The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1916-08-04
WHY YOUNG
MEN GO IN FOR LAW

| San Francisco, July 30.-'1t seems
to be entirely too usual, when a rail
road or other public utility passes
| through receivership, for everybody
| connected Herewith - the lawyers,
| the bankers, the reorganizers, the Of
| ficers of committees and the special
masters-to regard the unfortunate
corporation a legitimate prey for the
most exhorbitant claims - claims
which would never be presented by
the same value to going concern
That is the prelude to a legal opin-
ion handed down here by the railroad
commission, approving the reorganiza-
ton of the Western Pacific. And, in
cidentally, the commission cut more
than $350,000 out of the graft of the
lawyers. All of which forces the con-
cluson that it is profitable these days
to be a lawyer, especially one work
ing for a railroad.
AS a sample of preposterous legal
claims the commission cites the
$1,000 demanded by the special mas
ter for his services, which consisted
mostly of reading a notice of sale
to some people assembled in front of
the railroad companys office John
s. Partridge, attorney for the receiv
ers, demanded $4,000 for ordinary
routine office service. The receivers
Warren Olney, Jr., and Frank
Drumm - wanted $4,000. Another
New York lawyer demanded $4,000
for being an attorney of record. An
other lawyer sent in an extra bill for
$4,000 to pay his expenses for a trip
to Europe, so he could stamp out
some bonds.
why Young Men Study Law" is
herewith suggested as a title for
scenario.
But Pacific Coast lawyers are not
alone. Others have shown they can
be great lawyers and make a pretty
good thing out of it.
The other day there died in Chicago
multi-millionaire named James R.
Moore, of Santa Barbara, Cal Moore
and his brother began their way to
success by being lawyers. They kept
their eyes open, and, because they
were clever lawyers managed to
amass $1S7, 100000 before they died.
Moore recently sold out his hold
ings to the Steel trust, getting close
to that sum for his enterprises.
Among these were the National Steel
company, American Steel Hoop COM
pany, American Sheet Metal COM
pany and others. Moore became ia
nous for putting the Chicago Stock
Exchange on the blink in the late '90s
by his juggling of the Diamond Match
company. Although the loss of this
concern put him some 100000 in
the hole, he was pretty soon on his
feet again. The organization of the
National Biscuit company was one of
his next ventures. Young man, be-
come a lawyer.
The other day President Wilson
named Judge John H Clark, of Cleve-
land, as supreme court justice. Judge
Clark was lawyer once, but he isn't
proud of it. While attorney for the
Nickel Plate railroad once he drew
this fine distinction, which showed he
had conscience: I'm a lawyer for
a corporation, but not a corporation
lawyer"
Talking of lawyers reminds us of
the Thompson legislative committees
expose of the traction scramble in
New York city. Fat fees, running
into the millions, were uncovered.
President Shonts, of the marlborough
subway system, got $4,000 as a
present, while Francis Reid Rogers
and other lawyers, one of them con-
nected with the public service COM
mission, were presented with bonuses
as high as $4,000 for having assisted
in the Reorganization" of the sub
ways.
Which brings us back to the begin
ming of this story and what the Cali
fornia railroad commission said about
reorganization" lawyers fees.