Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1922-09-13
hearing the arbiter frankly told the
disputants the impression their testi-

the views he entertained as result.
He did this so that the contending
factions could correct any erroneous
views he might have unintentionally
harbored. The next day, after hav-
ing carefully weighed both sides of
the case, the arbiter made final de-
cisior that proved satisfactory to
both parties. 1t was in the nature of
a friendly compromise.
Another distinct feature of the
New York arbitration court is that
Narbiters serve without compensation
unless fee is stipulated beforehand
and agreed to by the contracting
parties. The latter can select their
own arbiter or Judge, or, jointly, can
ask the Arbitration Society to name
one who is satisfactory to both sides.
Many prominent lawyers and bust
ness men have volunteered their SER
vices as arbiters. The society makes
only a nominal charge for the use OF
it's court-rooms, equipment and SER
vices in securing arbiters, conduct
ing the hearings, etc. In that way
the cost to the disputants is trifling
as compared with the usual heavy
costs in money, time wasted, anxiety,
ETC., in court litigation. The society,
it's officers or it's members cannot
profit financially. Their object is to
render service, not only to the gen.
eral public but to the courts as WELL
Until the organization is entirely
self-supporting, it's expenses will be
betrayed by unsolicited donations
from public spirited individuals,
firms and organizations. The head
quarters of the society are at 115
Broadway.
The arbitration court will by no
means confine itself to trade differ
ences; its services are open to all in
dividuals and the public in general
OF course, the New York arbitration
court can only handle cases within
it's jurisdiction, but as similar courts
are opened in other states they will
be available to the citizens of those
states. 1t is first necessary to have
uniform state arbitration laws. AS
the New York statue is the first of its
kind, it was drawn up with consid-
cradle care and is regarded as
model for the other states to copy.
To most people an ordinary law
suit is a thing of horror; it is some
thing to be avoided-if that is posi-
BILE Besides, most court action in
wolves so much red tape that it is a
costly and long drawn out affair at
best Plaintiff and defendant wage
merciless battle in airing their diff
ferences before civil tribunal,
whether it is a Judge or jury. A
judgment may not only cost lot
money but it can lead to dire conse-
quences. Not infrequently both sides
suffer; the vanquished is prone to
harbor resentment, and often the
verdict fails to satisfy the claimant.
In such an outcome, the two oppo-
nents brood over their scars and
nurse the hatred bred in the con-
fict. Legal proceedings have swept
away many fortunes, and, worst of
all, they have ruined many reputa-
lions and destroyed lifelong friend
ships. One of the biggest factors in
this connection is the unwelcome
publicity that goes hand-in-hand
with court action. If the truth were
always told it would not be so bad,
but the reports that reach the public
are often biased and make them
Jump at conclusions which often
work injury to an innocent party.
All instruments devised by man
have some defect. Law is no excep
ton to the rule. According to the
popular idea, justice is supposed to
triumph at all times. Such is not al.
ways the case; there are many
travesties of justice. In this day of
multitudinous laws many loopholes
are open to those who can employ
brilliant legal talent. Even after a
vel dict is secured, the lawyers can,
by recourse to appeals and what-not,
prolong a case almost indefinitely, or
until the opponent, especially ii he is
of poor means, withdraws in disgust.
Then, too, so many new laws are en-
acted each year that no individual
lawyer can hope to keep abreast OF
this tide. That is why the more
legal counsel one has the more
chance there is to dig up some tech
nicality that will clog the wheels of
justice. Not only has this bewilder-
ing mass of statutes and decisions
made legal practice cumbersome, but
it has opened up an endless avenue
Of procedure for pleadings, protest
ing, postponements arguments, ETC.,
hands of the INSCRIPTIONS, can be
used to cloud issues, befuddle juries
and breed delays that will eventually
weaken the strongest case. Very
often those with righteous causes
would rather withdraw from the con-
test altogether than endure the fl
nancial drain and mental strain of
protracted litigation. And the shys-
ter lawyers who prey on poor un-
fortunates know this and take ad
vantage of it.
The arbitration court is expected
to do away with many of these evils.
If given support, the Arbitration So
ciety promises to greatly reduce the
volume of court litigation and insure
to the public-frms and individuals
alike-a speedy administration of
justice at vast saving in time,
money and worry. In a word, the
laws delays" which now in so many
cases constitute a real denial OF