The Washington times., 1916-01-29
Brandeis a Crusader ,
For the PubIc'S Good
Nominee for Supreme Court Called "PeopIe's Un-
paid Attorney'-Forsook Quest of Mere Money
Years Ago to Plead for Social Justice.

Louis D. Brandeis, tho lawyer VINO
has probably secrifced more fees tnin
any pleader in the history OF Juris
prudence, has been nominated by Tie
President as an associate justice OF the
supreme Court If the C.ited States.
"The peoples lawyer" they call Mr..
Erandeis UP in Boston. Nearly twenty
years ago he led the nght for cheaper
gas in that cultured town-and he won
It. He was unpaid save by public ap'
proval. From that day TO this one
has found him in Oregon, Illinois, Ohio.
Washington, New, York and other
jurisdictions where some voice had 10
be raised in behalf of social Justice
tnd where remuneration v'ps of no cNn-
sequence.
Probably the most notable appear
ance of the "peoole's unpaid attorney.
was his appearance on behalf of tho
shippers in the per cent rate increas,
cases before the Interstate Commerce
Commission. That a man CT the at
tainments and ability of Mr.. Brandcis
should volunteer to serve without COM
Eensation in such an issue became the
subject Of nationwide comment
Forsook Quest of Money.
Years ago the prospective new justice
of the highest tribunal torsook tho
quest of mere money. He lad amassed
u comfortable fortune-every dollar
! earned by his brain. He became "A
pleader for the uplift. for social justice ;
the fee-less representative of the COM
nlon cause-whether the interests of Il
community or an under dog individa-
al were involved.
1t Is probable ;hat Mr.. Brandeis has
waved aside at least million dollars
In fees since he decided To become Il
crusader for the public good.
The United States Government may
not accept the free services OF any one
but II there were a way In which Louis
D. Brandes might donate his services
on the Supreme bench 1t is likely that
he would do It,
The career of Brandeis. of Boston,
has been a human interest career.
There has been little of the spectacular
in his methods. and yet the very i'm
portance OF his public service has
forced attention and columns of space In
the newspapers and magazines. His
| activities have ranged from telling rail-
| road presidents how the common car
riers of this country might save 81 900.
900 a day, to upholding before the courts
and at the bar Of public opinion the
justice and constitutionality Of laws for
a minimum wage scale for women
| workers.
Dynamo of Energy.
The man himself Is a dynamo Of en-
ergy. His brain Is one trained in con-
| centration. and yet comprehensive
enough to embrace at one time the
ramification Of a dozen issues.
How can he do it all?" asked an ad-
mirer once after Mr.. Brandeis had fig
ured successfully In State courts. be-
| fore the committees Of Congress. In
mass meetings and before the body to
which he has now been appointed. and
his name was linked with some of the
greatest issues of the day.
Physically Mr.. Brandeis doesn't APP
pear to be a reservoir of constant ac-
| tivity. His speech is deliberate. soft
| minus the vocifcrous echoes of tho
| demagogue. He wins by logic and even
| tempered pleading and not the rantings
| Of the professional crusader. He has
not cultivated the art of theatricalisu
in his occupancy OF the stage of public
! things He has worked quietly, per-
sistently.. but with almost uniform sue
, cess
His eyes are those OF the dreamer
and yet ne is intensely PRACTICAL. III
: ANALYTICAL student OF the trend oi
events. of finance, figures. big bushes:
and social unrest. His shoulders az.