Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 2 October 1937 — Page 4

Y= Wash. When he went aboard his - radio-equipped speech was ended. However, it was _ believed a transcript of Justice ~~ Black’s talk in which he said he ~~ had abandoned” the Klan was ready

WETS

: hind time,, when it was too late

years ago.

BLACK'S SPEECH

~~ missed Justice Hugo L. Black’s ra-

ation with the Ku-Klux Klan, today

toa

A and the observations Black's former congressional col-

study.

ule would have put him in Tacoma

Borah (R.) said that he hoped

~ dropped.

(Mrs. Roosevelt’s Column, Page 9)

. Roosevelt rode in an open car, re-

ment ‘of scores of editorial writers

- Roosevelt at the time ~ Black’s speech, said that the President did not once give any indica-

the speech. There was no radio in

tach significance to the fact that

gan to speak, had it been adhered to. Although the Presidential party ~ was near its schedule most of the * time, there was a long delay at

the State executive mansion, and

. car’s radio.

STILLSPLITONBLACK

ISSUE AS FIRSTREACTIONTO TALK IS SEEN AS FAVORABLE

Impeachment Trial; | Resigned,’

| Did Belong to Kian. Justice Says.

(Continued from Page One)

. was to make a statement of fact from a man who was and

would remain a Justice of the he said:

Supreme Court. At the end,

“When this statement is ended my discussion of the

. question is closed.” ~~ Constitutional authorities agreed that there was no possibility of successful impeachment proceedings against Justice Black. They said that past affiliation with the KuKlux Klan was not grounds for impeachment. In Boise, Ida., Senator

the entire matter would be

“Justice Black stated the matter] of his relationship with the Klan as I understood it to be when I . spoke on the subject in the Senate,” Senator Borah said. “I understood then he had been a member but - had dropped his affiliation about 11

“He will take his seat as a mem-

BEFORE FD. R.

President Believed Studying ~~ Text and Gauging Nation’s Reaction.

WITH ROOSEVELT EN ROUTE TO GRAND COULEE DAM, Oct. 2 (U. P.)—President Roosevelt, who

dio statement of his one-time affili-

was believed studying both the address and the country-wide reaction to it. The President was aboard his special, heading back to Washington. Today he will speak at the Grand Coulee dam site. There stil was no comment from the President. James Roosevelt, his son, told reporters his father didn’t hear the speech. While Justice Black spoke in Washington Mr.

viewing the garrison of Ft. Lewis,

railroad car the

“dropped, discontinued and

for the President. This morning when the Presi“dent arose it was thought the _com-

of Justice leagues also was available for his

Ignored Black Speech - Senator Homer R. Bone (D. Wash.), who was riding with Mr. of Mr. tion that the subject was on his

