader
considered the letter "any more dan
gerous to a free expression of opinion
than the announced radio address to
night by Works Progress Administra
tor Hopkins on the other side, appeal
ing to thousands of W P A workers.”
"What about that kind of propa
ganda?" Burke asked.
"I do not know what Mr Hopkins
is going to say," Robinson replied,
"and so I must ask to be execused
from commenting. I think works
progress administrator has a right to
speak on the subject. Does the Sena
tor think he doesn't?”
"I think he does and I think the
gentleman who wrote that letter had
a perfect right to write it." Burke
replied.
Dictator Charge.
Addressed to "Dear Christian friend.”
the letter read by Robinson said Presi
dent Roosevelt wished to become "an
absolute dictator."
"It sounds like one of the old ap
peals of the Ku Klux Klan," Robinson
shouted to the Senate.
Meanwhile, fresh talk of com
promise had sprung up. though few
suggestions appeared likely to bring
together the hostile factions.
Congressional friends already had
submitted to the President one compro
mise proposal, the nature of which was
not disclosed. They had received no
word, however, as to its reception.
Some on both sides held that a
likely basis for compromise would be
a bill requiring 7-to-2 decisions by the
Supreme Court to invalidate acu of
Congress.
Other proposals most frequently
discussed were to cut the proposed
expansion if the court down to two
new justices instead of a passible six.
or to combine the court reorganization
bill with a constitutional amendment.
7-2 Bill Passage Seen.
Senate liberals said a compromise
on a bill to require a 7-to-2 decision
would pass the Senate. The President
turned this down in early conversa
tions with congressional leaders on the
theory that it would require a consti
tutional amendment.
Some on both sides insisted the
7-to-2 rule could be enforced on the
court by a simple act of Congress.
Some of the liberal group most hos
tile to the court reorganization were
ready to accept it, including Senators
Wheeler, Democrat, of Montana;
Johnson, Republican, of California,
and Nye. Republican, of North Dakota.
A similar proposal, to require 8-to-l
verdicts by the court to invalidate
acts of Congress, has been proposed
by Senator Gillette of Iowa, one of
the Democratic opponents of court
reorganization.
Leading opponents of the President's
program asserted they would not ac
cept a proposal to increase the size
of the court in any form.
Nevertheless, some administration
supporters hoped that a compromise
(See JUDICIARY. Page A-3.)
MRS. ROOSEVELT HOPES
FOR BETTER D. C. RELIEF
Declares Congressional Interest
Here Has Been “Academic’’
Rather Than “Practical.”
Describing the relief situation in
the District as "very serious and com
plicated," Mrs. Roosevelt today ex
pressed hope that Congress will do
something to meet the problems in the
next budget.
More active participation by Con
gress at first-hand would be desirable,
she said at her press conference. She
characterized past interest as “aca
demic” rather than "practical.”
Robert Taylor’s
Grandfather, Aid
Client, 82, Dies
By tha Associated Press.
BEATRICE. Nebr., March 1.—
Jacob A. Brugh. 82, grandfather
of Screen Actor Robert Taylor,
died at a son’s home near Beatrice
last night of influenza and old
age.
Brugh, who until recently was
a relief client at $16 a month,
was moved to the home of Roy
Brugh last week.
County relief officers a month
ago informed Taylor of the eged
man's plight and Taylor promised
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