The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-09-01
LAWYER TELLS.
AID GIVEN BY
NEWSPAPERS
Urges Closer Relations Be-
tween Bar Associations
and the Press

Detroit R-Closcr relations be-
tween bar associations Of the coun-
try and the press were urged by Ju-
liuS Henry Cohen of New York in
his address as chairman. opening the
conference of bar association dele
gates today.
"The progress that has been made
In the formulation Of ethical stand
ards. in the improved machinery and
administration Of the law. in the
raising Of standards for admission
to the bar. could never have been
brought about except through the
cooperation of the press" said Mr..
Cohen. "But the press is not or
ganized as is the profession of medi-
cine. or even as ours IS, though as
we have pointed out, our own or
ganization is still in the making.
Newspaper publishers are men of
business. Newspaper editors are be-
ginning to evolve just now form
.oF associational activity. The scri-
Gus attempt made last year to bring
about a formal relationship between
the two professions was unsuccess-
full. The two professions arc not
yet properly organized for formal
cooperation. There must be cooper
alton between the press and the bar,
but for some time to come it will
be cooperation of different kind"
Mr.. Cohen referred to committee
report to be made which would out
line a plan of cooperation between
the two professions by closer rela-
tionship between the organized bar
in each state and the newspapers
Of that state.
"What the bar is doing in the i'm
ministration Of justice. for the mod
ernizing of legal institutions. for the
maintenance of high character quail
ifications for admission to the bar,
and for the disciplining of those
which each state bar organization
will find the press of it's state only
too willing to inform the public
and to aid in the formation of sup
porting public opinion" the speaker
continued.
1.-THE modern newspaper has so
many fields to cover. the changes
taking place from day to day are so
matter how we'll informed or how
we'll organized, can keep abreast Of
the activities of the bar associations
of the country unless those activities
are brought to its attention. Every
state bar association should have a
committee whose business it is to
see that the press of it's state is
kept fully informed of associational
activities.
"The suggestion recently made by
Don C. Seitz of the New York World.
that in every bar association there
be created Bureau Of Correct In
formation, is a valuable one. Such
a bureau could furnish the press
with correct information regarding
pending cases, the issues involved
and decisions rendered. Conducted
by a bar association and speaking in
its name, there would be no danger
of its improper use. The newspaper
could rely upon receiving disinter-
ested information, uncolored by de-
sire to favor one side or another,
and free from suspicion Of self-ex-
ploitation or advertisement. The ex-
istence of such bureau would in
itself prevent error from occurring
in the first instance, provide for it's
correction if it did occur, and avoid
its repetition.
"The modern newspaper is keen for
news-all news. There is much
news, much interesting news in liti-
gated cases. more than the public
is aware of. But if the lawyer
brings his case to the attention of
the press. he is open to the charge
of self-exploitation. If. however, his
case be one of real interest or mo-
mont hic har association can
through its own bureau, bring it to
the attention of the local press.
The proprieties can be observed, yet
the public is informed"
Mr.. Cohen reviewed the progress
made by the legal profession, its re-
lations with the public, the efforts
to create and maintain standards of
legal education and rules for admis-
sion to the bar that will protect the
public from incompetent legal ad-
s,so