Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-03-14
JUDGE STAKE TALKS
ON so YEARS AT BAR
Many Tributes for Jurist on
Anniversary-Reviews Re-
forms Advocated

Judge william n. Stake. of Common
Pleas Court. who is today celebrating
his fftieth anniversary as member OF
the Philadelphia bar, pushed aside for
a moment the huge bouquets of flowers
that banked his desk. the letters and
telegrams of congratulation and resolu-
tions from court officers, and spoke Of
his career as Judge.
He addressed crowded courtroom on
some phases of his activities on the
bench and spoke feelingly on the re-
forms he had always advocated in deal
Ing with those brought before him
In whom he saw visions of better
things"
Judge Stake referred particularly to
cases In which he was convinced the
offender was not beyond the pale and
was n proper subject for rcformatory
measures outside OF the jail or work.
house. In such cases the Judge said he
took a special personal interest having
the particular man or woman brought
INTO his private chamber for n heart-to-
heart talk. He said he also had made II
his business To see the family and en-
ployers OF these unfortunates
In one case of prosperous salesman
who had lost his all through weak
ness for strong drink. Judge Stake
took the man in charge and made him
promise to make n fight to keep away
from rum
took this man under personal pro-
bation,' said the Judge He reported
or communicated with me at regular in
terrals. After time he called at my
Office one day and said. Judge I am go-
Ing to tell you something for which YOU
VIII condemn me. battled against
drink and even had myself commit ed
to Moyamensing for five days so that |
would be away from temptation.
know you will think this was weak of
me-"
Judge Stake said he told the man that
he was making the right kind of a fight
and In short time the man pulled him
self together. controlled his appetite for
drink. was restored to his family and
obtained his old position as salesman,
paying him $50 a week.
THAT is an illustration of that part
of my judicial labors In the criminal
court which makes life worth WHILE"
commented the Judge.
Juvenile Cases
Judge Stake also told of his exper-
fences while handling the cases of
juvenile delinquents and the domestic
troubles of the desertion court These
cases, he said, always made his heart
ache especially when he had to consider
the future welfare of children of tender
years He was a firm believer in exer-
cisng every power to bring about re-
conciliation to keep families intact and
to clear the way for man and wife to
come together before applying the stern
demands of the law.
Speaking of his activities in civic
bodies and the bar association, Judge
Stake said he compiled many years and
speeches, of which his wife and traugh.
ter were always considered by him hi.
best critics.
one of the floral tributes which espe
| cially moved the Judge was n prett,
bunch of spring blooms from his name
sake, William Stake Gallagher. agec
two years, son Of James ]. Gallagher
amanuensis to the Judge. Another hand
sCme floral Offering was from II. II
Battles, lifelong friend of Judg
Stake. The variety of blooms wer,
tastefully arranged on the bench. AM
after the presentation of each the Judg
| arose and thanked his well-wishers,
Judge Stake will be given birthda,
dinner tonight at the Bellevue -Stratford