d. Mr. Bone said: “We didn't hear

the car.” 2 Some persons were inclined to at-

Mr. Roosevelt shifted to the car without a radio, and that his sched-

at the moment that Mr. Black be-

Olympia when Mr. Roosevelt visited

he arrived in Tacoma an hour be-

_ to hear the speech over his railroad

ber of the United States Supreme Court on Monday. Nothing is to be gained by a continuation of the discussion. I hope the subject of the Klan will be dropped.” Senator Borah said he had voted against Justice Black’s confirmation not because he knew of the past Klan affiliation, but because he believed no vacancy on the court existed. States His Belief First, Justice Black stated his belief in the Constitution and especially in the Bill of Rights. “The Constitution,” he said, “is the supreme law of our country. The Bill of Rights is the heart of the Constitution. “The Constitutional safeguard to complete liberty of religious belief is a declaration of the greatest importance to the future of America as a free people. “Any movement or action by any group that threatens to bring about a result inconsistent with this unrestricted individual right is a menace to freedom.” Speaking very slowly he repeated the last sentence. Then, remarking that “no ordinary maneuver executed for political advantage” would justify a Supreme Court Justice making a speech such as he was delivering, he cited the events which occurred while he was abroad for a vacation. Occasion Is Not Ordinary “If, however, that -:maneuver threatens the existing peace and harmony between religious or racial groups in our country,” he said, “the occasion is not an ordinary one. It is extraordinary. «An effort is being made to convince the people of America that I am intolerant, and that I am prejudiced against people of the Jewish and Catholic faiths, and against members of the Negro race.” Such insinuations, he said, were refuted by the record he compiled during his two terms in the Senate. That record, he declared, “shows that I was of that group of liberal Senators who have consistently fought for the civil, economic and religious rights of all Americans, without regard to race or creed.” Tneluded among his friends, Justice Black asserted, are “many members of the colored race,” while “some of my. best and most intimate friends” have been Catholics and Jews. “The insinuations of racial and religious intolerance made concerning me are based on the fact that I joined the Ku-Klux Klan about 15 years ago,” he said. “I did join the Klan. I later resigned. I never rejoined. . . . ‘I Dropped the Klan’ “Before becoming a Senator I dropped the Klan. I have had nothing whatever to do with it since that time. I abandoned it. I completely discontinued any association with the organization. I never resumed it and I never intend to do so.” Justice Black’s speech was another highlight in the controversy

{ that has raged around the Supreme

Court since President Roosevelt proposed last spring to enlarge the Supreme Court by six justices. On Aug. 12, after his plan had been killed by a long and bitter fight in the Senate, President Roosevelt nominated to the Court the then Senator Black to take the seat vacated by Justice Willis Van Devanter of Indiana, who had vesigned on May 18. It was President Roosevelt's first appointment to the high bench. There were immediate charges in the Senate that Justice Black had been or was a member of the Ku-

“Klux Klan, which were not denied ‘by Justice Black. The charges first

were made in the Judiciary Committee and later on the floor in a speech by Senator Copeland. Howe ever, the Senate confirmed his appointment on Aug. 17 and two days later Justice Black resigned from the Senate and took the oath of office as Justice. He then left for, Europe. «

‘Man in Street’ Leans Slightly To New Justice After Speech

(Copyright, 1937,

by United Press)

After Justice Hugo L. Black finished his radio speech last night,

United Press reporters went into the

streets of the major cities and asked

persons at random what they had thought of it.

‘The replies follow: . Salt Lake City: L. C. Horsely, Railroad Stenophy—“I thought he was all right a begin with, since Roosevelt apted him. I don’t think he left doubt in anybody’s mind where je stands on the situation.” : O. A. Roche, Taxi Driver—“I used belong to the Klan, but that’s no on for holding anything against a person. Black was gallant. Anyody who gets that high is bound io ge enemies.” ‘New York City: Levy, Dressmaker— ‘He unded okay to me. I guess it’s

2Y J. Hendricks, Clerk—“I got no » for a Ku-Kluxer, past, present future.” [rene Frank, Hostess—“If Presilent Roosevelt says he’s all right, 211 right with me. It sounded a ”

)jperator—“Justice Black claimed 2 always has been tolerant, libminded and unprejudiced. He in’t have been 15 years ago.”

Admires His Honesty y Andrews, Store Keeper— ‘was frank about it, and I adhis honesty. But my opinion changed. No judge of the me Court should have any prejudice about him.”

that no former Klansman should be a member of the Supreme Court.” Los Angeles: H. C. Haroldson, Barber—“Lots of people will be wondering why he first joined ‘and why he quit. It looks like he quit the Klan for political reasons.” George Harris, Automobile Salesman—“A person who takes a position as a Justice must be way above reproach. Black’s speech left a doubt in my mind as to his real motive in leaving the Klan.” Has Cleared Himself L. R. Fitzgerald, Druggist—"I think Senator Black has cleared himself. He admitted he was a Klan member and I admire him for his frankness.” New Orleans: . Frank Herbert, Investigator — “Black’s speech lowered him 700 per cent in my estimation. Although ad-

mitting Klan membership, he didn’t | PoC

give his reason for joining it.” J. R. Diggs, Music Teacher—“I think Black cleared up the situation admirably. I favor his holding the position.” ! Made Case Plain E. J. Gill, Watchman — “Black made the case perfectly plain. The

Klan issue is no longer important.” |

Portland, Ore.: J. R. Paschal, Bus Driver—“All that’s ‘a bunch of baloney politics. Black did right to defend himself.

