The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1913-05-15
ERSONAL INJURY LITIGATION
HLEwTT LEE SAYS DAMAGE SUITS WILL FORCE RAIL
ROADS TO INCREASE THEIR RATES AND AS A RESULT
PEOPLE WILL TAXING THEMSELVES TAKING
FROM THE RAILROADS.

feature of the meeting of the Mis-
Vppi Bar Association at Greenwood
May was the annual grafton, de-
red by, Hon. Blewitt Lee, of Chi
b, general solicitor of the Illinois
trial railroad, and a son of the late
Stephen D. Lee.
tr. Lees theme was "Anti-Railroad
Fsonal Injury Litigation in Missis-
pi;" timely topic in view of the
aeral crusade being waged against
ie damage suits, and the fact that
Prominent member of the Harrison
hnty bar is now charged with insti-
hng litigation of this character.
Ur. Lee said in part:
RAntfRailroad Injury Litigation in
hsissippi," / have been advised not
SAY anything in public about this.
least not in the presence of a
rgyman. that it would do no good,
would be sure to make everybody
ID But ! know the people of Mis-
kippi too we'll to believe that if
bre is anything wrong in the old
Ute, they will not resent hearing about
Tor having it discussed in reason.
he way. know them to be honor.
ue, upright folk, with no rottenness
I their bones, and l do not believe
ht they know, or even that the
dges and lawyers know just what
b present situation is in Mississippi
compared with that in other states.
have been watching this character of
hgation in Mississippi for a number
Iyears, and the condition which orig
ally was not different from that in
kr sister states, has gradually come
be unique and peculiar in a way
hich even Mississippi lawyer might
hrdly suspect. Sometimes the OBJ
krver of a battle sees things which
he lost to the view of the contending
bsts. | want to speak to you from
be standpoint of such a spectator
no looks from afar upon a dusty and
moky but desperate battle. l want
} say right at the outset that | favor
improvisation to persons injured by
nlroads, both adequate and certain.
Twill probably go further than most
you in that direction, for l would
kyor law giving compensation with
BIT regard to whether the railroad
pmpany was negligent or not, or
fhether the person injured was negli-
ent or not, provided the amount to
b paid was kept within reasonable
punds. In the actual operation of the
burts we have pretty nearly reached
bat point already except that no limit
fhatever is imposed upon the amount
Fhich the defendant may be made to
ay. | want to say also that am not
opposed to contingent fees where a
pient is not able to compensate his
punsel otherwise. l recognize that
kwyers have to be paid for their ser
ices, and until the state will pay a
}oor mans lawyer, there must be con.
ingent fees, as the lesser of two evils
When speak on the damage suit
BUSINESS, | am not speaking of the
conduct of personal injury cases by
honorable men in the honorable way
But I have in mind that which old
common lawyers would have called
4hamperty and maintenance in case
bf lawyers and perjury in case OF
kients. What / have to say applies
bot only to lawyers and clients, but
b physicians, to juries and judges
md especially to public opinion which
Fnles over all. The truth is that the
|aw Of master and servant in this
country has been utterly outgrown. II
vas never founded upon abiding prin
tiples. The people have gone to the
heart of the trouble by rendering YER
dicts which have said in effect-this
Door fellow has got hurt. Somebody
must take care of him. The state has