THE PRESIDENT'S PLAN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23118, 18 February 1937, Page 9

THE PRESIDENT'S PLAN

ADDITIONS TO JUDICIARY FURTHER RADIO ADDRESSES WASHINGTON, Feb. 16 (Received Feb. 17, at 10 p.m.) Mr M’Adoo and Senator Thomas, in radio addresses, urged support for President Roosevelt’s Judiciary programme. Senator Van Nuys also spoke over the radio, opposing the portion of the plan relating to an increase of the Supreme Court. Mr M’Adoo said: “ I challenge anyone to show that the plan is the result of dictatorial power by President Roosevelt. I cannot conceive that the President’s power would be increased or decreased by an increase in the court membership.” Senator Thomas said that the plan was necessary, due to advices by the judiciary resulting in a virtual oligarchy. The changes were necessary to restore democracy Senator Van Nuys contended that the people should be the ones to readiust any unbalancing or checks to the Government, such as that complained of by President Roosevelt. Senator Van Nuys favoured the judiciary programme with the exception of an increase in the court He insisted that the Congress should not begin tampering with the courts or tinkering with the Constitution In a debate in the Congress Representative Murdock said a change in the court would make United States Parliamentary Government similar to that in England. Labour’s Non-Partisan League announced the calling of 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. The Michigan Senate and the Massachusetts and New Hampshire Houses voted resolutions opposing President Roosevelt’s programme.