Text of

Address

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2 (U. P.) .—The text of Justice Hugo L. Black’s radio address

last night: :

Ladies and Gentlemen: The: Constitution is the supreme law of our country. The Bill of Bizats is the heart of the Constituion. : - The Constitutional safeguard to complete liberty of religious belief is a declaration of the greatest importance to the future of America as a nation of free people. Any movement or action by any group that threatens to bring about a result inconsistent with this unrestricted individual right is a menace to freedom. : Let me repeat: Any program, even if directed by good intention, which tends to breed or revive religious discord or antagonism, can and may spread with such rapidity as to imperil this vital constitutional protection of one of the most sacred of human rights.

I believe that no ordinary maneu- | SO

ver executed for poirtical advantage would justify a member of the Supreme Court in publicly discussing it. If, however, that maneuver threatens the existing peace and harmony between religious or racial groups in our country, the occasion is not an ordinary one. It is extraordinary. : During my recent absence on a short vacation abroad, a planned and concerted campaign was begun which fans the flames of prejudice and is calculated to create racial and religious natred. If continued the inevitable result will be the projection "of religious beliefs into a position of prime importance in political campaigns and to reinfect our social and business life with the poison of religious brgotry.

PERILOUS INFLUENCE

It will bring the political religionist back into the undeserved and perilous influence in affairs of government. It will resurrect practices and arguments Irom which this country suffered sorely in the 1920’s. It will revive the spirit which, in 1928, caused a national campaign to be waged largely upon issues unworthy of a free people. If will bankrupt many businessmen whose sole offense is that they have religious beliefs which do not accord with the prevailing religion in their communities. It will punish the professional man whose patients and clients boycott him, not because of lack of professional ability, but because there are in ‘his locality few members of his faith or his race. ‘It will again set neighbor against neighbor and turn old friends into new enemies. To contribute my part in averting such a catastrophe in this land dedicated to tolerance and freedom, I break with precedents of the past to talk with you tonight. An effort is being made to convince the people of America that I am intolerant, and that I am prejudiced against people of the Jewish and Catholic faiths, and against members of the Negro race. These insinuations are advanced despite the fact that, for the last 11 years, I have served in the Senate of the United States under constant and microscopic public scrutiny.

‘I DID JOIN KLAN’

My words and acts are a matter of public record. I believe that my record as a Senator refutes every implication of racial or religious in-

tolerance. It shows that I was of that group of liberal Senators who have consistenly fought for the civil. ‘economic and religious rights of all Americans, without regard to race or creed. The insinuations of racial and religious intolerance made concerning me are based on the fact that I joined the Ku-Klux Klan about 15 years ago. I did join the Klan, I later resigned. I never rejoined. What appeared then, or what appears now, on the records of the organization, I do not know. I never have considered and I do not now consider the unsolicited card given to me shortly after my nomination to the Senate as a membership of any kind in the Ku-Klux Klan. I never used it. I did not even keep it. Before becoming a Senator I dropped the Klan. I have had nothing whatever to do with it since that time. I abandoned it. I com=pletely discontinued any association with the organization. I have never resumed it and never expect to do

At no meeting of any organization, social, political or fraternal, have I ever offered the slightest departure from my steadfast faith in the unfettered right of every American to follow his conscience in matters of religion. I have no sympathy with any organization or group which, anywhere or at any time, arrogates to itself the un-American power to interfere in the slightest degree with complete religious freedom. No words have ever been or will ever be spoken by me, directly or indirectly, indicating that any native or foreign-born person in our free country should or could be restricted in his right to worship according to the dictates of his conscience. I have supported candidates for public office without reference to their faith. In my indorsement of applicants for governmental positions, I have acted without discrimjnation of any kind or character.

