New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-09-15
SAYS FEWER LAWYERS
IS NEED OF COUNTRY
Dean Ashley Asserts Ignorant
Bar and 0utWorn Legal SyS-
tenn Are National Evils.
WANTS BETTER SCHOOLS
Attacks Jury Selection Delay
and Recommends Graduate
Course for Special Study OF
Nations Institutions.

Clarence ID. Ashley. dean OF the New
York University Law School, said last
night that the country needed fewer law
yers. an abolition Of the New York Code
OF Civil Procedure and a keener apprecia-
ton Of "sittlichkeit," the German word
Lord Haldane used to express his views
at Montreal on higher nationality. All
these views ware contained in n report TO
Chancellor Brown Of New York Uni
versity.
we need fewer lawyers" said Dean
Ashley. but those we have should be
highly trained. literally educated men.
There is a very general belief among fair
minded men that our legal system Is an
tiduated. technical and III adapted TO
present day needs To some extent this
belief is Justified. We need complete
fundamental change. The public perceives
that something is wrong in the admins
tration 81 Justice and the view is reached
that the law itself is defective.
AS "A matter OF fact. one important
element Of the existing evils Of admins
tration is the crude conception of law on
the part of many who are allowed 10
practise For years We have been ad-
hitting TO the bar all over the United
states poorly educated lawyers. Such a
state Of affairs is bound 10 result in evil.
II is vital that the best law schools should
be encouraged
Then. in a very complete manner. Dean
Ashley fred his shot at the New York
Code OF civil Procedure. He said.
"Our civil procedure is frequently COM
plicated beyond description. This is es-
peclally true in the State Of New York.
our rules OF evidence should be greatly
modified. II not done away with entirely.
For instance, the rules against hearsay
are subject TO thirteen exceptions Of
confusing nature and based upon no un-
deriving principle. Why not leave the en-
tire question 10 the sound discretion OF
the trial Judge. just as We do that OF
materially"
Commenting further on needed changes,
he said:
In the law OF real property very much
could be simplded. and 80 on through the
list In criminal law such modcrnizatlon
II still more imperative. The time occu-
pied In selecting jurles In murder cases
has often become scandal But all these
changes should be made after "a thorough
matter for politicians. nor for commits
sions drawing large salaries. and very
few lawyers have the necessary intel
lectual equipment.
our proposed graduate course may
We'll lead 20 investigation OF these burn
ing questions. and we can thus help
toward q correct solution. our plans for
this course have not been worked out.
but the idea which IL is proposed 20 de-
velop Is one OF importance. The questions
before the country require profound
study Of our institutions. and we need
men who In addition TO a thorough
knowledge OF our law. have also had a
wide and varied personal experience. Not
only do our great economic questions re-
quire skilled legislation. but notifications
in our form OF government should be
made only by those who fully understand
the present laws and the cause OF evils
which may exist"
Then. IN few brief concluding words.
Mr.. Ashley expressed sentiments thor
oughly in harmony with those OF the Lord
High Chancellor OF Great Britain. VS.
count Haidanc:
There Is an important and decided
Increment throughout the bar OF the
United States and Of England looking
toward the maintenance Of the high
ethical standard Of the legal profession
1t Is admitted that many evils have crept
into the practice OF law. Commercalism
and tho bitter struggle 10 meet fierce
competition have led TO unwilling or I'M
conscious transgresslons by young men
who have failed TO grasp the true ideals
OF their profession"