Evening star., 1930-06-22

responsibility of operating the world
1t is true, says owen j. Roberts, newly ap-
pointed justice of the United States Supreme
Court. that the boys of this generation are
better equipped and have more knowledge than
their fathers at the same age. This is merely
their good fortune, not innate and superior
mental ability.
What the Germans call "Zeitgeist"-spirit of
the tmeS-haS given the boys a better start
The waves of education have swept away the
wrecks and debris of antiquated notions and
the boys are carried out into the world ON the
tides Of ideas that reach the hgh-water mark
Of the times
1t is difficult for older men to jettison the
intellectual cargo they acquired in their youth
and which hampers them in swiftly chang
ing Life; but the young men, born in a widely
different era, float along in the current of the
new ideas and start out in life with an ad-
vantage denied to their elders
But" says Justice Roberts, this does not
mean that youth is justified in its egotism.
There is no substitute for experience A lawyer
who knows his trade come into a court
room unprepared and walk away with a victory
against the most brilliant and thoroughly pre-
pared novice at the bar.
The first thing that boy must learn is
that the world can do without him far more
easily than he can do without the world. The
most precious quality which any young man
starting out in life possess is humility.
SS EFT him approach his job in the humble
spirit of who has everything to
learn and who aims to make himself inds-
pensable. Thorough mastery of your business
profession is a prime requisite to success.
1t may seem that the truth of this obServa-
ton is more obvious in regard to the profess
Sions where a mans industry and knowledge
are soon made known to his peers, but 1 be-
heve that the same results will follow in busi-
ness.
you must serve an apprenticeship before
you are of the stuff that is prepared to accept
the opportunity for success. This is true of
any man, dull, average or brilliant; and if the
should happen to be brilliant the COM
bination of comprehensive knowledge and a
hrst-rate intellect make an irresistible force in
any business or profession.
Il completely convinced that assured
power in any field can only be maintained by
grueling and assiduous work in climbing the
lower rungS of the ladder. The footing then
obtained is secure that mans grip can
rarely be shaken
Justice Roberts own career has followed this
path. He has the reputation Of being terrific
worker preparing every case that came into
his care with the utmost thought and metcu-
lOus attention to every detail.
For long time his reputation did not extend
beyond the profession in Philadelphia, but sud-
denly, with his appointment as the Government
counsel in the oil cases. he won immediate
recognition one of the outstanding lawyers
in the United States.
He had been an assistant district attorney
In Philadelphia. teacher and professor in the
University of Pennsylvania Law School for 20
years-always chained to his profession
night and day.
When his opportunity came to demonstrate
his ability before the audience of the Nation
his mastery of the law was complete that
national acclaim came overnight.
'"There is advantage, however" said
Justice Roberts, that the college of my
generation enjoyed which is not generally avail
able To the boys of the current classes.