BEST FRIEND JEWISH

I number among my best friends many members of the colored race. I have watched the progress of its members with sympathy and admiration. Certainly they are entitled to the full measure of protection accorded to the citizenship of our country by our Constitution and our laws. Some of my best and most intimate friends are Catholics and Jews. Shortly after I moved to Birmingham, more than a quarter of a century ago, I formed one of the most valued friendships of my life with a son of Jewish faith. He was one of my closest associates and strongest political supporters. Months of our lives were spent together, much of the time in his home. He stood so nearly in the place of a father to me that while in the army in 1918 I designated this trusted Jewish friend as sole executor of my will. In my campaigns for public office his counsel and assistance were always mine. His widow, who was a guest in my home at the recent inauguration of President Roosevelt, was one of the first to congratulate me upon my nomination to be a justice of the Supreme Court. : When this statement is ended my discussion of the question is closed. I believe the character and conduct of every public servant, great and small, should subject to the constant scrutiny of the people. This must be true if a democracy serves its purpose. It is in this spirit that I now bid those who have been listening to me goodnight.

Drowsy Little Girl Interrupts Solemnity of Radio Address

By NED BROOKS Times Special Writer WASHINGTON, Oct. 2—The millions who turned their radio dials to Associate Justice Black's address last night didn’t know that the

broadcast was interrupted briefly

youngster who appeared unexpectedly in the middle

and called for her daddy. That unscheduled part of the program was enacted by Jule Hamilton, 5-year-old daughter of Claude E. Hamilton Jr., general counsel of the Reconstruction Finance Corp., whose home had been transformed for the evening into the radio center of the nation. : Pajama-clad Jule, awakened by the newsreel flares and the noise of the several hundred persons who had gathered outside the Hamilton home, romped down the stairs shouting “Hey, Daddy!” just as the Justice was in the midst of telling how he had joined, and then resigned from, the Ku-Klux Klan.

Turns From Mikes

The startled Justice turned from the battery of six microphones, grinned when he saw Jule’s mother silence her, and resumed his broadcast. The pause was a matter of seconds. Only the 15 radio announcers and

technicians and a few close friends |

and close relatives were admitted to the impromptu. studio, but some of ee witneses described the scene toay. The radio men were impressed with the perfect calm and poise with which - Justice Black delivered his address. . “He acted like a Justice, all right,” said one. Justice Black was driven to the Chevy Chase residence three hours before the broadcast time By prearrangement, his chauffeur ' delivered him to an alley entrance, a

‘ruse which outwitted the newsmen

and photographers assembled at the front entrance. “Oh, well,” remarked one newsreel man, “We've got plenty of his pictures in our morgue—and some of them aren't very complimentary, either.” ‘The Justice removed his topcoat, asked for a glass of water and then walking over to an open fireplace, Jew = sheaf of papers from his et. : : “I won't need these any more,” he remarked, dropping the sheets one at a time into the fire. Observers thought the papers ‘might have been a second, and longer speech, which the Justice told the announcers he had prepared.

by a sleepy-eyed, touseled-headed of the broadcast

The undelivered speech would have taken about 20 minutes; actually he talked only about 12. The Hamilton living room is furnished with Southern antique furniture and a small spindle-legged table had been placed for the radio equipment. Laden with the microphones, it sagged when the Justice put down his elbows, so it was hasitly replaced with a porcelaintopped kitchen table, over which a piano cover was thrown. Ten minutes before the broadcast was to begin, Justice Black made a brief voice test. Then, with his watch before him, he awaited the announcers’ signal. The Justice read his address from five typed pages of letter size, puiting each under his elbow as he completed it. When he concluded, he reached for a cigaret, inserted it in a holder and remarked: “Thank goodness, I had a chance to talk to the people.”

