The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-11-02
ID ESTABLISH FREE LEGAL AID BUREAU Lawyers Adopt Resolution
 to That Effect COMMITTEES REPORT Committee on Revision of Criminal Laws Will Report at Next Meet ing, Which Will Be in Nature
 of a Banquet
COMMITTEES REPORT

The Lawyers league held very im- portant meeting last night at F'raternal hall. Matters of concern not only to the lawyer but to the public came up for discussion and action.
 Reports of committees heretofore ap- pointed were made. The com rnittee on revision of laws reported that the committee was working hard o1 an exhaustive report to be made at the next meeting. A. Leo Oberdorfer, chairman of this committee. stated that the committee had been divided into subcommittee. D. J. Davis, chair man of the subcommittee on revision of the criminal laws, outlined what lis committee was doing.
 A committee consisting of Ben Da- vis George Huddleston, D. J. Davis, and ". c. Pitts was appointed to ar range for the next meeting which will probably be in the nature of ban quet.
 To Have Legal Aid Bureau
 Isadore Shapiro presented the maL- ter of a free legal aid bureau to be conducted under the auspices of the league and the following resolution, in- troduced by him, was unanimously adopted:
 This league was perfected to se- cure more efficient administration or justice in the courts of this state and we are to devise devices toward that end The league owes something to the public; it must be of service to the community We must demonstrate by our deeds that lawyers are, really as well as fictionally, instrumentalities Of justice. No higher service can be rem dered than to protect and assist those who are oppressed by reason of our inadequate or inefficient administration of justice. Many meritorious claims and defenses are not prosecuted or pressed because of the destitute con- dition of the claimants or derenoants. A competent, altruistic body to which a meritorious and needy person can apply for and obtain free legal aid would indeed be blessing to the in- digent and of inealculable benefit 10 the community;
 Hence, be it resolved:
 That the Lawyers league establish, under its auspices and supervision, free legal aid bureau, said bureau to be under the direction of director and four associates, all to be selected by the prGSlueHts anu thdl sdiu b"7 reau shall have full power to adopt and promulgate all necessary rules and regulations for its guidance and the performance of its functions"
 Fee System Resolution
 The following resolution on the fee system was introduced by Ben DaVls and adopted.
 "Whereas, on Tuesday. November 5, 1912, an election will be held in Ala bama to adopt a constitutional amend nent to free Jefferson county from the oppression and injustice of the fee sys- tenn; and
 "Whereas, the Lawyers league real izing that the fee system is the great est defect in our law, being the means of expressing the ignorant the poor and the helpless, or keeping our jails crowded, our criminal courts contested and the means of corrupting our elec- torate; and,
 Whereas, it Is now or never that the people of this county shall be released of the burdens of this system
 Be 1t resolved, That it is the patri- otic duty of every lawyer and citizen to go to the polls on Tuesday and vote for the constitutional amendment; and
 Be it resolved, That each member of the Lawyers league pledge himself to ge to the polls on Tuesday and work there and do all in his power to in- duce his friends to come out and vote for the amendment"