The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-07-20
The LalUyer's Work Is
Important, of Course

very able lawyer, an article published setting
forth that lawyers life devoted largely to settling
quarres of other men, many Of those quarrels not I'M
portan and that this using great ability In work
world.
The following letter is received from lawyer, Mr.
Horowitz:
To the Editors
Between the lines your editorial voices the view,
too often held by the uninteigen and inexperienced
that lawyers class, parasites and MI no use
full position in society. But you know BETTER ana you
know that the opportunity of the lawyer to do con-
strucve work is greater than that of the layman and
that the work of lawyers of the past and present
vital factor in the upbuildng OF civilization and
is the keystone without which the structure would fall
There is Talmudic proverb to the effect that
"were it not for the fear of the government, man
would swallow his neghbor alive" You know human
nature well enough to understand that that IS bit OF
wisdom that applies with undiminished force today
Lawyers make the laws, crystalline them, from the
bench expound them, and have much to do with en-
forcing them What is more constructive than thatf
1t is because of them and their work that we are able
to live in civic peace and have protection against each
other, that of us may safely do other Soon
structive' work.
The lawyer, as you say, devotes his energy to the
"quarrels and troubles of other men," But in ad-
dton his energy is also devoted to building up the
business of other men, and to give them in many ways
the benefit of his broader experience.
Even assuming that the lawyer does at times ap-
pear to obtain unmerited benefits for his Client yet in
general the lawyer does settle the quarrels, end the
troubles and solve the problems of other Such
work is constructive and eminently worth while. The
work of the lawyer, by its very diversity gives him
opportunity for higher intellectual development clar-
fees his reasoning power and gives him wider per-
spectve than is possible in most other lines of human
.endeavor.
Yours very truly J. l. H.
The general statement is perhaps accurate But the
Tamudic saying to this writer, does not apply to
what call civilization today. Many honest,
regardless of fear of the government" and in
clined to "swallow each other alive
Lawyers have contributed to civilization by formu-
latng just laws for lawyers usually called in where
the making of laws is concerned But it should be OBJ
served that the most important laws which indicate the
progress of civilization do not a rule ORIGINATE in
the brain of the lawyer John Brown no lawyer 1t
his determination that wrote into the Constitution
the amendment ending slavery. lawyer undoubtedly
worded it; the great army of aboltioniss created it.
And the prohibition amendment. Women had more
to do with that than any lawyer although lawyer ormu
lated the wording And with practically all great
progress in law which progress in civilization from
the days of Hammurabi to the days of Volstead.
Concerning lawyers this is true-the great majority
of them do work that is absolutely NOT constructive They
other help to those that are trying to
cheat them That is the business of great majority Of
them.
1t is of necessary business. For with COM
neTce Dased largely on Struggle, 1ar and UNFAIR lawyers
that deal with cheating are necessary
1t is NOT necessary, however that they should take
too seriously the business of checking dishonesty For it
is not by any means important dgnifed.
In the new kind of lawyer running great business or
industry contributing not only the legal knowledge to keep
it off the rocks but the business knowledge make it
successful you have constructive power of the first
order for instance Judge Gary lawyer and head of the
biggest industrial in the world Mr. Babst an
other lawyer who manages both legally and ndustriay
the great sugar company Levy Mayer of Chicago who
has been chief constructive creating force in half dozen
industries and many others
There is very great ability in the legal profession
greater perhaps than in any other professions COM
bined But much of this ability unfortunately is wasted
&c into fbo do 70 1oldb