Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-01-29


in Louisville Ky, in 1856. In 1872 the Brandels
family went to Europe and Louis was trained
with German thoroughness in a realschule in
Dresden. lie never had a. college education,
so named. But he went through Harvard Law
School in two years, and the authorities had
to suspend the rules in order to let him
graduate. Then he took years post-grad-
uate course. The Civil War had played
havoc with the Brandeis fortunes, and Louis
earned his way through the law school by
tutoring. He had $1,000 left. Some time after
graduation he was elected an honorary mem
Der of Phi Beta Kappa.
Brandes began practice in St. Louis but
soon moved to Boston. There he speedily
won It high reputation as n lawyer. But as
his reputation as 1.-The peoples lawyer" grew
his popularity declined in some quarters and
increased in others, until he became the sub
ject of more bitter denunciation and enthusi-
astic praise than is usually the lot of any
one man.
Problems as His Teachers
People have said so many different things
about Brandeis that perhaps 1t may De IN
terestng to quote here some of the things no
has said about himself, his work and MS
beliefs. Asked how he has found time Tor MS
many tasks he replied IL have learned now
to work with others. AS beginner LOOK
any honorable business that offered. haVs
walked ten miles to collect $40 collectlon
account. But have never wanted 10 coh.
tinue in any line of legal work longer than
found it instructive. When the development
it afforded ceased l withdrew turning th'
job over to some junior, over whom mercy
kept sympathetic watch"
He disclaims having a complete PHILOSOPHY
of life. II am not a doctrinaire'" ne sayS
my habit of mind has been to move from
one problem to another, giving to each' "hi0
it is before me, my undivided study an
Democrat, but have laid most stress oh .,0
little "a Give men a free field Fro'iao
equality of opportunity-and we attain INV
New Freedom"
His mind works by lunches quicA'''
"The right or wrong in case Is evident y
me at glance, as soon as have tne iaes.
Then it is only task of arranging tue ias
and digging out the law"
He believes in property rights! "Ihe iss
eral Constitution" he thinks, needs MOI
be amended. Nor should our Judges ~
courts be assailed. Our Judges are as hoass'
as you can make men," Further Law ma
always been a narrowing, cOnseryatizns Po-
a Tory Government TO find great lawyers -
judicial Office but for a Liberal GoVerhl'eA.
it was hard. And so it has been throushY-'
history. Nearly all Of England's great iaH'
yers were Tories"
The tendency. as Brandeis sees IT.
steadily toward increasing governmental -
troll. This control must be social as wen
physical, because oppression OF the ii1
vidual, against which government Is
signed to protect it's citizens is no iOnse
physical oppression, but more suole -
of social and industrial oppression in9
piratfons of the people must receive a1
quate legal expression. The people ieei -
Inconsistency existing today between
HticaI democracy and industrial absolu'lsl-
The people are beginning to doubt Whs'ns. Ws.
there is really justification for the
inequalities in the distribution of wealth. :,
Brandeis has never held public o,A9s -
have only one life," he once said 'ano :
short enough. Why waste it on thinss -
/ don't want most? / don't want propeie :
money most / want to be free anu
when Brandeis was asked for his plii -
he had prevented Boston from sNiN7
West END Transit Company free hlN.9
he replied: There Is no Zee this y -
OF a plan Of mine