Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1916-08-30
EbIHU ROOT WOULD
DROP INCOMPETENTS
Too Many Trying to Get
Something Out Of Country
and Not Serve
CALLS ON LAWYERS
TO GIVE SERVICES
Rr 10 united &c..

BY TIE United Press
CHICAGO. Aug. 3o.-Presldent Elihu
Root. Of the American Bar Associa,
ion. pleaded for wedding out Of the
Unnecessary and incompetent among
the $4,000 lawyers in the United
States in his annual address at the
epening Of the meeting of that or
Sanization here today.
1T is true OF the American people
generally" said Mr.. Root. that too
many of US have been trying TO get
something. out of the country, and too
few Of US have been trying 10 serve
It."
Basing his plea for efficiency in the
administration Of she law upon the
statement that we must get down 10
brass taoks in all our affairs II we're
going 10 keep pace with Europe after
The war. Mr. Root flayed our cum
bersome machinery Of Justice and
called upon the lawyers 10 forget
their selfishness and give the coun-
try a little service not only in law ad-
mnistration. but in law making He
and least experienced lawyers get
into our lawmaking bodies local
State and national Concerning the
aw and the lawyers. Mr. Root said in
part
There is great economic waste IN
the administration Of the law in State
and nation We spend vast sums
building court houses, paying Judges,
clerks and others. and the product in
Justice is disproportionate 10 the plant
and working force There is no coun-
try in the world where the doing Of
Justice is burdened by such heavy
overhead charges II all causes an
enormous waste Of time on the part
OF witnesses, Jury panel and parties
The ease with which admission "a
the bar is secured IN manv iurisdic-
lions and the attraction Of career
which affords living without manual
labor. has crowded the bar with more
lawyers than are necessary. OF the
ia 900 lawyers in the United States
very considerable part are not need
ed II that business we're conducted
like the business Of any great indus
trial or transportation company. whic'
Is striving for the highest efhcienc.
az the least cost in order 10 compst'
successfully with its rivals, a YER
considerable percentage Of the 1140oI
would be discharged
why do these defects exist in on
administration Of justice? The Amer
ican people are not quarrelsome o
litigious They are good nature
practical simple and direct in thei
methods. respecters Of law and homes
IN their dealings. Our bar as a Who'll
is courag eous. loyal and able.
think the underlying cause is that IN
consciously we all treat the bushes
% administering justice as somethin
70 b. done for private benefit. instea
Of fer the public service.
Mr. Root admitted that our basi
law should be redrafted but. he added
none but q prophet or seer could d
II. and none such was available
Committees on judicial reform wi
=, report tomorrow morning, and NJ
Roots address NAV form Part Of th
basis az discussion on these reports
Stephen s. Gregory. Of Illinois, fol
ner President Of the association, wi
preside at the evening session toda'
Former President Frederick W Lei
mann, o. Missouri. will preside tomoI
row morning, and former Presidel
Henry St George Tucker. Of Virgini
tomorrow evening
The meeting will close with the al
nual dinner Of the association Frida
nfchf