The Washington herald., 1911-07-16

Office. A freight agent was expected to
obtain business. Financially, he wasn't
benefited a penny when he promised a
rebate TO a shipper. For sixteen years,
therefore, rebating went on unhampered.
In 1903, however. the law was changed
so as to penalize corporations by heavy
fines. II It could be established that a
drawback had been allowed on a car of
meat. oil, or iron. the fine. under the
statute. Seuld be $4,000 Directors and
influential shareholders Of railroads.
apathetic before, when threatened with
money penalties that might wipe out
their dividends and reduce the value Of
their property. stopped rebating at once,
or reduced 1t 20 a negligible practice.
This little scrap from our own history
proves that fines are often useful"
why is the disobedienCe of law so
general in the United States?'
Because of the mawkish sentimental
ism of the people. Public sympathy
seems to be with the criminal. The
legal execution of a murderer by elec-
tricity or the rope is the only taking OF
human life that appears to be objection
able. Indict a person for some crime.
and strangers become his friends and
cutting officers.
Pleading and PetitiOning for Morse.
Il don't care to hit a man who is in
prisd but the case of Charles W.
Morse is to the point in answering your
question. I delayed his trial for eleven
months. partly to let hostile feeling quiet
down. He was fairly convicted. Then
began a terrific pressure to halt the
punishment that his acts justly deserved.
Tens of thousands of leading citizens
became active in his behalf. The whole
country seemed outraged at the thought
of his going to Jail. Go ask President
Taft about the. million OF men, almost.
who have been pleading and petitionins
night and day for the pardon of Morse.
So long as sympathy is with the GRIM
inal, laws will be disObeyed."
What kind of a farm have you on
Long Island?"
"Oh, 1 own about 100 acres OF rough
land, some of which 1 cultivate. Hay
is my principal crop. When I have
more than I need, 1t is sent to market"
Leaving the law school at Harvard
in $780," remarked, you obtained a
place with Elihu Root?" .-
"Yes. See here, my father said, you
ought to get into an important ofice.
William c. whitney tells me that Elihu
Root is one of the greatest lawyers in
the world, and it is his suggestion that
YOU go with him, II possible Mr.. Whit
new and my father were class-fellows at
Yale. Much has been printed about him
in recent years, but I shall always re-
member his help with gratitude. Mr..
Root took me in. and 1 hasten to say
that it was the most fortunate\connec-
ton I ever had as a lawyer. 1 watched
every move he made. Now that I am
older and more experienced. know what
Mr.. Whitney said about him was literally
true. Senator Root is a profound and
brilliant lawyer and. in my opinion.
stands at the head OF the American bar"
After a year and three MONTHS OBJ
served. and the fact is witness to Sec
rotary Stimsons own ability and indus
try, you were admitted as a partner In
the firm?"
MY interest was small" Secretary
Stimson replied. smiling and showing his
teeth. which are as large as Roosevelt's
and white as porcelain. but my name
was on the door"
toOpgrisht lsl. hg James B. MorOw)