New-York tribune., 1908-02-02
LAWYERS AND
HIGH FINANCE.
UNITS OF PROFESSIONAL
4DTICE TO CLIENTS.
Tiesrs of Prominent attorneys on
Both Sides of. a Timely and
mDortaHt Question.

,,--o.f,e- lawyers who advise and guide client.
=. .s,ip7 finance that they may break the
-. ~ the law. though not the letter, are
- .af more than moraiswrong and whether
-, ,,rblic can find any redress against their
...se = z question that presents many difficult
80 TIE rough judgments of laymen have
-, beer heard but not the opinions of the
-.-bs-s o< the bar themselves. whose liability
: Natural prejudice is somewhat balanced by
- raining and the sense of discernment
30 su Professional men, at least, lawyers seem
= .+,le 70 diagnose their own cases with i'm
-.-isIi-,-- and while pointing out the disease to
-.x,-she a remedy. Ii is little awkward at
= e,- The follower OF Blackstone to turn from
s,,-,-ev Of the morals and conduct OF others
: ~ oz-n but he rises to the occasion with
,is usual display OF keen Intelligence and pre-
- ,1o Iavrnan could hope TO cut so widely
- 5aap1v as the lawyer performing surgi-
csl operation on hiTnseif-at ieas'' upon the
members Of his profession
,-,onq the remedies suggested by prominent
,-,o-nevs in this city last week for professional
-,isaoi,g aside from the penalties Of the Grim
- r,c5e are an ADVANCE in public intelligence
=. ,s v-ould limit the field of chicanery and
-, bv The grievance committee of the Bar
,s " which undertakes TO correct pro-
.,sxio-sl evils not anlenable TO legal processes.
,ri6A difference OF opinion was disclosed by
-. --zes1igations Of a Tribune reporter among
oo-nors1ion and other attorneys. The subject
- al IT'S phases was approached with delicate
hesitation by counsel famed for their courage
n cor-ts Of lsT, but some were found who took
. ,-orounced stand on one side or the other,
.sserriug that corporation lawyers are deeply
y--onged OF that they deserve much that IS
sometimes imputed TO them
r was admitted 10 be difficult TO fasten the
-roof Of guilt even by q charge Of conspiracy,
,,on the professional adviser Of criminal deeds,
VINO is protected by the rule Of confidential
u-iriese end who moreover. skirts the edge of
Isx-breaking with adroitness. There are gen.
ersIlv no witnesses and no evidence OF a secret
conference 10 violate statutes Even the names
cf attorneys OF records and papers do not suffice
sE evidence Of wrongdoing. II is asserted.
Every one Is aware that the scheme Of the
wealth. rnalefactor' must have been arranged
by legal talent. Vet the proof OF the transaction
is mostly lacking Again in many cases there
is no clear dividing line between sharp prac-
'uce or mere -'unprofessional conduct" and alb
salute crirninaiity-
Il is comparatively easy TO convict the COM
mon criminal. because the nature Of his deed
usually creates direct and tangible evidence.
Difficulties increase with the refinements OF
sv-breaking- The most complicated conditions.
+ is stated. may surround the offence Of the
corporation lawyer plotting an injury 10 the
community He has contrived a long chain of
circumstances which il is almost impossible to
follow Up without a legal break becomes
Necessary in order 10 establish a crime. Motive
must ne proved through every step Of the a.
lsged wrongful manipulation, and there are
many chances. technical and ether. for him to
escape TIE rneshes of Justice