St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-03-16
LEGAL LORE FORLkBOR
The Lyceum Discusses a Bur-
eau Of Legal Advice for
Artisans.
A Plan to Protect Workers
From Sharpers Of Black
stonian Turn.
Rev. Vail breaches Interest
ingly On This, the Ae-
eepted Time.
A Generous Rivalry Among
Newspaper Men in Selling
Benefit Tickets,

The Labor Lyceum met at Labor hail
yesterday afternoon with a fair attend
ance, the usual number of labor men
being present, and also 4 number OF the
legal fraternity. Tie main speaker was
4. E. WisiizeRus. who spoke; in sub
stance as follows: There IS AT the
present time strong need in ST. Paul
of bureau OF legal aid and advice for
norkingmen who have small sums due
them from sharp and dishonest en-
ployers. When small sums are dHe it
usually appears that Workingmen must
risk the greater part Of the sum in
question when they ask for redress in
law. This has tendency to make bad
citizens. and leads Workingmen TO be-
lieYe that laws are only made for the
benefit of the rich. Many theories are
advanced to better the conditions
of the working people: but
the most important of them all
are those to better present conditions.
The plan proposed is simply to extend
the idea usually followed by mutual
benefit societies: A bureau=of' 1egalad
vice could. be established upon the
same basis, and legal aid could be eX-
tended only to members. 1t would be
necessary to i1iclude in the proposed
scheme only members Of we'll dis
cipiined trade unions. Business men
Gave a decided advantage Ill ali law
matters: they find it essential to hire
lawyers a. they do clerks. Working
men have but little conception of the
nature OF legal advice. Cases are too
frequent where workingmen. i'll iuSti-
tuting damage suits, find themselves
frequently the victims of lawyers who
profit upon the iGisfortunes Of their
clients. \ bureau of legal advise would
tend 10 keep Worklngmen better in
formed or all questions of law. Much
would depend upon the personnel
OF the central committee having
the affair III charge. 1t would
require about 5000 memberS-t0 make
the bureau practical concern. The
fees of the attorney in charge would
bership, and he should enter into the
work principally as a matter of
charity
The discussion then became quite
general and the plan seemed to meet
with a general approval. Complaints
were made that the present lien law
causes much injustice to men employed
in the building trades. Otto Uaese said
the idea of a legal bureau is by no
means new one. 1t has been tried in
several large cities in Germany, but
usually the plan is failure. 1t would
necessarily be charitable affair unless
the institution were made exclusive
enough to cOnfine ii TO only one branch
OF trade.
p. Kech thought that the evil lies in
poor laws being enacted. Ii invariably
costs more 10 serve 4 notice III a lien
| case than can ever be recovered in
court. Many workingmen are yearly
defrauded because Of this ineffective
| law.
Frank Valesh deemed thc plan of but
little Importance if some attention is
not paid 10 the enactment OF laws that
bureau would be subject 10 powerful
outside influences, should it became eff
fectiye enough to be Of any practical
benefit TO the members.
4. {. Ives thought there were many
ways in which the bureaus WoQid be a
decided advantage to its members, al
though railroad employees Nould moi re-
Ceiye the full advantage. When acct
dents occur corporation attorneys fire.
quently induce men to sign away rights,
and thus lose chance TO recover dam
ages.
Thomas Ward suggested that the ldca
20 NOihSO cttl Al tluCiiNtAi W a. II
would be of benefit to all labor unions
in the city.
After 4 general discussion it was de
cided to refer the matter to the trades
and labor assembly, and Messrs. Cas-
serly. Ives and ale5h were appointed
committee to personally bring the adj
visibility of the legal bureau before that
body.
On March % Otto Hacse will read a
paper on The ACCESSIBILITY of Holding
Il Constitutional Convention" Next
Sunday afternoon &. j. Casscls Will read
4 paper on the Australian ballot system.
The painters and decorators VIII hold
q literary entertainment this evening,
and a special effort is being made to Sc
cure large attendance. A pleasing
programme has been arranged The A.
.. II. hall has been secured for She Oc-
casion, but an attempt will be made to
secure Cretin hall. The following FRO
gramme will be rendered
~. al