Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-09-02
NEWSPAPER VALUE
TO LAWYERS TOLD
BY N. Y. ATTORNEY

Detroit, Sept. /. (APl-Closer se-
lations between bar associations Of
the country and the press were
urged by julius Henry Cohen of New
York in his address as chairman.
opening the conference of bar as
sociation delegates 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 organ
lied as is the profession of medicine,
or even as ours is, though as we have
pointed out, our own organization is
still in the making. Newspaper pub
fishers are men of business. News
paper editors are beginning to evolve
just now form of associational ac-
tivity. The serious attempt made
last year to bring about a formal
relationship between the two pro-
LESSONS was unsuccessful. The two
professions are not yet properly
organized for formal cooperation.
There must be cooperation between
the press and the bar, but for some
time to come it will be cooperation
of different kind
Mr.. Cohen referred to a committee
sreport 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
provement of machipery for the ad-
ministration of justice, for the
undermining of legal institutions. for
the maintenance of high character
qualifications for admission to the
bar, and for the disciplining of those
who offend, are all matters about
which each state bar organization
will And the press of its state only
too willing to inform Che public and
to aid in the formation Of supporting
public opinion" the speaker con-
tinued.
1.-The modern newspaper has 60
many fields to cover, the changes
taking place from day to day are so
Kaleidoscope, that no newspaper, no
matter how well informed or how
well organized, can keep abreast Of
the activities of the bar associations
Of the country unless those activities
are brought to It's attention. Every
state bar association should have d
committee whose business 1t 10 to
see that the press of its state IL kept
fully informed Of associational ac-
tivities.
THE. suggestion recently made by
Don CSSeitz of the New York World.
that in every bar association there
be created Bureau of Correct In
formation, Is valuable one. Such
bureau could furnish the press with
correct information regarding pend
ing cases, the issues involved and
decisions rendered. Conducted by a
bar association and speaking in It's
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-expioita-
ton or advertisement. The existence
of such a bureau would in itself
prevent error from occurring in the
first instance, provide for its cor
rection if 1t did occur, and avoid its
repetition.
The modern newspaper Is keen
for news-all news. There is much
news, much interesting news in
litigated 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-
ment, his bar association can,
through its own bureau, bring 1t 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-
EiSerS