The Washington herald., 1909-04-25

Attorney General Believer in Direct Methods
Seldom EpadeS an Issue

months before graduation he had sue
cessfully passed the Pennsylvania bar
examinations. and he began practice IN
Philadelphia with Charles B. McMichael.
now a. Judge OF the Court OF Common
Pleas in that city.
Al Important change IN his life came
two years later when he moved 10 New
York City. where, within a few months
he entered the law Offices OF Strong K
Cadwaiader as managing clerk. That
was twenty-six years age. YET the assO-
citation then formed continued uutii his
deprture for Washington e take up his
official duties For more than twenty of
these years he has been a member Of the
arm.
Corporation Lawyer.
Habits Of study formed in early youth
have proved, in his case. the basis Of his
success. Slowly. but by sure steps. he
rose 10 the top Of his profession. and If
aI any time within the last six or eight
years. one had attempted to make a list
Of New Y0rk's S leading lawyers. the name
Of Mr.. Wickersham must have been near
the top. His practice has been large
and varied IN both the Federal and State
courts. Naturally. he has included
commercial, and transportation corpora
tions.
He has been. perhaps. best known for
his connection with the transit interests
and he is recognized as one Of the high
est authorities in the country on railroad
and transportation lava knowledge
which ought 10 make him a particularly
valuable man for Attorney General at the
present time He was counsel for the
subway construction company. and sub
seqUently, until a year ago. general coun-
sci for the Interbor0ugh Rapid Trahsit
Company tie alted as counsel for the
reorganization committee which straight
ened out the Chicago traction tangle. and
for the committee which effected the
merger Of the Mexican and National Rail-
road OF Mexico. under the auspices Of
the Mexican government Later, he be
came counsel for the Mexican Railways
Company. which took over the two prop
critics
Always an Active Worker.
In coping with the difficult legal prob
lens which have been presented TO him.
3Ir. Wickersham has been more than
"the Iigh authority who sits back with
folded hands and gives an opinion Of
hand. confident that It viii be followed
because il comes from him. He has been
always the active legal worker He
never gives an opinion. it is said. with
ont backing t M with clear reasons. and
his reasons are not based on reports sub
mirted 10 him by his law clerks. but are
worked out IN detail by himself He
likes work for achievements sake. and
is never happier than when surrounded
By hiEh heaped law books. he is seeking
the solution Of some knotty legal prob
lem And on such occasions burning the
midnight oil is as natural 10 him as
though he were the proverbial poor law
student
The new Attorney General Is quick in
thought and quick in action He de-
mands facts, but when he once pos
sesses them IL takes him a very short
time 20 make Up his mind about a thing
Nor is ne the sort OF a man 10 put of
a task because il is difficult or because
by a little ingenuity Il may be post
p0ned. He prefers rather 10 plunge into
a matter at once. The policy Of fencing
for time, or evading the issue. IS dis
tasteful 10 him. This does not mean that
he IS not a clever and astute legal cap
tain ready 10 take every advantage for
his client But ne does dash at the cen
I ter IL it IS possible.
4 Lawyers Estimate
Professionally 8Ir. Wickersharn' & most
striking attributes" said lawyer who
( has long been associated with him. are
+ his resourcefulpess in complicated legal
situations and his power TO dispose
( quickly and effectively of an enormous
amount OF work Indeed, HIS ability TO
/ dispatch legal business rapidly and his
( ingenuity in the solution OF legal prob
( lens are remarkable.
7 don't know Of any one freer from
( all bias or partsality IN the consideration
Of public affairs and the settlement OF
+ questions Of government than he is. de-
spite the influences OF his past profession
I al employment He has kept absolutely
I free from the business interests OF his
clients. and has confined himself strictly
10 advising them on the legal aspects of
. their affairs.
''The result Is that ne has no entang-
I ling interests ia any business or CORPORA
( tion which viii handicap him ~ his new
work. Finally. by reason of his temper
amental qualities and personality. ne fs
/ pre-eminently fitted TO cope with the