Wore Gray Suit Justice Black wore a suit of Oxford gray and a brown camel’s-hair vest. His shirt was white, his tie dark. He was freshly shaved and his hair was neatly combed. The women in the party were in evening dress. The speaker was “Mr. Justice” to all in the party except Clifford J. Durr, his brother-in-law with whom he has been stopping, who called him “Hugo.” The room in which the broadcast took place was small and could not accommodate the party. Some of them sat on chairs, others on the floor, in the hall adjoining the living room. The Hamiltons, the Durrs, Mr. and Mrs. Sterling Foster, relatives of the Blacks, and Miss Anne Butt, the Justice’s secretary, were present. The crowd outside lingered after the address had been completed but dwindled away when informed that Mr. Black had decided to spend the night with the Hamiltons,

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FOR HIS LINK WITH KLAN

What Does Roosevelt Say Now? Asks New York Herald-Tribune.

‘By United Press Editorial comment on the speech of Supreme Court Associate Justice Hugo L. Black follows: The New York Times—Regardless of when and how he severed his connections with the Klan; regardless of his record since he left it; regardless of the present views he holds, and his affirmation of faith in the principles of racial and religious tolerance, it is a deplorable thing that a man who has ever taken the oath of allegiance to a sinister and destructive organization should now take his place on the highest court of justice in this country. . . . At every session of the Court the presence on the bench cf a Justice who has worn the white robe of the Ku-Klux Klan will stand as a living symbol of the fact that here the cause of liberalism was unwittingly betrayed. : The New York Herald Tribune— The effort of Senator Black to suggest that he is the real protagonist of tolerance and that his enemies are intolerant is perhaps the greatest item of effrontery in a uniquely brazen utterance. Only a man heedless of the truth and a man afraid of his official skin could fall so low. It is now for President Roosevelt to speak . . . What does he now say of his appointee? Ohio State Journal, Columbus, O. —On the evidence adduced and by the confession of ex-Klansman Black, we believe he should resign forthwith from the Supreme CouriA of the United States. ? Des Moines Register-Tribune.— It was a smart .neech, very-smart— chiefly in not appearing smart. . . . He made the best speech the circumstances allowed. . . . It does not excuse him for not telling the President the truth about his Klan connections, nor does it excuse the President for the grave blunder of making a sudden appointment, of a cute political type, without bothering to investigate and discover such “open secrets.” Cleveland Plain Dealer—Cling as he will to the high principles he enunciated last night, every act and every vote of the new Justice will be suspected. The public will not forget that the man from Alabama once subscribed to the hated principles of the Ku-Klux Klan. He public repudiation of his former Klan colleagues comes too late to justify his acceptance now as a member of the Supreme Court. He goes tagged to his high judicial post. He ought to resign. Hartford (Conn.) Courant— Caught with the goods, Mr. Black had to fall back on his career in the Senate as offering proof that there is nothing in his make-up savoring of intolerance or bigotry. He valued this appointment more than he valued his honor. If he takes his place on the bench next Monday, as he is expected to do, it will be with the knowledge that his silence deceived the Senate. The gloud of moral fraud will hang over m., : New Haven Journal-Courier—Mr. Justice Black takes his place upon the high bench a confessed exKlansman; having secured confirmation at least in part by the concealment of evidence from the President -and Senate. Mr. Roosevelt and the semi-liberals are welcome to him. The sensitive will avert their eyes.

