New-York tribune., 1908-12-17
DR.. ELIOT ON CRIME
| CIVIC FORUM SPEAKER.
Hnruard's President Criticises Pres
ent Judicial Systems.

President Eliot of Harvard University delivered
address La wlessness' before the GIVE
Forum, at Carnegie Hall. last night The disttn-
guished pedasog1e discussed under that category
nearly every conceivable phase Of violations OF laws
OF the municipality state and nation, including
common crimes of the feonious type. dishonesty IN
corporations the rtoting OF labor unions and bribery
in politics. said that the spirit Of ialessness
is ever fostered by the packing OF courts by ex-
ecutive appointment and the contradiction Of each
other and long delays Dr. Eliot said or this point
often fostered lawessness. Thus, states nave IN IN
derbid other stat as offering easy te 1ia5 OF court
decisions and have reproached judges for giving
decisions contrary TO the policies OF Jae Dronf
nents in order to procure from those same he
wishes or opinions of the executives Courts them
selves have contradcted each other have go go
an opinion on the merits OF the case have divided
e 5rarh+ 1 port n}o 90 contempt BY long delays
by reversals OF Judgment and by 1nll.lP5 l5 nv
these causes failures Of justice occur the courts
are brought into contempt and the spirit OF ID
lessness is fostered-
The Rev. Dr. Lyman Abbott. who presided over
the meeting in brief speech paid tribute TO Dr.
Eliot and Harvard, saying
That Harvard University has grown during Lhis
ue I rom & 4 HeT EngianJ @ oones modern NJ culture
and modern science have gone tnat 1t mas groNn
with approximately equal appeal to the religious
instincts OF men whether PTofesLant OF 70ltf- I
that II has kept pace with the widening influence
OF New England and the marvellous growth Of the
nation and has been one Of the foremost factors
in promoting that widening influence and pro-
to President Charles ". Eliot He has ten
dered his resignation as president OF the unIver5itE
WLch ne mas zone so .lucn @ To- 20 80 ;, -asis-7
f tT pstidn1 s form 5cE Is 1Iavs open
to him. so long as he has health and strength 20
Apostle of liberty IS re has always been In edu-
cation; in industry: in government and in Telision:
but willing conformity to the divine laws OF
senting him to you.
President Eliot placed on society at large the
chief responsibility for Iawessness because Of its
neglect to provide the protective forces necessary
order and peace.
1T permits lawless persons to carry with i'm
punity their operations against public welfare
he said. 1T declines association with burglars and
forgers, but not with dishonest promoters, corrupt
officials and lawyers who teach their clients TO
evade laws" The American people respect the law
OF liberty. Dr. Eliot said but lawlessness is
a violation OF the Of liberty. Police protec-
ton. he declared. insufficient IN every city OF
the country. The speaker added:
Our defence against crime Is broken down. and
the impunity with which crime is committed is
disgrace to the country
Dr. Eliot said of the phase of corporation law
Iessness:
Any man or any corporation who conducts his
morally lawless person. though he never get over
ne edge. and any person arTn or corporation @
evil example in the community An hsbitual law
eveder IS almost bad habitual law
breaker.
In the interest OF the cCurunitf some states
impose restrictions on the conduct Of business
which other states carefully avoid imposing Thus
may do things under of Incorporation
obtained in Maine New Jersey which one could
under a Massachusetts New York act
and yet the restrictions imposed in Massachusetts
and New York presumably for the good or
those communities, and OF any communities They
have been imposed by the legislatures for good and
sufficient reasons. The presumption therefore IS
that the man, the firm, the corporation, thar
wishes to these restrictions, is moved by the
hope of selfish advantage the injury OF his
nefzhbors or of society at large T1 call such
man or firm Iavless would be going far. but
II is certain that who thus act are not living
I'D the best standards Of their calling or OcCC-
patton. and taking due account Of the pub
lie welfare
business crtons which have to be kept secret
between buyer and seller between agents and
their principal
On the subject Of legislative bribery the speaker
characterized the briber worse than the man
who accepts the bribe- As to the Iawlessness Of
labor unions Dr. Eliot said that II IN the
form OF violence. based solely desire 70 get
money. and therefore was 4 particularly Of
fensive form The public. he said, might sympa-
thize with the demands Of the unions, but would
Sv77ps sthfZe Iaul=ssress