The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-02-17
Lawyer Owes a Duty

yer? Probably there are a lot of answers to that question. Earl w. Evans of Wichita, Kan, president of the American Bar Association, supplied one version Tn a recent speech before Harvard Law School students Here is the program he suggested for budding lawyers: Make speeches which show that you know the Jaw; go to church so that the best cltl- zens" will see you; take part in public affairs; join the Chamber of Commerce and a service organization; get known as a public-spirited citizen; be man of strong convictions; engage in bill collect ing, as that's good way to make con- tacts; join bar associations; get thor ough knowledge of accounting, engineer ing, and chemistry.
 As a guide book for fledgling attorneys, this is probably very handy bit of ad- vice. But to the layman it is rather re- markable for the things that it does not say. The modern lawyer often gets ln very peculiar dilemma. His duty to his client, and to himself, can cut directly across his duty to society as whole. He doesn't perform his functions in vacu- um, but in highly complex and deli cately integrated society where his deeds can have effects that be neither desired nor foresaw.
 The lawyer, for instance, who special izes in keeping gangsters out of Jall eventually may, through no wish of his own, fill role which is actively anti social. The lawyer who advises great financiers how to evade income tax pay ments and sidestep government regula- tions designed to control the activities of high finance can become man who does society much more harm than good.
 The lawyer who shows stock specula- tor how he can get around the rules which cover stock exchange activities can be- come something little better than para site on society. This peculiar criss-cross- ing of the lawyers public and private duties raise a complex problem which, so far, the legal profession hardly has at- tempted to solve Advice to budding lawyers - so the laymen would suppose - might properly touch on it little.
 One thing that cessation of CWA activities will disturb is the archaeology discoveries being made. When the CWA was first discussed there was no thought that it might contribute to our knowledge of the early inhabitants of this country. Yet that is just what it has done in cer- tain sections. Excavations have brought to light many finds which constitute a link between the dim ages of North America and the present enlightened @ one. A town in Florida believed to have been visited by the Spanish explorer, De Soto, in 1539, was recently uncovered. Another town has been laid bare in North Carolina. Scientists from the Smithson- ian Institute are heading these expedi~ tions and readily admit that the discov- cries are most important from an arche- ological and historical viewpoint. An Indian mound near Macon, Ga, is also giving up the treasures it has concealed for many years, perhaps centuries. It is claimed to have been the site of an old Hitchiti village Out in California the story of the Yokut Indians is being traced from diggings. In Tennessee in addition to seeking aboriginal relics those of the Civil War period are also sought for eagerly by the CWA men, who show as much enthusiasm as the directors.