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 2 (U. P.)— Entitled a “Fireside Chat,” the cartoon of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, which exposed Justice Hugo L. Black’s Ku-Klux Klan membership, today depicted a flaming cross and a “K.-K. K.” radio microphone, Cy Hungerford, the cartoonist, had a field of K.-K. K. hoods serve as “air waves” on which the cross and microphone were drawn. Written by the Post-Gazette’s Washington correspondent, the radio speech said: “Justice Hugo L. Black of the Supreme Court pleaded guilty tonight to former membership in the Ku-Klux Klan.” “Records show Justice Black regarded himself as a member of Klan when awarded a life passport,” the newspaper said ih reprinting facsimiles of Klan records that were obtained by Ray Sprigle, PostGazette reporter.

2 2 2» Comment Is Brief A Post-Gazette editorial, “Steps in the Sand,” in briefly commenting on Justice Black’s speech said: “In his radio speech to the nation last night, Justice Hugo L. Black admitted he had joined the Ku-Klux Klan. He later resigned as revealed in the series of articles by Ray Sprigle.

“Subsequently, following his nomi- |

nation for the United States Sen-

bama Klan with a ‘card.’ This was the gold grand passport, the highest honor of the realm, and of course ‘unsolicited.’ In his speech of acceptance, he refered to ‘this great fraternity to which we beong.’ y '“Mr. Black himself supplied fitting: comment for the situation when on the floor of the Senate in 1930 he said—‘show me the steps a man made in the sand five years ago and I will show you the steps he is likely |

to make in the same sand five years |,

hence.” :

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By Unite Comment from public figures on

of Congressmen Differs on Explanation of Ku-Klux Membership

Satisfactory Statement, O’Mahoney Declares; Let Democrats Settle It, Snell Advises; Tydings Stands on Record.

d Press the speech of Justice Hugo L. Black

explaining his past affiliation with the Ku-Klux Klan follows:

LOS ANGELES—A group of Senators, including leaders of the successful Senate fight against President Roosevelt's Supreme Court enlargement program, now on a Congressional junket, heard Justice Black’s speech here. They commented: Senator O'Mahoney (D. Wyo.)— It was a frank and satisfactory statement which ought to be and which I think will be accepted by the country.” Senator Burke (D. Neb.)—“When the matter of confirmation of Black was before us, we urged him to come before the Committee and answer a few questions we should like to have asked him. He would have clarified himself on certain matters which would have smoothed out the difficulties. “I believe it would have been better had he not given any speech at all. There was a time when he should have answered questions but that was long past.” : Senator Tydings (D. Md.)—“I voted against Black’s confirmation. I have nothing to add or substract from that.” Rep. Snell (R. N. Y.), House Minority Leader—“It’s a Democratic row. Let them settle it.” : Senator Gillette (D. Iowa)—“The President appointed Black and the Senate confirmed the appointment. It’s a closed incident. He is a member of the Supreme Court for ife.” Senator Connally (D. Tex), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee—“I have always opposed the Klan. Black frankly admitted he was a member. Like many others upon reflection and realization of the error, he stated he resigned and abandoned it. Former membership is not an impeachable offense and it seems to me that the incident is a closed one.”

Address Was Fine, Says Klan Head

ATLANTA, Ga.—Justice Black's speech confirms what he has said right along, Imperial Wizard Hiram W. Evans of the EKu-Klux Klan, said‘ today—that Black is not a Klansman. “He made a fine address,” Mr. Evans said. “He told the truth about his former membership in the Klan, I have repeatedly contended that Justice Black is not now a member -of the Klan. There is no such thing as a life membership.”

Bloom Declares He’ Left in a Fog

WASHINGTON — Members of ‘Congress now in Washington commented as follows on Justice Black's speech: Rep. Bloom (D. N. Y.): “An Asso-

festified as a witness tonight and then closed the discussion. “I looked up in the dictionary the word discussion and it means a twoparty debate. After hearing Justice Black’s speech, I am just as much in a fog as ever. It seems to me that the higher position the more the holder should come out in the open We have not heard the last of it. Senator Reynolds (D. N. C.): “The radio address of Justice Black offers new evidence of his great ability and his record for tolerance. It was an effective answer to charges of intolerance leveled against him. When I voted for confirmation of Justice Black I did so because of my personal knowledge of his record as a Senator. His frank statement of purpose should convince every rightthinking American citizen of his honesty of purpose and his sincerity. Justice Black will make an outstanding member of the bench.”

