Drowning Man

Surrounded by newsmen, Republican Senate Leader James Eli Watson last week threw his hands despairingly above his head, closed his eyes, gave an imitation of a drowning man sinking for the last time. By these gestures the Senator meant to convey his feelings about the news that the Senate Judiciary Committee a few minutes before had voted ten-to-six against the confirmation of Judge John Johnston Parker to the U. S. Supreme Court (TIME, March 31).

The Judiciary Committee's adverse report on Judge Parker was a hard blow to President Hoover who had personally selected him. It was a triumph for the American Federation of Labor which had vigorously opposed Judge Parker for his anti-Union decisions, his conservative cast of mind; and for U. S. Negroes, who had objected to his political references to their race.

For a month Labor and Negroes had fomented political hostility to Judge Parker's confirmation, had threatened Senators up for re-election with dire reprisals if they dared favor the nominee. President Hoover had stoutly refused to withdraw his appointment. Last week he consented that the Judiciary Committee call Judge Parker for questioning, but the Committee voted ten-to-four against hearing him in his own defense.

Last week it was possible, but not probable, that the Senate would disregard its Judiciary Committee's unfavorable report on Judge Parker and confirm it. Senator Watson's drowning gestures told the story.

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