Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-02-24
n ASSOCIATION
RAISES STANDARD
)loqulrement Of Two Years in
College for Admission Unani-
mousIy Approved
no0T PLEADS FOR RULE
BY the Associated Press

Washington. Feb. 24.-The national
& UBnference Of bar associations today
ADOPTED resolutions recently approved
! " the American Bar Association recon-
mending that in the future two years
eollege training shall be required of all
law school graduates before admission
10 the bar.
The vote was practically unanimous,
and came after stirring address by
Elihu Root. who. when strong opposi-
zion appeared, mounted the speakers
stand and appealed for ''the salvation
Of the American Bar from the black
mailer and crook, who Is creeping into
che legal ranks under present condi-
tions.
Assertion that men are holding high
legal Offices and even sitting on the
bench in the United States who have
no conception of the basic principles
Of English law, was made by George
w. Wickersham, former Attorney Cen
eral. in all address today before the
conference.
These men are called upon to inter-
pret the laws. the former Attorney
General said adding: Il shudder
when I think of the problem confront
ing us.
Discussing the subject before the
conference.-the raising of educational
requirements for bar admisSion--Mr.
Wickersham said there was an in
ereasing number Of under educated men
crowding into the legal ranks in every
city in the country. and that Condi-
tions perhaps were worse in New York
City than elsewhere.
The morning session Of the conference
was opened by William G. MCAdoo,
who urged approval of the recommenda
ton that future law school graduates
, be obliged to have college education.
/, James Byrne of New York. also spoke
In favor of the proposal. while Charles
A. Boston, of New York. and Thomas
Patterson. of Pennsylvania. said law
students should be permitted to prepare
themselves for practice without OBJ
Ggatory obstacles placed in their path.
Lawyers who have won distinction" "
Daid Mr.. MCAdOo, Through native
ability and industry and also have not
had college education, may be ox.
pected naturally to offer with certain
degree of heSitancy, their approval of
the exacting standard which the Amer
lean Bar Association seeks to impose
upon future members of the profession"
The former Secretary of the Treasury
said he had )een unable to go to a law
school, but was obliged at the age of
eighteen to get out into the world and
make his own living. but that the rec
ommendation of the American Bar As.
soiation that future members of the
profession be obliged not only to take
q three-year course in n law school,
but. in addition, have at least two
years college training. was worthy Of
support by all those interested in the
Improvement of legal standards.
The system by which young man
learned law in law office has been
dead for decades. despite the illusion
which still exists. said William Draper
Lewis. former dean of the University of
Pennsylvania School of Law.
Mr.. Lewis offered the following sug-
Eestions. which. he said. If adopted.
would so long way toward remedyins
the present situation
First. State or local courts or State
or local bar associations, as may best
suit particular conditions. TO appoint
legal educational committees.
Second. No person OF whose moral
character the committee is not reason
ably assured to be allowed 10 register
or continue to be registered as a law
student, or to be given the right TO
take a final examination for admission
20 the bar.
Third. All applicants for registration
rs law student 10 be made to the
committee, no applicant to be regis
tered until report has been made con-
cerning him by member of the COM
mittee especially appointed to become
personally acquainted with him.
Effort of the American Bar Associa
tion to have State and city bar as~O-
Citations approve resolution declaring
q college education necessary for future
admission to the bar was denounced by
former Senator Charles s. Thomas OF
Colorado, in an address before the Con-
ference.
Public opinion. Senator Thomas said
would not support such n move, and
s.therc is not Legislature in any
State that will pass Il law such as the
bar association advocates.' If bad
situation is to be corrected, the Senator
said, 'let more rigid rules be inaug
urated governing the examination Of
candidates"