Speaks for Itself,

Farley Declares

OTTUMWA, Ia.—Postmaster General Farley listened to Justice Black’s radio speech and said: “It speaks for itself.”

Minton, Returned From

Europe, Has No Comment

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2.—Senator Minton (D., Ind.), who sueceeded Mr. Justice Black as Senate Lobby Investigating Committee chairman, declined to comment today on the Black speech. He and Senator Black were close personal friends through association in pushing New Deal measures. Senator Minton was one of three on the list from which the judgeship selection finally was made. The third man was nley Reed, Solicitor General the United States. 3

Ex-Black Aid

Denies Klan: Ties NEW YORK—Walter Brower, special assistant to Attorney General Cummings and close friend of Justice Black, denied today that he was a member of the Ku-Klux Klan. The denial was to allegations by former General Sessions Judge Alfred J. Talley, president of the Catholic Club, who had demanded an investigation to determine “how many members of the Klan are stowaways” in the Attorney General’s department. Mr. Brower said: . “I am not a member of the KuKlux Klan. I hate intolerance of any. sort, and particularly despise religious bigotry. I have always believed that before the law all men are equal, and that justice should be administered without regard to

‘NEW JURIST'S SPEECH VARIED

4000 Lawyers at Convention Halt Proceedings to Hear Talk.

. (Editorial, Page 10)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. Oct. 2 (U, P.).—The American Bar Associa= tion interrupted its entertainment program and listened with restraint to Justice Hugo L. Black’s radio speech explaining his past affiliation with the Ku-Klux Klan. The crooner and orchestra leader Rudy Vallee was presiding as master of ceremonies and a crowd of 15,000 was present when Justice Black’s speech was relayed through the City Auditorium’s loud speakers. . There were subdued ripples of applause. Most of the 4000 lawyers registered at the convention were there. The convention had rejected resolutions condemning Justice Black’s appointment, recommending an investigation of his fitness serve oh the Court, and suggesting that a full Court or large majority vote be necessary to declare an act of Congress unconstitutional. The only resolution passed by the convention was one petitioning the Senate to require public hearings on the fitness of any Supreme Court Justice appointed in the future.’

Reaction Is Divergent

The lawyers’ reaction to Justice Black’s speech was divergent. Frederick H. Stinchfield, retiring president

President Roosevelt's Court program in. his keynote speech, said that since Justice Black sees fit to take his place én the Court, “it does not lie in the mouths of lesser citizens to say that the evidence indicates to the contrary.” Arthur T. Vanderbilt, Short Mills, N. J, the new president, refused to comment. In preparation for the speech, Mr. Vallee directed the orchestra in the “Star-Spangled Banner” and announced that it was to be probably the most significant address since King Edward’s abdication. Comment included: Frank Drake, Louisville—"I see nothing to discuss about such hypocrisy.” J. V. Grady, former Circuit Judge, St. Joseph, Mo.—"“A fine statement of Justice Black’s position.”

Black Hung Himself

ciation President — “Black hun himself.. His admission of Klan membership . . . is diametrically opposed to his statement of friendship with Jews, Catholics and Negroes.” Harold Neibling, Kansas City Bar Association President—*“It was a lawyer's plea in confession and avoidance.” Curtis C. Shears, Newark, N. J— “A fair and frank discussion. should bring an end to the entire controversy.” . Charles A. Cantwell of the Ne=vada State Bar—“My impression is that any man who takes the Klan oath thereby disqualifies himself for membership as a Justice in the

ciate Justice of the Supreme Court

race or religious persuasion.

Supreme Court.”

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