The Ordway new era., 1922-09-01

lessness and discomfort is too much
government rather than necessity for
additional legislation.
Every lawyer is conscious of the
process of centralization. The sphere
of federal activity is constantly ex-
panding and federal agencies are being
rapidly multiplied. The states and
their subdivisions have been repressed,
until the last stronghold of local au-
thority, the police power, is threatened
by federal encroachment.
''The disease which affiicts the body
polite is so complicated that the pa
tient cannot describe the symptoms
and the doctors cannot correctly dag
nose the illness. Nothing is worse
needed than a cure for the prevailing
neurotic fanaticism which manifests
Itself In clamorous calls for legislation
which in the long run must prove
harmful rather than beneficial
approximately 10000 written stat
utes, including municipal ordinances.
are applicable TO the government of
the conduct of citizens in the various
municipalities. The public mind would
be calmed and comfort and happiness
would be promoted if one-half of these,
judiciously selected, were repealed.
"The fanatical tendency toward ex-
cessive law making is demonstrated by
the Introduction during the last session
of congress of 1910 bills in the house
of representatives and 5,O52 in the sem
ate, making a total of 81 ,222, not
including resolutions and joint resolu-
tions to the number of about 1000.
"a sane program for the restoration
of whole-hearted confidence in the
government might well include the
following policies:
More deliberation in the enactment
Of laws and the repeal of unnecessary,
vexatious, and admittedly unpopular
statutes.
"The simplification of all laws con-
tinued In force. Federal revenue acts.
especially income-tax provisions, are
notable instances of complex statutes
which no one subject to them fully
understands.
"Rigid and impartial enforcement as
the surest means of compelling tie
repeal of obnoxious statutes and Of
creating a spirit of obedience to law:
1.-The notoriously frequent, and In
some localities open. violations, of the
national prohibition act are creating
spirit of contempt for law and are
tending to convert the American peo-
pie into nation of lawbreakers. The
Inauguration of national prohibition
was premature in the sense that public.
sentiment in many communities did
not approve it, and wherever that was.
true it has been difficult, almost Inn !.
possible, to enforce the law. Never:
theless, while the National Constitu-
tion and statutes provide prohibition.
there is no honorable course to advO-
cate or pursue save rigid and Impair
tial enforcement.
1.-The creation of higher standards of
public duty for the citizen and the
officer as the certain means of destroy
ing the power of organized selfishness
now threatening to dominate the gov
ernment.
IAN intelligent and comprehensive
study of the various phases Of indus
trial life with view to the establish
ment of just tribunals for the investi-
CATION and adjustment of disputes
likely to result in strikes and lockouts-
"a nationwide campaign, led by
lawyers, to refine the administration
Of justice as the surest means OF
stabilizing our civilization and Of per-
petuating high ideals In American
citizenship"