Page:North Dakota Law Review Vol. 1 No. 2 (1924).pdf/6

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BAR BRIEFS

influences. Justice Cropsey says that the young criminal is easily led into radicalism, a fact which shows that his predisposition to crime is in part an outgrowth of his political and economic education.

"The situation presents a major problem for the consideration of the responsible leadership of the country."

The foregoing is from an American Exchange National Bank letter. It may not be amiss, therefore, to point out possible sources of inspiration. We point to some testimony taken by the Lusk Committee in New York a few years ago:

"Q. Do you mean that they teach the children to disregard the law? A. I mean that our attitude towards the child would be for him to take his position in regard to the law.

"Q. Then, according to the teachings, a child might arrive, however, at a conclusion that a particular law, being offensive to his ideals, he could disregard it although it is the law? A. If he was prepared to take the consequences. That is up to the child.

"Q. If they are prepared to take the consequences, they are at liberty to feel that they may disregard the specific statutes of the United States? A. If they are prepared to act and take the consequences of their acts, if they are prepared to act according to their consciences and take the responsibility for their acts, that would not be out of harmony with the teachings of the Ferrer School."

Do you wonder that the valedictory peroration of one of the students read like this?

"In the great world-wide struggle which is taking place today, we must take an active part. We must not fail, we must not falter. The ideals which inspired Marx and Engels, Bebel and Lassalle, the ideals which today inspire Debs and Lenine (now deceased), are the ideals which inspire us."


UNIFORM INTERPRETATIONS OF CANONS OF ETHICS

Members of the Association have doubtless noted, from the publication of the opinions of the Committee on Professional Ethics and Grievances in the Journal, that this committee has begun to avail itself of the added authority given it some time since. A wide field of usefulness has been opened to it. One of the particular advantages which it is hoped will result from the enlarged power of the Committee in respect to problems submitted from state and local bar association, is a gradual unification of the interpretation of the canons of ethics by bar associations throughout the country. Writing on this point, in an article in the July, 1922, issue of the Journal, Chairman Thomas Francis Howe of the Association's committee said:

"Most, if not all, of these local associations have adopted the Canons of Ethics of this Association, and many of the questions which their