Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-09-28
LAWYERS AT ST. LOUIS.
Yesterday Afternoons Reports and
Discussions,


A dispatch from ST. Louis last night says:
A lengthy discussion followed the presenta-
ton of the report of the committee on juris-
prudence and law reform this afternoon.
The report was adopted with the exception
OF that section concerning the taxation of
property, which was referred to the COM
mittee on uniformity of laws.
The majority report of the standing COM
mfttee on commercial law, submitted in
pursuance Of a resolution adopted at the
last meeting of the association that the
committee be instructed to report specific
remedies in legislative form for any I'M
lawful combinations which may threaten
commercial intercourse, is based on the
conclusion that the resolution referred to
the federal power to regulate interstate
commerce rather than to the state power
to control commerce exclusively within the
state
The committee is therefore, of opinion
that until the existing exigencies provided
by law for the protection of commerce
against illegal combinations are further in
voked and their efficiency further tested it
is not necessary to PROFOUND additional
legislation extending the summary proceed
ure.
A minority report was submitted by wal
ter S. Logan stating that he was unable to
agree entirely with the conclusions of the
other members of the committee on COM
mercial law. His report concludes:
Il know of no better weapon that the
community has for its defense than the
weapon of taxation. l am the more con-
WINGED as to the effectiveness of this meth
cd of regulating large combinations in the
form of corporations when see the oppo-
sition to 1T that is made by the combfna-
tons and corporations affected. The pas
sage of such legislation would, I believe
go a long way toward settling in the inter-
est Of the people the important and vexa-
tious trust question"
Reports Received and Filed
A resolution was adopted providing that
the majority and minority reports Of the
committee on commercial law be received
and filed; and that, inasmuch as the re-
ports of the committee were not printed and
distributed fifteen days before the meeting
of the convention, their consideration be
postponed until the next annual meeting of
the association. Leave was given the COM
mittee to amend supplement the report,
provided that any amendment or supple
mental report be printed and distributed
previous to the meeting, as required by by
laws
The report of the standing committee on
international law briefly reviewed the more
important events of the year in the held
of international law, concluding the re-
view by saying:
1.-THE United States have done much to
promote the settlement by arbitration OF
international disputes. When once our
people realize that justice between nations
ought to be attained by peaceful means our
influence will be exercised in favor Of the
resort to such means and against the arblt-
rament of the sword And that infiu-
ence if we are true to our national tradi-
tons. will become more powerful every
year
Eastern War Discussed.
The report then takes up the Russo-Jap-
anese war and discusses it at some length.
Briefly the report states: TT is not for your
committee to pass any judgment upon the
merits of this war, but we do submit that
the Japanese claim is of a character that
affords just grounds for mediation under
the second title of The Hague convention.
The third article declares that The sigma
tory powers think 1t to be useful that one
or more powers which have no part in the
conflict may offer of their own volition, so
far as circumstances may make it appro-
pirate, their friendly offices or their media
ton to the states engaged in the conflict
1.-The United States might, as 1t seems
to your committee, very properly avail it
self of the provisions of The Hague con-
vention, and make an endeavor to put an
end to the further shedding of blood in
Manchuria.
Resolution Of Concurrence Adopted.
After the report was read the following
resolution was adopted:
Resolved, That the American Bar Asso-
citation concurs in the resolution adopted by
the national arbitration conference at
Washington January II, 1904.
Resolved. That copy of this resolution
be transmitted to the Secretary of State
of the United States"
The reports of the three following stand
ing committees were received and adopted:
Grievances, law reporting and digestfng, and
obituaries The latter report showed that
eighteen members had died since the last
meeting, a year ago.
A letter was read from Sir Robert B. F.
Finley. attorney general of England, who
was to have delivered an address,, express
ing his regret that he was unable to attend
the convention.