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Memorandum in re Corpus jun's
71
We believe that a large group of ex perts should be employed, but that in
might by any possibility arise, such as in matters of classification, the space
order properly to co—ordinate the activi
to be assigned particular subjects, the
of all those collaborating there
method of treatment of mooted points
should be highly centralized executive and editorial control, with sufficient
in the law, etc., etc.,—in fact, the making
power to enforce proper proportion, clas
editorial matter. As explained here after, they are to have the best expert advice and assistance obtainable, and we would expect at least three or four
ties
sification, system, method and style in every department of the work. Dr. Andrews, Dean Kirchwey and I after numerous conferences have worked out a plan which we believe to be prac tically workable, an essential element
of success,—a plan which in our judg ment should bring to the profession in
the near future that for which the call has gone out now at intervals for more than a century, but which has never been answered, yet the need of which is more apparent today than at any
other period in our history. The plan in outline is as follows:—
We propose to block out with the ablest expert advice obtainable the entire field of the law under a logical system of classification, so that when the work is
published, the law on any particular point may readily be ascertained. BOARD OF EDITORS.
Our plan,
of this Board of Editors supreme in every
of this Board to devote their entire time to the work, and all to attend sessions
whenever necessary. ASSOCIATE BOARD OF ED ITORS. We also propose to form with the aid of the central group of editors, an Associate Board of Editors, to con
sist of about twenty, each to represent the best the law-schools have in the way of experts in particular departments of the law. These men must also re ceive such compensation aswill command
the services of the ablest men in every department of the law. The chief function of a member of this Associate Board of Editors would be the preparation of the text on the particular topic or branch of the law assigned him. It would no doubt also be feasible to form small advisory
stated more in detail, is to associate a Board of Editors not exceeding seven men—the ablest to be found in America, so situated that they can undertake the
groups upon particular topics, the same to be composed of the ablest men in the
work (such as the late James Barr Ames of Cambridge and John H. Wigmore of
nized experts in particular branches.
profession, who either as practitioners, authors or teachers, have become recog After the system of classification, etc.,
Chicago, whom I mention merely as
has been outlined by the Editors, and
types). The criterion for selection must be that each is the best expert obtain
the Associate Board been formed, it
able for the particular class of work to
tem of classification most thoroughly
would be called into session and the sys
be represented and directed by him, and
examined, and revised wherever neces
each must receive whatever compensa tion is necessary to command the best
authoritative control over every editorial
sary as a result of the deliberations of the combined editorial forces, aided by an Advisory Council, concerning which I shall speak in a few moments. Our plan is not to ask the Associate
matter about which differences of opinion
Board of Editors to give up their law
services in every field.
Our plan in
volves vesting in this Board final and
