Omaha daily bee., 1916-03-13

CLYDE A. BAUMGARDNER
at this juncture that the highly trained.
skillful practitioner expresses regret that
the testimony appears to be inadequate.
and that II slightly different state OF
facts were present. the result would be
more satisfactory. On the occasion OF
the next interview, the chain has been
completed, A comfortable damage suit
has been born and is on its way to profit
able success.
only One Relief.
This crime. so deadly in its social in
fluence, is the milestone about the neck
OF our profession. It's operations are so
insidious. so protected by professional
privilege. that society is practically with
out remedy. We shall find relief only in
an enlightened professional conscience.
The old Hebrew prophet commends the
citizen who. 'sweareth to his own hurt
but he suggests an ideal which is a
thousand years beyond tho moral con-
cept OF our age.
TT Is true that our 'canons OF ethics'
contains a rule az 10 fees. which. II OBJ
served. would inculcate a sense Of aitru-
ism which we have never suspected. But
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material for associational programs They
rarely pass beyond the forensic and lit
erary stage. The whole matter Is largely
one OF opportunity. Commercialism de-
stroys every profession. Our brethren, the
doctors, are much disturbed because emi-
nent surgeons have solicitors. with whom
they divide the fees. This vice does not
inhere in the profession OF law. We di-
vide with nobody.
DisreHpect for Law.
Judge Amidon in a notable address
before the Minnesota State Bar assooia-
tion, not long since. said:
There Is an increasing lack Of re-
/ spect for law in America and upon the
legal profession rests part of American
disrespect for the law
These criticisms could be greatly mul-
tiplied, but they are typical and strongly
suggest that aside from the historical
basis for the lay tradition as stated by
Or. Pound. there are inherent moral de-
feots in the individual members OF the
bar. which are not generally reached by
the occasional Investigations OF griev-
ance committees and resolutions of bar
associations. shall mention but two or
three matters which conceive to have
proper place in this discussion:
President Smyth. In his annual address
at the meeting of our last state bar asso-
citation, called attention to the growing
spirit OF commercialism IN oar profess
sion II was a serious arraignment.
Rightly viewed, all professions are agen-
ciep for the uplift and development OF
the race. Commercialism distracts the
thought from the main purpose and sub
stitutes an idealism which Is foreign 70
that purpose. Wealth must not be TO
garded as the ohlefest end OF our profess
sion. Not wealth but service"
De BOrd Asks New Code.
| At the conclusion OF Mr.. Dryden's ad-
dress, William A. DeI3ord. president OF
the Omaha Bar association. pleaded with
the members to endorse the state associa-
ton presidents sentiments, and pleaded
with the members to live up to such a
code as outlined by him.
Resolutions of Respect.
Resolutions in memory Of five recently
deceased members OF the association
were presented and adopted. They were:
Judge Martin Langdon- Resolutions pre-
sass Dy consdon ns 0GSns GUhn RousSss
Charles A. Goss. A. A. Mclaughlin and
c. s. Elgutter.
| JuuRe William ii. MunBcr-fSebOiutlOns
presented by the following committee;
Arthur c. Wakely, William A. DeBord,
r, @; Young. Charles q. Mcdonald
presented by the following committee: j
A. c. Kennedy, George A.. Magney. John
J.. Sullivan, C. ]. smyth and Frank
| Weaver.
! James II. Van Dissatisfaction pre-
| sented by the following committees: John
j.. Kennedy. Edgar Morsman, jr.. Edson
Rich. A. G. Troup and Judge Ben Baker
short Business Session.
The dinner was preceded by a reception
and short business session was held
before the addresses were delivered by
the two principal speakers.
The association voted TO suspend twelve
members for non-payment OF dues. Some
OF these suspended members have left the
city; others were dropped because they
have stopped prHcticing. while some suf.
fered suspensions for not paying dues
The designations OF two members were
accepted. The names OF twenty-six ap
plicants for membership In the associa
ton were read They will be presented
for election at a later date
Matt Gering OF Plattsmouth. In a short
address before the association, paid q
glowing tribute to the memory OF Judg,
English.
The dinner and meeting was ATTENDED
by over $50 members OF the association.
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