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General Welfare and Industrial Prosperity

The most progressive communities of the United States are the ones that have the most delicate tasks of adjustment between old forms of government and new problems of social security and economic justice. Because the Illinois Municipal League is made up of representatives of the cities of one of the most progressive states of our Union, I have welcomed this opportunity to discuss with you some of the problems that vex all progressing administrations, whether federal, state, or city.

Monopolies and the Courts

There is general agreement on the part of business men and their lawyers, as well as in government circles and among the consuming public, that the Antitrust Laws should be revised. But the group which speaks for the business interests is not motivated, in its desire for revision, by the same considerations as the others, nor does it have in view the same objective or seek to reach the same result in modifying the present enactments.

Compulsory Incorporation of the Bar from the Country Lawyer’s Viewpoint

The proposed compulsory incorporation of the bar has awakened little interest in the country lawyer and his voice has been unheard in the debate that preceded and followed the introduction of the measure. As the conditions under which I practice are more rural than urban, I approach this discussion from the viewpoint of the country lawyer.

Call for a Liberal Bar

The history of progress in society is a story of struggle for better law. We do not achieve improvement merely by recording a vote of the people. Their action must be reduced from political principle to a legal rule or an institution. It has been one of the tasks of lawyers to translate the aspirations of our people into law, and into living institutions. In this their function has been vital to progress, and the call for their service is a continuing one.

It’s Up to Us

The American people must choose whether they wish to be ruled by laws or lawyers- legislation or litigation. The first series of alternatives is preferable because it accords with our tradition and needs, but unless both bar and bench move to regain popular trust and prestige, they will lose the only kind of leadership which counts in a democracy- the direction of moral and social forces which underlies human happiness and progress.

Philosophy of Big Business

As students of political science we must try to understand the philosophy of big business. Unfortunately, no acknowledged business leader has formulated its doctrine or been its spokesman in the sense that Marx spoke for socialism, Lenin for communism and Jefferson or Roosevelt for democracy.

Farmers and Anti-Trust Law

The antitrust law is an American invention. Those interests which try to discredit all distasteful legislation by labeling it as "an alien influence" cannot so characterize our laws against monopoly. If any trace of foreign influence can be found it is abhorrence of monopoly and a policy to restrain it.

Why a College Education?

Perhaps you have heard about the College Executives who were discussing what they wanted to do after retirement age. One hoped to run a prison or school of correction, so the alumni would never come back to visit. Another chose to manage an orphan asylum so he would not be plagued with advice from parents.

Founders Day address at University of North Carolina

In this spirit let us examine our Constitution as a chart to control administration of our organized society. Our forefathers never expected finally to solve the social and economic problems of their own day, much less those of all days to come, in the 4500 words of the original instrument. The chief purpose was to devise mechanics and to create a form of political organization, so that questions as they arise might always be answered by a peaceful method, and by a democratic process.

Should the Antitrust Laws Be Revised?

For forty years the United States has had a statue that appears to condemn every combination which restrains trade. Its general language might include almost any combination, trade association, or industry. But we have court decisions which make possible a plausible legal defense of almost any combination in restraint of trade. What business conduct the resulting law will really reach has become our major governmental mystery.