The Washington times., 1906-01-24
LAWYERS ORGANIZE
TO COUNSEL POOR
Legal Aid Society Made
Corporation.
r. R. BENNETT PRESIDENT
Permanent Offices in Columbian Build
ing, But Branches Offices All
Over Town.
r. R. BENNETT PRESIDENT

WashinEtOu's worthy poor VIII now
have legal aid whenever desired
plans for making the Washington Le-
gal Aid Society q permanent orsaniza-
ton have been perfected. Articles of
incorporation We're fined with the Record
e. of Deeds yesterday afternoon, the in
corporat0rs being Walter g Clephane.
Edwin c. DuttOn. and Robert r. Ben
nett. members Of the committee on char
titles and corrections OF the Washington
Board of Trade,
Six months ago the scheme of furnish
ing lceal aid 10 the poor began TO show
signs of realization. The mana cement
VIII cooperate with the Assoeiat ted
Charities and the committee on charities
and correction OF the Board of Trade.
in this way il is expected every dcserV-
ms poor man, woman, or child VIII have
the advantage Of free legal advice.
Big Lawyers interested.
As outlined in The Times some weeks
ago, the promoters of the great work,
which has been carried on for years in
many of the large cities of the United
States, are prominent members of the
legal profession of Washington or are
connected with charitable work in some
way,
For the last six months the work Of
the Legal Aid Society has been carried
on by Il halt dozen interested persons.
The rooms of the Associated Charities
have been used as headquarters, and
twice a week some one of these young
lawyers gave up al least two hours To
advising the poor, and IN several in
stances have taken charge of their cases
in courts, Tile cases became So many
thar IL was finally decided 10 organize
ana incorporate.
MONDAY evening. at a meeting in the
rooms of the Associated Charities, the
persons interested elected md installed
the following officers. Robert r. Ben
nett, president; Fred A. Benson, vice
president, James r. SHIRLEY, recording
secretary; Florence a. Colford, CORE
spending secretary; HaS1ld IL. Martin.
treasurer. Edwin 4. DuttOn was select
eel attorney. and Miss Helen +. Jamison,
assistant attorney. Miss Ethel Nj. Col
ford was designted a director In charge
of branch offices. with headquarters al
ell Z street northwest
Permanent Office.
The Office of the society has been per-
mancntly placed in room 6l2, Columbian
building, Fifth and ID streets northwest
Ii WAS also decided that the branch
office al the Associated Charities would
be continued. All applicants for legal
aid may consult AN attorney every Mon
Gay night from 1870 TO $50 o'clock at
me. branch Once. OtLer branch offices
VIII bee opened la the ''slum sections OF
The District ia the near future.
Officials Help.
The organization has already received
recognition by both the Federal and
District governments. Postmaster Gen
eral George Is. CortelyoU and District
Commissioner Il. 3. T. Macfarland having
accepted honorary vice prcsIdCuciGs.
OIhers who have become interested IN
the undertaking are ~. Y. Cox, pTesI-
I'D AT-srf la1 -
W Woodward. and Thomas +. Walsh.
ia discussing the formation OF the So
Clety MT. Bennett said. The society :
first practical operation was suggested
by Walter 4. ClJphaue. chairman OF The
committee ON charities and correction
oL The Washington Board OF Trade
Charles T.. Weller has also contributed
largely 10 the success of this undertake
ing. William H. Baldwin has been fOi
some time doing most valuable work in
this direction