The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1920-08-25
LEGISLATIVE
REFORM ASKED
Proposals Placed Before
American Bar Asso-
citation
UNIFORMITY FOR
STATE STATUTES
Maintaining Bar on High
Level Was Also Under
Consideration

st. Louis, Aug. 25.-Comprehensive
legislative reforms were before the
American Bar association for consider
alton as the organization convened
in annual session here to day.
The proposed changes, covering a
! wide range, were presented in reports
| submitted by various committees. They
i tended in part toward uniformity for
state statutes and modernzation Of
/ certain federal court procedure.
| Discussion Of methods for maintain
ing the standard of the bar on high
! level also promised to hold an impor
tant place in the convention,
A report prepared by the committee
on professional ethics and grievances,
judiciary throughout the United States
indicated that prevailing sentiment ia
yored the incorporation OF the bars of
various communities, with the Canon
of Ethics rs part of the constitution
of the corporations, which would have
full power to supervise the conduct of
all practicing attorneys.
In advocating legislation that would
empower the supreme court to pre-
scribe rules for common law procedure
in federal courts, report from the
committee on uniform judicial pro-
eedure stated this would have the eff
feet of doing away with long drawn
out litigation, and would tend to inn
prove state court procedure, through
the adoption of the federal system as
a model This latter would also mark
an important step toward unifying
state statutes, the report explained.
A further measure of suggested re
form urges application of the law
governing removal of causes to def
nitely settle the question of district
court jurisdiction,
1t Is urged also by the committee on
Jurisprudence and law reform that leg |
islation he enacted to provide more
adequate protection for the treaty |
rights of foreigners in the United |
States.
The association will be called upon |
TO endorse ratification Of the peace |
treaty, including the covenant of the I
league OF nations, without amend i
ments, in a majority report presented
by special committee. A minority
report from the committee dissents.
Another report from a special com
mittee declares that the interval be
tween the election and Inauguration of
a president i~a serious evil, fraught
with much danger, because, If an adj
is diseredited By popu-
lar vote of want of confidence the
prestige of the government at home
and abroad is weakened and there is
danger of humiliation and disaster to
the republic" This report urges that
the dates be brought. closer together,
but makes no recommendations as to
other dates. II also advises abandon
ment of the short session OF the re-
firing Congress.
While the general convention is in
session, various sections Of the assoei
alton win meet to consider specific
branches Of legal practice, for report to
the main body. Included in these will
he the section on comparative law, pat
mt. law and legal education.
The general council Of the sssocia
ion viii be elected tonight
Many prominent speakers are ex-
,ected to appear before the convention.
included among them are Sir Auckland
geddes. British ambassador to the
United States; former United States
senator Albert J. Beveridge of Indiana
md Judge Ben r. Lindsey Of Denver
The convention will end Friday night
With the annual banquet. Hampton J..
arson Of Philadelphia is president Of
Bar association.