New-York tribune., 1909-06-27
FOR UNIFORM LAWS.
Committee of Juists Hears Of Prog
resS Made an FOrtu-tpo States.

The committee on uniform legislation recently
organized by the National Civic Federation met
this subject, which will be held az Wash
ington on January 3, and :. The committee IS
composed Of leading members Of the bar. deans
OF law schools and members OF the National Com
mission Uniform State Legislation.
President Taft has accepted the invitation 70 de-
liver the opening address at the conference Alton
B. Parker. Amasa NJ Eaton Walter L. Fisher.
Frederick y. Judson. George ". Kirchwey. Henry
Wade Rogers and Walter George Smith Will have
charge of the speaking letter read from
eE-Attorney General Bonaparte accepting member
ship on the committee and stating that harmony
rather than absolute uniformity state legislation
should be tho end aimed at.
Ex-Judge Parker, as chairman Of the committee,
presided and told Of the progress of the movement,
saying forty-two states and territories had ap
pointed official commissioners and that in last
eighteen years they had obtained the adoption by
twenty-five states of a number Of important uni
form commercial laws. Amasa NJ. Eaton, presi
dent of the national organization of Uniform State
Law Commissioners. said:
of ahother not oniy 3 Spirtuay but materiay
As Secretary Root so well said in an address: NO
state can live unto itself alone Whatever dement's
or hurts the interests of any state ~ this
Union BENEFITS or hurts the interests of all, The
negotiable instruments law. drafted by experts for
our body. has already been adopted in thirtyeight
6ertI2- inol, fo or d06+o1 on @ f eI fhis hrfrein
into conformity with the similar English act all
uniform warehouse receipts act. only lately drafted
by our conference. has already been adopted in
seventeen states and territories. We have found
our greatest success in the formulation and adop-
ton OF acts relating 10 interstate commerce trans
actions between the states.
Dean George W. Kirchwey of Columbia Law
School said:
No more important work has ever been under
taken by the American bSr than that of bringing
about great degree Of uniformity in the laws OF
the several states 1t is standing reproach TO
our civilization that continue 10 tolerate the in
conveniences, the hardships the denals OF justice
which result from diversity Of laws.
In the case of marriage and divorce laws the
reproach becomes a disgrace The law is at bot
tom the formal expression Of the public opinion Of
the community, and expect TO find differ
ing laws and institutions But can
tend that the confusion and diversity of Amer
lea Jurisprudence has any such justification. It IS
one Of the most hopeful signs of the times that
the lawyers of country. under the leadership
OF the American Bar Association, becoming
aroused TO the Importance Of doing away with this
condition of affairs.
What is still needed IS aroused public opinion
which shall back up the official agencies and make
them effective. Here is opportunity OF the Ma
uonal Civic Federation, and I look forward with
nope and confidence to the movement inaugurated
by the federation to rouse the people to a Of
the importance of the reform which the lawyers
have begun