The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-01-17

fDtIN ND SOlIVlt UTUVlltE. OF 10 engage.
therein for II tariff or fees less than
that adopted by the association.
BE 1t resolved, That undcr the
rules of this assoaictlon. It's members
are prohibited from being Interested
In or from acting az representatives
of corporations which commit acts,
that II committed by individual mem
bers of the association. would be
transgressors Of the foregoing provi-
sonso
Your committee" says tho report.
most earnestly Urges the adoption OF the
foregoing resolution and desired to ex-
press the belief that failure 80 to do
may result iii the sprIneng up In this
city of condition of affairs that will
impair the usefulness OF the associat ton
and even irnperll It's existence.
Mr.. Canpbe1l's Explanation.
Discussion began Immediately after a
motion by Mr.. ID. g. O'Flaherty that the
report be adopted Mr.. Irving u, Camp
bell, general council of the Virginia Cor
poration Company, tho operations of
which were tho immediate cause for the
raising Of the question by Mr.. Mcclure,
read a lengthy statement, outlining his
position, defending the company and
indicating that IL the resolutions recom-
inended by the committee were adopted
he would withdraw from the association.
Slr. Campbell went over the ground very
carefully. He claimed that the business
OF the Virsinfa Corporation Company of
procuring charters, organizing CORPORA
lions and furnishing reports, is entirely
legitimate, and with reference to tho
charges, declared that 1t should not be
expected that company would eharre
as much as an Individual lawyer in gem
eral practice, who had such business only
at intervals more or less frequent
The companies organized for the work
and thoroughly familiar with II could
AFFORD to do 1t at less cost, md the bus
mess man. Mr. Campbell said, was entitled
TO some consideration. He scored n tar
III which would permit attorneys to charge
excessive rates for simple services and
cited recent instances where exorb,t,nt
sums had been exacted from clients
While not attempting TO shirk tbe re-
sponslbility for the papers issued by the
corporation Company, which caused tho
action OF Mr.. Mcclure Mr.. Campbell
stated that the circular referred 10 was
Withdrawn by the Executive Committee
OF the company shortly after II was is.
sued, and that the individual letter ,,pon
conference, few hours after IL Ie,t tho
Office, was held to have been a mistake
IN making these statements. however te
declared again that they did not in anv
way indicate that he had modified bia
position that neither the company NJ
us counsel was under ethical obligation
70 the association in the matter ~ tha
business of the concern.
Proceeding Mr.. Campbell called atten.
l'on 10 the number OF distinguished law
Fers connected with such comnanias q,
other cities and declared rather sarnns.
tieaiiy that instead of being under an
ethecal ban IL any of these men should
chance to visit Richmond they would
receive at the hands Of this body special
social and professional recognition a..
distinguished guests of honor" Moreover
ne SAID, number OF the prominent mem
pers OF the local or the State bar are like
wise connected with the same or similar
kinos OF companies, since the relation
ship OF counsel to these corporation com-
panies could not be differentiated from
tnat OF attorneys who represent mercan-
tlie ana collection agencies, the business
from which constantly takes them into
the courts, nor OF, counsel for banks and
trust companies which act as receivers
OF courts and as. personal representatives
OF deeedents in the settlement of estates
which also constantly takes them into
courts OF charcery; nor from ATTORNEYS
panies, which companies furnish coua-
sci to defend suits against their clients
for personal injuries; nor from the at
torneys for various other companies
which might be mentioned. All OF these
corporations solicit business by all of the
means known to modern commercial
methods.
In conclusion" said Mr. Campbell,
81 desire simply to state that my own
on ort nf MI T.,
In no way violated by the connection of
myself and other counsel with corpora
tions which come within the purview OF
the resolution; and as to my connection
with this individual company, I feel that
the laymen who invested their capital in
the enterprise are entitled to some con-
sideration; and for ethical and moral, as
well as financial reasons (Which last
named I will not minmize), shall not
abandon the corporation in question. II
you gentlemen take a different view of
this matter from that which entertain.
shall not and presume the other attor-
neys affected will not, embarrass you by
r. continuance of membership in this AS
ISOLATION"
Solicitation of Practice.
In the discussion that followed the
question Of the status Of attorneys rep
resenting trust companies and other such
institutions under the resolution occu-
pied prominent part, and while one or
two members questioned the ACCESSIBILITY
of the adoption of the resolution at this
time and In this form, the onl yserious
discussion of opinion Was over the mean
ing of the practice" the solicitation Of
which is forbidden,
1t was held that certain of the COM
panies mentioned did not engage in the