Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-12-22
ROBERT Won MOSCHZlSkER
On the Law as Calling

"THERE is place and more than an even
= chance Of success for any young man
in the practice of law il he has high aspira-
tions. energy and willingness to work hard
acquire the necessary preliminary cduca-
ton and to 60 at it with tho will to sue
cced." This is the opinion Of Robert Won
Moschzisker, chief justice Of the Supreme
Court of Pennsylvania. The justice advises
such young mon TO enter the profession and
points ont that there are numerous oppor-
tunities for that type Of aspirant.
"In n general way" says Justice von
Moschziskcr. there never was time
which offered Il more open field to success
in the law than the present; but no young
man should enter it unless he really feels
the call. I mean by this that those who
are going into the law should do so with
high aspirations, and not merely as way
to earn living. Although the majority of
men who come to the bar must earn their
living by the practice of their profession,
and are entitled to a good return from their
work, nevertheless the law should be viewed
by them as something more than more
business; otherwise no real success, in the
big sense of that term. is possible.
"The law is the only means of holding
together the fabric Of organized society, so
its msnbers may live in mutual accord and
the body function as a whole under the sys
tenn in vogue with Us the Judges are tho
engineers intrustcd with the control of this
vast organization, the men ut the bar being
their first aSSiStantS-thOsC TO whom the
courts must look for help and support in
making the machinery operate effectively.
Earn Il Living Chief Object
"What greater calling could there be
than this Of keeping the wheels of organized
society moving in comparative harmony, to
insure continuous prosperity and happiness
on earth but, as | said before, the ma jOrty
OF young men who como into the learned
professions ar" compelled by circumstances
TO earn their livings in the field they enter,
and necessarily they are interested in the
prospects which the law offers from that
standpoint. As to this, in my CXDcricuCc
as n practitioner and on the bench, | have
never seen any on" come to the bar properly
equipped with energy, learning and II will
to success who has not achieved it,
'One Of the present leaders of the Phila-
delphia bar. very young man TO be az.
counted among the leaders, entered his pro-
fession only about twenty wears ago, WITH
out any important business or recognized
social connections, and by unaSsistcd ability
and push he has not only won recognition
as a lawyer but lucrative practice. |
could point TO many others both ot tbo
bar and on tho bench, who have achieved
an equal dcgrc" Of success under like nm
parently disadYantNgcOuS circumstances
The world holds forth large opportuni.
ties to those who have the propcr intel.
leCtual equipment for the law and are will.
ing to work; but work. work and tbar
more work while others are playing is thn
secret OF success nj the bar M il DrohoiIy
is in all other fields of endeayor HnT
young man with bent toward tho Iaw,
who is willing to travel straight and indnIgc
in the necessary effort has more than nm
even chance of winning financial srcccs.
in that profession today; and it ALWAYS
has offered opportunities for distinction Of
the kind which commands public rocost
milton beyond most other callings.
Education Can Be ACQUIRED
''Of course, the study Of the Inv roouiros
a preliminary education up to a fixed Stand"
ard but this can always be obtained Lv
those who are willing to strive for II no
matter what difficulties there are ia ovnr'
come, and when acquired education /. n
priceless jewel which can never be stolon
away.
Finally, the study of the law teooho.
man how to reason out the nrnnosi,inn
which confront one in life, and 10 raocb
right conclusions; thus II fits him 70 no,',
pete on more than even grounds in oitho.
the field Of public service or business 10 ba
decides not TO practice his profession So
called big business is full of men Who III, T
truthfully tell you they owe their S,oo.a vii
to early legal studies; 7 think NJ soSosss
notable figures in our local BANKING erw ce,,.
munity to which this applies, and the Iow
yer can be seen occupying positions Of com CON !