The attempts of the present com mittees, who, as we have already explained, are all members of the Kuomintang, no others being cligible, to transform the Bar Associa tion into an agency of that political party form interesting reading. Unoificial proposals were recently made that it should be compulsory for all members of the Association the join the Kuomintang and for this purpose certain members of the committees are known to have distributed - Kuomintang propaganda id_ membership application forms to their fellow-members. Whether these were sent out with the know-edge of the Association as a whole for not, it Is most difficult to ascertain but we have it on good authority that certain members have been approached unofficially and received indirect suggestions to the effect that it would be to their advantage to join the "premier political party of China."
Many, members are strongly opposed to being members of an unofficial Kuomintang agency or any political party and have no hesitation in saying 60, They say very frankly that they do not see the whys and wherefores of the Association's activities in this respect and insist that they should remain aloof from polities. Nevertheless, the attempt has been and still is being made and it will be interesting to see the outcome. From outward appearances, would seem that, so long as the Kuomintang are in power here, s0 ong will attempts be made to coerce members of the Bar Association into joining and so long will it remain a semi-political party. word regarding foreign litigants and their Chinese counsel. Though we have been unable to secure any definite proof, it is well Known that the radical, "down with the "imperialists" members of the Association are trying to get Chi-to refuse to lo, and it-has even suggested that, when they dor they should do 40 ina half-hearted manner 50 as to allow the Chinese party to benefit. outing for Fees "ye Voute at be mies tobvine While -reterring to thie, matter,
the question of fees, There is no set rule in this connection and Inwyers charge as they please: there is nothing to control the Lawyers of repute decline to handi wet below a set fee. But many members of the Bar Association, not satisfied with touting for but ness in a most unprofessional man-which would result in their disbarment in other countries, ba gain with their clients and atten court on contingency fees, some even spending a whole morning: in Court for the paltry aum of $5—and then go about boasting of the manner in which they have unde cut other practitioners, There are many other abuses of which one hears bat we have already mentioned sufficient, If the Bar Association are desirous fof winning the respect and confidence of the community, if they desire to uphold China's' prestige and if they wish to build up a reputable organization as they should be, they must set to work to put their house in order without delay.
Apropos of Chinese lawyers' de. grees, a correspondent writes: called the other day friend of mine at home.
During our conversation my attention was caught by an enormous framed certificate made out by the stating that my ledged lawyer. said, "But, Mr, X., I bad no id that'yoa had ever been in America."
have not," Mr. X. replied. any degree through the corres nce school and they handed me the: certhicate." T do not know what a correspondence school degree is worth, but how are they (the school) ju a position to give aw: certificates from the Chicago Ni versity?
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.